For coffee and liqueur lovers out there, BEWARE, Starbucks liqueur bottles, labeled Starbucks Coffee Liqueur (SCL), have hit the shelves around the nation. Partnered in production with Jim Beam, Starbucks has an agreement with Fortune Brands to distribute the liqueur ONLY to restaurants, liquor stores, and bars. You will not be able to find this at a single Starbucks coffee store. AGAIN – you can’t find this in coffee shops, so do not join the thousands of on-line protesters saying this is targeting the youth.
The day of its release (2.17.2005), many financial companies reported the news – it was a hot topic. Fortune magazine reported that the new liqueur taps into a market that Starbucks has been eyeing for a number of years. Starbucks conducted exhaustive research prior to its production and determined that nearly 50 percent of its patrons already consume coffee liqueurs, “and research shows [Starbucks’] customers are nine times more likely than the national average to drink [coffee liqueur]. This new offering will definitely take a market bite out of the cordial-and-liqueur market, valued at up to $5 billion in the United States.
THE POUR
This liqueur pours an oily, molasses black. There’s nothing but a tasty treat oozing from the shaker-styled black bottle that bears the Starbucks logo.
THE TASTE– A straight shot and with water
I put a shot glass of SCL into my freezer for several minutes until the liqueur started to solidify. This alcohol is only 20% ABV, so you can freeze it – don’t leave a bottle in there for too long. I took the shot glass out of the freezer and after a short minute or two, the SCL started to liquefy. It was at this point I took the shot – and it was a great. The sweetness of the flavoring and the alcohol seemed to still be separated because of the temperature so I got a great feeling of alcohol warmth down to my stomach, whereas the coffee liqueur lingered on my palate and remained there for quite some time. This was a great way to taste the SCL.
SCL with water tastes like SCL with water. I was not a fan of the gentle mix, however, I drink neat whiskey often, so perhaps my tolerance for an alcohol burn is higher. You still get the sweetness of the liqueur, however, the sting of the alcohol is less evident.
Does this taste like Kahlua? Yes and No. They both have the same texture. The SCL has a little more alcohol sting and SCL tastes like Kahlua if you add a lot of espresso. If you like Kahlua and Coffee, this is your answer. If you like Kahlua and Milk, try SCL instead.
HOW TO DRINK IT – other ways to try it
SCL and Knob Creek
I also tried SCL at 1 part SCL and 1 Part Knob Creek and two ice cubes. I stirred the mix together until 1/2 of the ice had melted. The first sip made me raise my eyebrows in amazement – this was actually a great drink. The whiskey flavor and the coffee did not mix as the alcohol warmth of the Knob Creek warmed my throat and belly as the liqueur and coffee texture stuck to the roof of my mouth. You still can taste hints of the whiskey, its oak and spice dancing around with the coffee beans. The ice and SCL cuts the alcohol burn of straight Knob Creek to a perfect amount. I would recommend this mix to anyone. I would substitute Jim Beam Black, however, because it will not cost you as much and you really don’t get to taste the finer points of Knob Creek in the mix. Jim Beam Black is still quite pleasant.
SCL and Coffee
I only have Army-style Taster’s Choice instant coffee lying around from a sample I received in the mail. First, I tasted the coffee and determined that it tasted like instant coffee with no real depth. It was coffee you’d drink with sugar and creamer when you needed a pick-me-up. With about an ounce of SCL to 6 ounces of coffee, the Taster’s Choice became actually enjoyable. But I couldn’t taste any liqueur, so I added another ounce. It was at this point where I could taste just a little alcohol that the coffee is wonderful. The SCL adds the right amount of sweetness to the coffee and the alcohol does what we all drink it for … that warmth. I cannot even imagine how great this would be with a cup of freshly ground darkly roasted coffee.
Starbucks’ Recipes - Starbucks provides recipes with the bottle that are strung around the neck. These recipes are
Raspberry Cooler – Part SCL, 2 Parts VOX Raspberry Vodka, Splash of Soda
Seattle Martini – Part SCL, Part Sweet Vermouth, 2 part Knob Creek
Café Fizz – Part SCL, Part Ronrico Vanilla Rum, Ginger Ale
Café Doppio – Part SCL, Part Irish Cream, 2 Parts Sparkling Water
Vodka Americano – 2 Parts SCL, 3 parts Absolut Vodka Vanilla
It doesn’t surprise me that these recipes match the companies that Fortune Brands already distribute for and that Jim Beam helps produce this liqueur. Starbucks also says try this with milk, ginger ale, or Jim Beam Black.
My recommendation: Experiment! I am a big fan of beers and whiskeys, so that’s where I’m going to lean. I’d even try pouring a little into a Mocha stout or some other heavier beer.
My prediction is that this liqueur will become extremely popular with the coffee AN D spirits drinking crowd. If you drink both at least 2-3 times a week, you’ll like this.
NOTE - This liqueur does not contain Bourbon
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