The holiday season is a time for celebration and festive gatherings. We have fond memories of our mother and aunts enjoying the season’s family gatherings over a few glasses of Tia Maria. To many, like our family, this beloved Caribbean coffee liqueur recipe is a must during the holiday season. Tia Maria, a Cold Brew coffee liqueur, is renowned for its robust character and intricate aromatic profile and stands out in the world of spirits. Crafted meticulously from 100% Arabica coffee beans, sourced from Brazil, it undergoes a patented roasting method and a cold brew extraction process, resulting in a seamless blend of sweetness and smoothness that defines the distinctive taste of Tia Maria.
Primarily designed to elevate the classic Espresso Martini cocktail, Tia Maria’s foundation lies in the rich, roasted flavor of Brazilian Arabica coffee beans. The addition of Madagascar Vanilla not only imparts softness and roundness to the liqueur but also unifies the flavors, providing a lasting impression. The key allure of Tia Maria lies in its artful balance of sweetness and smoothness.
This exquisite liqueur, showcased in a dark amber hue with glimmers of sparkling gold, presents a sensory journey. The nose is greeted by a robust coffee aroma, accompanied by subtle notes of chocolate and pipe tobacco. As the journey progresses, hints of caramelized cane sugar and vanilla emerge, creating a compelling olfactory experience.
On the palate, Tia Maria unveils its complexity. Initially sweet, it swiftly evolves into a harmonious blend, guided by the discreet freshness and acidity characteristic of 100% Arabica coffee beans. This nuanced interplay cleanses the palate, allowing the primary notes of coffee and chocolate to shine, complemented by undertones of cacao, dried fruit, and vanilla.
Tia Maria leaves a lasting impression with a limpid clarity and mild fluidity. The finish is marked by good persistency, with intense closing notes of coffee, vanilla, and cacao. With a medium body and versatile serving options, Tia Maria is best enjoyed neat over ice or as a key ingredient in classic cocktails like the Espresso Martini, White Russian, Irish Coffee, or the refreshing Tia Tonic.
Tia Espresso Martini
1 part Vodka
1 part Espresso
1 part Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Coffee Beans
Fill a martini glass with ice and set aside to chill. Pour Tia Maria, vodka, and espresso into a cocktail shaker. Fill the rest of the shaker with ice. Shake the ingredients together. Empty the martini glass of ice. Pour in the contents of the shaker using a strainer and sieve into the glass. Finish with three coffee beans.
Tia Tonic
1.5 oz Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
3 oz Tonic Water
Grapefruit or Lemon Twist
Simply pour in Q Mixers Tonic Water over ice, add Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, and garnish with a twist of grapefruit or lemon peel.
Tia Flat White Russian
1 oz Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
1 oz Milk
1 oz Jamaican Rum
.25 oz Demerara sugar
1 oz Espresso
Pour the Tia Maria, espresso, rum, and sugar syrup into a shaker. Fill with ice, close the shaker, and tap to seal. Give it a fast, hard shake and strain the contents into a tumbler filled with ice. Finish it by pouring the milk gently on top.
Tia Cold Fashioned
.75 oz Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
1.5 oz Bourbon
.75 oz Cold Brew Coffee
Orange Twist
Fill the glass with ice and add Tia Maria, Bourbon, and Cold Brew coffee. Gently stir and garnish with an orange peel. For an intense flavor express the oil of an orange peel over the glass.
TiaGroni
1 part Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
1 part Gin
1 part Red Bitter
Orange Slice
It’s a classic cocktail with a one-of-a-kind twist. Pour the Tia Maria, Gin, and Red Bitter into a glass of ice. Stir until chilled, and garnish with a slice of orange.
