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By Kristen Kuchar
If you have an appreciation for well-made spirits, chances are you might also value a high-quality cup of coffee in the morning. Colorado distilleries are combining the two to create coffee-laden spirits and coffee liqueurs. Many of these robust beverages are made with local coffee roasters. Here are 10 of the best coffee liqueurs and spirits made in Colorado.
Breckenridge Distillery has crafted an 80-proof espresso flavored vodka. It’s a blend of local decaffeinated espresso and pure maple syrup leaving flavors of vanilla and earthy roasted coffee.
Cafe Miel is the coffee-inspired twist on Branch & Barrel’s classic Honey Barrel Finished Bourbon. Inspired by a partnership with Denver’s own Corvus Coffee Roasters, the coffee bourbon combines the four-year Honey Whiskey and an additional 24 hours of whole roasted beans from a special Corvus blend.
Among the offerings from Lafayette-based DEKI Spirits is a coffee liqueur. It has warm flavors many coffee lovers appreciate — espresso, caramel, vanilla, subtle dark chocolate and toasted nut.
Rum is the base of Denver Distillery’s coffee liqueur. The distillery partnered with Kaladi Coffee Roasters for this Mexican hot chocolate inspiration, with chocolate, cinnamon, pink peppercorn and raw Colorado honey.
Deviation Distilling has a line of Barista Spirits designed for lovers of whiskey and coffee. Americano Whiskey combines bourbon and Guatemalan coffee beans. The Mocha Whiskey includes Brazilian coffee and cocoa. And the Aztec Whiskey is a blend of rye whiskey, Ethiopian coffee, cinnamon and vanilla.
Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse partnered with local coffee roastery Kaladi for their coffee liqueur. For another coffee option, the Coffee Cask Finished Whiskey, made with Bluegrass Coffee Co., is a coffee-forward whiskey with vanilla notes.
Arrosta Coffee Liqueur is a blend of cold brewed Central American coffee beans, Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans and a bit of pure cane sugar. The result is a robust spirit that is recommended with desserts.
The Block Distilling Co. teamed up with Denver-based Novo Coffee for this coffee liqueur. A three-grain, unfiltered vodka is combined with cold brew coffee and an earthy simple syrup. The duo also teamed up with Novo Coffee for a newly launched coffee canned cocktail with dehydrated sugar and extra cold brew.
For its coffee liqueur, Mythology Distillery partnered with Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters. The vodka base was mixed with cold brew coffee resulting in notes of cocoa nibs, malted milk balls and toffee.
Marble Distilling offers two coffee liqueurs – Moonlight Expresso and Moonlight Expresso Reserve. Moonlight Expresso is a blend of locally roasted Guatemalan coffee beans and Ugandan vanilla beans. The Reserve is aged for at least one year, adding a hint of spiciness and smokiness.