Eight easy ways to level up your Espresso Martini game.

For lovers of the bean, there is no sadder time than 3pm, when all the baristas shut up shop. Why Australia? Why? Sure, you can DIY, but it’s never the same, even when you’ve forked out thousands for a big-ass machine. No, post 3pm, you need a different way to get your caffeine. Something that feels more like an aperitif, hence the invention of coffee liqueur. There are as many iterations as Sydney coffee shops (after all, Espresso Martinis are iconic), and just like coffee shops, not all coffee liqueurs are created equal. Some are smooth, some are strong, some are infused, and, of course, they have spirit pairings as varied as vegan milks. Here, we’re highlighting eight coffee-flavoured drinks any espresso-sipper worth their crema needs to know about.

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1. The puritan

Hailing from the NSW Central Coast, Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is from a small distillery making a big splash. With a few gold-medals and a glowing reputation, this is the coffee liquor favoured by coffee purists. There’s no added sweetness or wateryness, it’s bold, just how they like it. Smooth but strong, it’s great in an affogato, Espresso Martini or poured over ice. The robust flavour means a little goes a long way, but when it does empty the bottle’s hidden artwork is revealed. Surprise and delight in one.

2. The coffee whisky a-go-go

Want a solid drink, like, now? Starward Coffee Old Fashioned Cocktail is ready. Made with Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur (see above) and the Melbourne distillery’s own red wine barrel-aged whisky, this drink needs only to be poured. A very Melbournian drink (coffee, whisky), they’ve given it a signature twist, with a zesty homemade orange bitters to balance the strong flavours. When playing host, it makes the perfect digestif, pour it neat or on the rocks. Fancy short tumblers encouraged.

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Jumping Goat Coffee Infused Whisky Liqueur

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3. The happy accident

When a Jumping Goat staff member accidentally syphoned Scotch whiskey into the vodka tank, rather than freaking out, they gave it a try, and guess what? It tasted gooooood. Side note: working in a distillery sounds awesome. The team decided to pair the mixture with cold brew (organic, obvs, it’s made by Kiwis after all), and the resulting Jumping Goat Coffee Infused Whisky Liqueur is a real find and great for a night on the dance floor. Not that it needs to be reserved for dancing, but if you’re planning after-dark adventures (even if it’s 18 rounds of Dungeons and Dragons – no shade), this bottle is a tasty attendee.

4. The bush brew

Nothing tastes like a Seven Seasons liqueur, because there’s nothing else like it. Owned and operated by Indigenous Australians of Larrakia country, their bottles are flavoured with produce from the bush: wattleseed, eucalypts, even green ants. Their Honey & Wattleseed Coffee Liqueur tastes of sweet bush honey and coffee with a soft hazelnut flavour that comes from the native wattleseed. Quite literally a taste sensation, you can enjoy it in cocktails (or desserts) but served neat you really get to absorb the layered flavours. Ten points to Seven Seasons.

Seven Seasons Honey & Wattleseed Coffee Liqueur

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5. The Mexican-inspired

Echuca Distillery may be in Victoria, but their Coffee Agave Liqueur is a tribute to Mexican produce. Mexico is one of the largest exporters of coffee in Latin America, and agave, well that’s their unique spirit. Tequila and mezcal are distilled from agave plants, but like how Champagne can only be made in a particular region of France, Tequila and mezcal have closely guarded regulations that mean they can only be produced in Mexico, everything outside is agave. Echuca Distillery’s take on coffee liqueur is made with their silver agave – young, crisp, clean – and coffee extracts. It’s earthy, a little bit sweet and puts a different spin on your go-to Espresso Martini mix.

6. The non-alc option

Cocktails no longer need alcohol. Lyre’s has proven it time and time again with their range of spirits, but their Non Alcoholic Coffee Originale particularly proves the point. The spirit isn’t just a sans-alcohol copy, it’s something all unto itself. Full-flavoured with high notes of espresso, spice balanced with caramel, toasted nuts and generous vanilla – so if you’re more of a mocha or vanilla latte drinker, this will be right up your alley. Use it for zero alc Espresso Martinis or on the rocks.

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Curatif Archie Rose Espresso Martini cans

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7. The connoisseur can

The perfect Espresso Martini without the fuss. Crafted with Archie Rose Original Vodka (yep, they do more than your favourite gin), these Curatif Archie Rose Espresso Martini cans are surprisingly creamy and rich. The espresso is warming but smooth, and there’s a toffee flavour that peeks through in the most delicious way. It’s the perfect balance of ingredients and, frankly, so darn good you might find you never bother to DIY again.

8. The box batch

Espresso Martinis for the masses. If you have more than eight guests, and want to serve the coffee-lovers fave, you might as well designate yourself as staff for the night, because you won’t get out of the kitchen. Mandatory Spirit Co Boxtails Espresso Martini Cask lets you serve up the most while doing the least. Win. With cold-drip coffee, premium vodka and a slightly bitter caramel kick, it exceeds expectations of what a cocktail from a box can deliver. It’s a really smooth taste and, if you keep the box in the fridge, there’s no need to serve over ice. See, you can do even less and score more host points.

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