Luxardo’s new Decaf Espresso Liqueur allows you to enjoy your favourite espresso cocktail without the stimulants
The espresso martini, which has exploded in popularity over the past few years, is a cocktail usually made with a few simple ingredients vodka, espresso, and some type of coffee liqueur (you can sub tequila or other spirits to change it up if you prefer). But for some people, having a blast of caffeine in the evening (assuming you’re drinking in the evening, no judgment here) is a recipe for a sleepless night. Enter Luxardo‘s new Decaf Espresso Liqueur, made for people who want a unadulterated coffee cocktail without stimulants.
Luxardo is best known as the Italian company behind the premium maraschino cocktail cherries you will find at every upscale bar, but it’s also responsible for a range of spirits. These include several different liqueurs, including Bitter Bianco, Del Santo, Limoncello, and, as of last year, Espresso Liqueur. Decaf Espresso Liqueur is the latest spirit to join the lineup, and according to Luxardo global export director Matteo Luxardo, it was a no-brainer to release a caffeine-free version. “Espresso is not simply a flavor profile,” he said in a statement. “It is one of the most defining expressions of Italian culture . . . Innovation is never about moving away from tradition, it’s about finding new ways to express it. Creating a decaffeinated version of our espresso liqueur allowed us to stay true to tradition and our quality standards while expanding the ways people can enjoy espresso cocktails to their liking in a modern context.”
According to the brand, this decaf liqueur is produced using a multi-step process. The base of the spirit is made from decaffeinated Arabica beans from Brazil, Vietnam, and Uganda, which are roasted, ground, and finally infused over a 25-day period. The point is to mimic a freshly pulled espresso shot by extracting oils from the coffee, which adds notes of “cocoa, subtle sweetness, a medium body, and a smooth, balanced finish.” The final result is almost completely decaffeinated in the same way that NA beer is almost alcohol-free, with just .4 milligrams of caffeine per ounce. It’s bottled at 27 percent ABV and has no colour added.
According to Brian Radics, chief marketing officer at Hotaling & Co. (Luxardo’s importer), Espresso Liqueur has been the fastest-growing expression in the company’s U.S. portfolio. The decaf version is intended for both bars and home use in a variety of cocktails, from the classic espresso martini to an espresso tonic and everything in between. You can find a bottle available now at retailers around the country (SRP US$30), as well as websites like Total Wine.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Luxardo