Tia Maria, Kahlúa, sambuca with espresso, Patrón XO Café
Liqueur-based coffee drinks showcase the versatility of coffee-flavored spirits as both stand-alone ingredients and dynamic cocktail additions. These drinks often use a single liqueur—such as Kahlúa, Tia Maria, or sambuca—paired with espresso, ice, or milk to create simple yet satisfying recipes. Tia Maria and Kahlúa are the most recognized coffee liqueurs, each bringing sweetness, body, and rich coffee notes to any drink. They can be served neat, with milk, or blended into more complex cocktails. In Italy, sambuca is sometimes added to espresso to create a quick, potent pick-me-up with a hint of anise. Patrón XO Café (now discontinued but still popular in recipes) offered a tequila-coffee hybrid that fueled creative cocktails and shots. These drinks are great for minimal-prep indulgence and can be tailored to your preference for sweetness, strength, or creaminess. They’re also popular in brunch cocktails, coffee flights, or casual after-dinner sips.