A liqueur, unlike eaux-de-vie, fruit brandy, and flavored liquors which contain no added sugar, is a type of bottled alcoholic beverage with added sugar and flavor derived from fruits, herbs, or nuts. The typical alcohol volume of a liqueur is between 15% and 55% ABV (alcohol by volume). A coffee liqueur is a kind of liqueur that carries the flavor of coffee.
Coffee liqueur commonly refers to the bottled alcoholic beverage. A liqueur coffee, on the other hand, refers to the cocktail drinks mixing spirits, coffee, and other ingredients.
Coffee liqueur Trivia
- Kahlua, a popular coffee liqueur brand, was first exported to the US in 1940.
- Coffee liqueur was first produced sometime during the 16th century.
- Coffee liqueur is taken as a digestif – this refers to alcoholic drinks served after a heavy meal to help the stomach digest the food.
Coffee liqueur Buying Guide
There are a wide variety of coffee liqueur brands produced in different countries like Costa Rica, Mexica, Spain, Ireland, Cambodia, Nicaragua, and Haiti. The origin of the product seldom matters unless this factor drives your preference in choosing what coffee liqueur brand to buy and drink. Experienced bartenders and mixologists have developed an acute sense of taste when it comes to alcohol. There are several articles you can find online on which brand of coffee liqueur they prefer for a particular mix or cocktail, and why this is a reasonable choice.
Coffee liqueur Production & Farming in Texas
The coffee liqueur industry in Texas is a good story about the enterprising spirit and sense of community of Texans. Still Austin Whiskey Co. decided to expand its product line and it now has its own coffee liqueur brand: Delevante Coffee. It is not just the company that is earning, but its neighbor as well – literally – because Still Austin Whiskey Co. sources its coffee beans from a fellow local business: Spokesman Coffee. It is the same enterprising spirit that led to the opening of Remington Family Distillers, makers of the coffee liqueur brand Caffe del Fuego. The same sense of community is at play here, since Remington Family Distillers relies on Austin Roasting Company for its roasted coffee beans. Another Texas-made coffee liqueur brand shows creativity in mixing flavors. Texas Dulce Coffee Liqueur is described as coffee mixed with moonshine and cactus. Sounds awful because of the thorny facade of the prickly pear but the drink is delicious, without question.
Pesticides, Additives, and Chemicals:
To date, no coffee liqueur brand is yet to be exposed for using additives aside from the normal ingredients found in a coffee liqueur. Unlike other alcoholic drinks like sake which is produced using just the basic ingredients and is altered with the use of additives, coffee liqueur is a mixture of different ingredients many of which serve a specific purpose with regards to flavor, taste, and color. There is no such thing as pure coffee liqueur, unlike sake, which qualifies all ingredients as necessary ingredients and making it difficult and tricky to label which among those are additives.
Packaging:
Coffee liqueur is sold in a glass bottle sometimes placed inside a box or metal tin can. coffee liqueur bottles vary in size and shape for different brands. Coffee liqueur products also vary in label design and box design. When coffee liqueur companies release special edition bottles, the design of the packaging is usually different from the design of the packaging of regular coffee liqueur. Some coffee liqueur packaging is just plain while other gin companies have intricately-designed coffee liqueur packaging, which is oftentimes part of the overall branding strategy of a coffee liqueur brand. Kahlua has a very distinct and noticeable packaging, from the shape of the bottle to the artwork of the label.
Enjoying Coffee liqueur
There are many ways to drink coffee liqueur. If you want to spike your coffee on a very cold day, a coffee liqueur is a good choice. Many easy-to-make and yummy cocktail drinks use coffee liqueur as the primary ingredient, like espresso martini, white russian, black russian, and old fashioned.
Storage:
Store a bottle of coffee liqueur in a cool, dry area. Do not put it close to direct heat, and also do not put it where it is exposed to direct sunlight, because exposure to high temperature can adversely affect the quality of the coffee liqueur inside the bottle. After opening the bottle, make sure you put the bottle cap back and close it firmly to secure the liquid inside the bottle. Coffee liqueur is an alcoholic beverage, so make sure you keep this away from the reach of children and minors.
Make your own White Russian
This is a good way of saying adult milkshake. The taste of cream, the flavor of coffee, and the mild, bitter kick of vodka together form a very delicious concoction. This is why white russian has become a staple cocktail in many bars. If you see the swirling colors of black, brown, and cream white on a glass, you immediately (and instinctively) know this will taste good.
Yield:
This recipe yields one glass of white russian.
Ingredients:
- Coffee liqueur, 1 ounce
- Vodka, 2 ounces
- Heavy cream, 1 splash
Method:
Step 1. Put ice on a rocks glass
Step 2. Pour the vodka
Step 3. Pour the coffee liqueur
Step 4. Top with heavy cream
Step 5. Lightly stir to mix
