Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liquer

Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is a 25% ABV coffee liqueur from New South Wales, built around cold-brewed coffee rather than the roasted-and-sweetened extracts behind many older coffee liqueurs. The producer describes it as made with specialty-grade Arabica beans, and it has a pronounced coffee aroma with a sweetness that is moderate rather than syrupy. Cold extraction usually gives a smooth, low-acid cup with chocolate and roasted-nut character, so expect that sort of profile here. The 25% strength is also a little higher than the 20% typical of many sweeter coffee liqueurs, which lets the coffee come through more firmly in mixed drinks. Its best-known use is the Espresso Martini. Shake it with vodka and a fresh shot of espresso, and because the liqueur already carries a lot of coffee flavor, you can usually leave out any extra sugar syrup. Shaking hard gives the drink its foam. The same bottle works well in a White Russian, where it replaces the usual coffee liqueur in the vodka-and-cream build. It also suits a Black Russian, which is just vodka and liqueur over ice. For a lighter long drink, pour it over ice and top with tonic or soda. The bitterness of tonic balances the sweetness and brings out the roast. Served neat, it does well as an after-dinner pour. Use a small tumbler or cordial glass, either at cool room temperature or over a single large ice cube to slow dilution. A splash of cream or milk over ice turns it into a simple dessert drink. You can also pour it over vanilla ice cream, in the style of an affogato, or stir a measure into a hot or iced coffee for a stronger cup. Chocolate, hazelnut desserts, tiramisu and salted caramel all suit its flavor. Once opened, keep the bottle sealed and out of direct heat and sunlight so the coffee aroma holds up. Chilling it in the fridge before serving is optional, but it makes the liqueur taste a little tighter and less sweet.