The market for quality coffee liqueur mirrors the increased focus on flavor in coffee production.

Where once the coffee taste was a mild, complementary aspect of this liqueur style, for many contemporary distillers the coffee used and method of extraction are the key to their product.

You may find that a brand’s focus on cold brew press production, premium beans, and an espresso coffee flavor is more important than traditional sweet, smooth, and creamy characteristics.

While old favorites are still the most popular liqueurs, new entrants are creating craft liqueur of great quality at inexpensive price points aimed squarely at the coffee lover and not your gran.

The following collection of coffee liqueurs mix up creamy, chocolate-oriented spirits, with those geared toward the hardcore espresso bean enthusiast moonlighting with a martini glass rather than a coffee cup.

Best Buy

1. Bailey’s Irish Cream

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Choosing another option to Bailey’s would have meant my mom, and my mother-in-law would have banded together to destroy my life. For them, and many others, there’s nothing better to drink than Bailey’s Irish Cream.

You could make the argument that Bailey’s Original is not strictly a coffee liqueur, but I don’t think it matters with all the different versions available.

The blend of spirits, whiskey, Irish dairy, and chocolate uniquely preserves the classic taste of the Irish cream and is perfect in a hot coffee or chocolate, or for use in a decadent dessert.

The popularity of Baileys Irish Cream has spawned a lot of knock-offs and imitators, while you can also get alternative Bailey’s editions that range from indulgent red velvet or salted caramel to espresso and Almande.

2. Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffe Liqueur

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Mr. Black is a blend of speciality Arabica coffee beans and Australian wheat vodka that zigs where other, sweeter coffee liquor brands zag.