Evil Bean Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

EVIL BEAN Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is a California-made coffee liqueur bottled at 20% ABV, about 40 proof. That puts it at the lighter end of the category, so the alcohol won't flatten the coffee character the way it can in higher-proof bottlings. The label points to cold-brew extraction rather than hot-brewed espresso. Cold brewing typically gives a smoother, lower-acid cup with notes of chocolate, roasted nut, and caramelized sugar instead of sharp bitterness. Expect that general profile here, along with the sweetness a liqueur base brings. The producer describes the base as smooth and rich, so plan on a fuller, rounder texture than a straight spirit. Sweetness is the main thing to plan around. Coffee liqueurs generally sit somewhere between dessert-sweet and moderately sweet. The roasted bitterness of the coffee keeps the sugar from reading as cloying, but it still behaves like a sweetener in a recipe. When you build a drink with it, cut back on added simple syrup or sweet vermouth, and let a splash of something bitter or acidic, such as a dash of aromatic bitters or an espresso shot, balance the glass. The most direct use is the Espresso Martini. Shake roughly equal parts vodka and this liqueur with a fresh shot of espresso and plenty of ice, then strain into a chilled coupe so the crema forms a foam on top. A White Russian is just as simple: pour about 2 parts vodka and 1 part liqueur over ice in a rocks glass, then float cream or whole milk. Swap the vodka for rum or aged tequila if you want more warmth. A Black Russian leaves out the cream and keeps the coffee prominent. In a Mudslide or a milkshake-style blended drink, the liqueur supplies both sweetness and roast. For sipping, serve it neat in a small glass at cool room temperature, or pour 1.5 to 2 ounces over a large ice cube so it dilutes slowly. A longer drink works too: top the liqueur with tonic or soda water over ice and add an orange peel, and the bitterness of the coffee comes forward. It also suits dessert. Pour it over vanilla ice cream for a quick affogato-style finish, or add a spoonful to tiramisu or chocolate brownies. Because of the 20% ABV, a bottle opened and kept sealed in a cool cupboard should stay in good shape, though a few weeks in the fridge can help keep the coffee flavors fresh if cream-based drinks are your main use.