It’s coffee time! To kick off National Coffee Week – which runs from September 29 – October 5th – we are checking in with over 20 venues across the country that will be serving up Mr Black cocktails to celebrate one of our new favorite weeks of the year.
To take our morning latte and crank it up a notch, we turned to the man behind Mr Black, Tom Baker, Managing Co-Founder the leading craft coffee liqueur in the United States.
“Coffee itself has changed,” Baker tells Thirsty. “The coffee that people drink now is very different in comparison from that of 10 or 20 years ago. There is a coffee renaissance happening out on the street, and none of that was making its way into the bar. Mr Black’s mission is to take craft coffee into the night.” As the bar industry explores the flavor profile of coffee, the opportunities are endless. Whether it’s a caffeinated riff on a cocktail classic like a Coffee Negroni or a Cold Brew Old Fashioned, or exploring new flavors with more tropical ingredients such as rum and pineapple.
“Coffee cocktails are popular where coffee culture is booming,” Baker adds. “As specialty coffee becomes a part of the culinary zeitgeist, it naturally finds its way onto cocktail menus. Since the start of Mr Black five years ago, we saw the dual rise of coffee culture and craft distilling, and it’s really culminating now with the incredible coffee cocktails being offered at top venues worldwide.”
And with the rising popularity of coffee cocktails, the celebration is now going from a single day to seven. “Last year, we celebrated National Coffee Day (Sep 29) and International Coffee Day (Oct 1),” says Kristina Marino, US Marketing Director for Mr Black. “But this year we thought, coffee deserves more than two days so let’s celebrate all week long. And is there any better way to celebrate than with craft coffee cocktails?!?” We couldn’t agree more.
National Coffee Week kicks off at every Broken Shaker around the country (hint: try Coffee Service) along with a slew of other hot spots in New York, LA, Chicago, Texas, San Francisco and San Diego.
La Conchita at Ace DTLA, Los Angeles
Frozen cocktail at Best Girl Rooftop running for the duration of National Coffee Week, the La Conchita is made with Mr Black, Ancho Reyes, Licor 43, California Spice Liqueur, Stumptown Cold Brew and Heavy Cream.
929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015; www.acehotel.com/losangeles/ @acedtla
Coffee Service at Broken Shaker, all locations
Image: Charles Roussel
Available at all Broken Shaker locations across the US – LA, Miami, Chicago and NYC – this shareable cocktail is made with Mr Black, OFTD, Tawny Port, Cold Brew and mole bitters, served in moka pots with an orange twist.
Also being served is the High Life, with Mr Black, Jagermeister, mango puree, Makrut lime leaf agave and lime juice over crushed ice with a mint sprig and dried mango, the Spro-groni made with Mr Black, aged Aguardiente rum, mezcal, campari and mole bitters on the rocks with a grapefruit twist and the Coffee Culture, a blend of Mr Black, Rhum J.M. White, dry curacao, anise orgeat, lemon juice and Angostura bitters, over crushed ice with mint, orange and coffee beans to garnish.
All locations (NYC, Chicago, Miami + Los Angeles); @brokenshaker
Mambo #5 at The Williamsburg Hotel, Brooklyn
Try the Mambo #5, with Mr Black, Starward Whiskey, Kronan Punsch, Combier Cream de Banana or go for the Classic Espresso Martini made simply with Mr Black, vodka and espresso.
96 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11249; 718-362-8100; www.thewilliamsburghotel.com; @wburghotel
Lure Fishbar, NYC
At this Soho restaurant, the Cold Brew Espresso Martini with Mr Black, Vodka and espresso is simple but delish. Or spice things up with the Mezcal Espresso Martini made with Mr Black, Pierde Almas Mezcal, Espresso and black salt or the Mocha Espresso Martini, a mix of Mr Black, Vodka, Tempus Fugit Creme de Cacao, Espresso and chocolate cigarette.
142 Mercer St., New York, NY 10012; 212-431-7676; www.lurefishbar.com; @lurefishbar
Up & Up, NYC
A full flavor experience, the Pickwick Me Up made with Mr Black Cold Brew Liquor, Ten to One Dark Rum, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice, Pineapple, and Fennel.
116 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012; 212-260-3000; www.upandupnyc.com; @theupandupnyc
Coffee Margarita at Dosa on Fillmore, San Francisco
A creative blend of Mr Black, tequila, spiced agave and cocoa, the Coffee Margarita is the one to get at Dosa. Other options include the Cold Brew Negroni with Mr. Black, Campari, and Bourbon and the Cup of Caffeine, a simple mix of Mr. Black & House-Made Madras Coffee
1700 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115; 415-441-3672; www.dosasf.com; @dosasf
Absinthe, San Francisco
Be sure to try the Brewed Awakening with Mr Black and Irish whiskey served in a Collins glass and topped with tonic and a dollop of whipped cream and the Smoking Joe with Mr Black, Mezcal, Martini and Rossi Bitters, Lemon Juice and Ginger Syrup, served in a coupe with lemon wheel and three coffee beans.
398 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102; 415-551-1590; www.absinthe.com; @absinthesf
Rooftop 25, San Francisco
Made with Mr. Black, Beluga Vodka, Leche Condensada, French-pressed Coffee and House-Made Averna Whipped Cream, the Frozen Espresso Martini is a decadent boozy treat in a glass. Another option is the Cold Brew Old Fashioned made with your choice of either Bulleit Rye or Tanqueray Gin; Mr. Black, Honey Syrup and Mole Bitters or the Black & Tonic which is just – as the name suggests – Mr Black & Tonic.
25 Lusk St., San Francisco, CA 94107; 415-495-5875; www.25lusk.com; @25lusk
Knotty Barrel, San Diego
The Iced Knotty Coffee with Mr Black, Whiskey, Coffee, and Irish Cream, The Oaxacan Wake Up! with Mr Black, Mezcal, Averna, Angostora Bitters, Hickory Smoked Sea Salt Rim or the Wake Up and Skrew! with Mr Black, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, and Irish Cream.
844 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101; 619-269-7156; www.knottybarrel.com; @knottybarrel
The Pioneer, San Diego
Everyone loves a good Spark Plug, and this one with Mr Black, Cold Brew, Vodka and Simple Syrup, topped with hand-shaken cream and dusted with cinnamon is a must. Also: The Pioneer Perkulator with Mr Black, Dickle Rye and 3 Dashes Black Walnut Bitters, topped with peppered bacon and maple syrup drizzle.
8622 Lake Murray Blvd, San Diego, CA 92119; 619-825-7787; www.thepioneerbbq.com; @thepioneerbbq
Politan Row, Chicago
Enjoy a coffee-flavored pick-me-up with the Cold Fashioned with Mr Black, Rye and Orange Bitters.
111 N Aberdeen St, Chicago, IL 60607; 312-278-3040; www.chicago.politanrow.com; @politanrow
Locals Only, Rochester, NY
The Caffe Con Amore is a sweet yet strong concoction of Mr Black, Coconut Rum, Tahitian Vanilla, cream and Fee Brothers Toasted Almond Bitters.
311 Alexander St, Rochester, NY 14604; 585-537-7566; www.localsonly311.com; @localsonly311
Other Participating Accounts:
Benchmark, Chicago
Cold Brew Old Fashioned with Mr Black, Rye and bitters, Wake Up & Skrew! with Mr Black, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and Irish Cream or a Mr Black Shot.
Black Book Bar, Palm Springs
The Black on Black is made with Mr Black and Stillhouse Black Bourbon, a two-ingredient tipple that helps showcase all the flavors.
Cole’s French Dip, Los Angeles
Mexican Breakfast Stout Mr Black, Repasado Tequila, Cinnamon Syrup, Cold Brew Concentrate, Guiness, topped with orange-infused heavy cream.
District Local, NYC
Day Cap with Mr Black, Bourbon, Amaro and Espresso or the Cold Brew Old Fashioned with Mr Black, Rye and bitters.
DVine Pie, Piermont, NY
Buenas Noches withMr Black, Vodka, and Amargo De Chili, served in a glass rimmed with malt powder and topped with a Vanilla wafer Roll or a Mr Black Neat.
Hotel EMC2, Chicago
Leatherbound with Mr Black, Aquafaba and Agave.
Houndstooth Saloon, Chicago
Cold Brew Old Fashioned with Mr Black, Bourbon, Demerara, and Bitters
Logan Bar, Chicago
The Overdrive with Mr Black, Mt. Gay rum and Rumchata, served on ice with a Cinnamon Stick.
Republic, Dallas
Cold Brew Old Fashioned with Mr Black, Rye and Orange Bitters.
Rye, McKinney, TX
Déjà Bru with Mr Black, Mezcal, Bumbu Rum, Velvet falernum, Coconut Cream, erved in tiki with crushed ice and garnished with grated nutmeg and bruleed plantain and
Sugar Bacon, McKinney, TX
Cocktail: Cold Brew Old Fashioned withMr Black, Rye and orange bitters.
The Front Porch, San Francisco
Big Easy Negroni with Mr Black, Gin, Campari, Martini & Rossi Rubino Sweet Vermouth, the Fucket Cream Soda with Mr Black, Grey Goose La Vanille, Coconut Liqueur and Chocolate-Honey Porch Soda or Choco Flavored Kisses with Mr Black, Mezcal, Chocolate Liqueur and Whipped Cream.
The Hill, Closter, NJ
The Mr Black Hill is a boozy blend of Mr Black, Buffalo Trace, Lemon Juice, Ginger Syrup, Egg White and a Dash of Black Walnut Bitters, served in a coupe with lemon and espresso beans while the Cold Brew Old Fashioned mixes Mr Black and Starward Two Fold Whiskey with an orange peel. Of course, Mr Black Neat is always a good decision.
The Miranda, Oakland, CA
Color Me Black with Mr Black, Bourbon, Irish Cream, Chocolate Bitters, Cinnamon and Simple Syrup.
The River Grill, Newburgh, NY
RG Coldbrew with Mr. Black, Ancho Reyes Chili Liquor, Godiva, Tito’s vodka and 1/2 shot of fresh espresso, an Espresso Martini with Mr Black Cold Brew Liquor, Vodka and Espresso or the Cold Brew Old Fashioned with Mr Black, 1oz Rye and Orange Bitters.
*For more information on Mr Black Spirits, visit www.mrblack.co and follow along at @mrblackspirits. 21+, please drink responsibly.
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