a big factor is make and drink not being around during covid lockdown the way other channels were. people interested in cocktails were unable to visit bars in person so these channels gained so much more exposure and people binge watched their back catalog, which boosted them in the youtube algorithm
Seems like yesterday when Mr. Black took over UA-cam. 😅I love the stuff but still find room on my bar for Kaluha. A surprisingly awesome coffee liqueur is Jagermeister Cold Brew. It rocks (especially if you dig amaro)! Good stuff, Derek!
I’ve been using Tia Maria in place of Kahlua lately. It’s about the same level of sweetness, less artificial tasting, and has a smoother coffee flavor. Mr. Black is amazing, but you almost always have to add extra sugar when mixing in cocktails (unless the recipe specifically calls for it).
The issue is this. Kahlua is so much sweeter than Mr. Black, period. In classic cocktails, particularly tiki drinks, that were mixed with Kahlua, you can't sub Mr. Black and expect a balanced cocktail. So I find I still need Kahlua in my backbar.
I had Flor De Caña Spresso last month on a cruise and I LOVED it. Personally felt VERY coffee forward. Definitely sweet. But very strong on the coffee both on the nose and in the taste. I’ve only had Kaula, Mr Black and Flor but Flor was easily my favorite so far. Definitely like Mr Black, but like you said don’t always want that bitterness. Not the biggest Kahlua
Another Coffee liquor to toss into the ring is Bittermens New Orleans Coffee Liquor Similar to the St. George offering. Uses Brazilian coffee beans from Brazil with roasted French chicory root and a touch of vanilla. Also adds a handful of chocolate cacao nibs for a chocolate bitterness, and leans towards the dry side of the coffee spectrum. 24% ABV, This and St. George are my favorites. I like what the chicory adds. Haven't tried the Flor de Cana or Kahlua Especial.
Cool idea for a video. I've went through a good amount looking for the best espresso martini, and my favorite is Cafe Borghetti. I'm not a big fan of Kahlúa but the Especial was surprisingly good. Great in a Dirty banana. Grind Espresso is also pretty good. I haven't tried St. George Nova yet but i've like everything i've tried from them so far
I really liked that period when Mr. Black was marketing hard, I started making way more cocktails that weren't just an espresso martini or white russian. Personally I keep Kahlua, Mr. Black and Tia Maria on hand at the bar, though I have been curious about the St. George and Tempes Fugit coffee liquors.
Heck yes!! I love this video. I randomly use Mr Black when I make Mutiny’s or Black Magic which are both epic Mai Kai cocktails. So I’ll have to give ol Kahlua a try!
I've been using Luxardo Espresso since I've always found Kaluha to be very syrupy sweet and it's pretty good. I'd love to try Mr. Black but have never seen it in Canada. Likewise with St. George. There's a distillery out of BC that has one, I may try that one next.
I go through a lot of coffee liquor because at the end of a lot of evenings a white Russian or espresso martini will be had with my dessert. I always intend to do a taste test when I buy a new coffee liquor. It hasn't happened though. I will say I do love Koloa. Worth a try I'd say.
Great video! I had the Ojo de Dios Mezcal coffee some time ago, that one blew me away on its own. After drinking several coffee liqueurs, I still think it’s one of the easiest ones to make yourself (I even made it at a friends house with left over pucks, in about 30min, without any proper scales or measuring equipment).
I wonder if the holidays infected us both cause I also took it upon myself to buy a few coffee liqueurs to try out. I bought the St. George, bittermens, and new deal. And to my surprise New deal coffee liqueur was my favorite. I don’t know why no one talks about it
Yeah... I'm a basic beetch and have always just stuck with my Kahlua. I don't even do anything fancy with it; my go to drink as a nightcap is a Kahlua and Cream I am, admittedly, very partial to rum as well
I have the Mr Blacks for Espresso Martinis, and the St George Nola Coffee Liqueur for Oaxaca Forever cocktails. My go-to for White Russians is on you did not test and that is the Cayman Reef Kona Coffee Liqueur. I have a few others I bought because they sounded good but were just not up to par so they're collecting dust in the back shelf.
I've had a bottle of Kaluha sitting around forever. Tried to make my own coffee liqueur early last year, but it turned out really bitter, so that's going to need some adjustment if I try it next time. Guy at the local liquor store I talk to occasionally told me that his favorite coffee spirit is Koloa Kauaʻi, but I haven't pulled the trigger on grabbing a bottle yet to try myself.
I have so many bottles of Mr. Black, one bottle of St. George, and none of the Kahlua. My take away from this video is that I'm missing out, and need to buy a bottle of Kahlua! 😂
Anyone else try Patron XO Cafe? It came back in early 2024 (discontinued in 2001, apparently) and I preferred it to Kahlua since it was so much less sweet.
Must be a different version of original Kahlua in the US, every bottle I've ever bought in Australia has been 26% ABV. The sweetness works pretty well in cocktails and desserts but yeah it's not something you want to drinks straight.
WAIT...you guys still get 20% ABV Kahlua?!! So the UK stuff started of as 26% ABV, then cos of Sugar Tax and Booze Tax has been on a steady decline in ABV for some years now! Ours is now 16%. Tastes like shite compared to what it used to be! You may as well buy Monin Cafe Sugar Syrup! 😇😂
Been a big fan for a long time - I love the approach to liqueurs, not enough people are paying attention to that category. If I might make a suggestion: I think this video would be stronger (and maybe have some more youtube click appeal) if you had a "hero" drink that you tried each of these in. For this one, it would obviously be an espresso martini, for orange liqueurs, maybe a sidecar (although I know you'll go Mai Tai). I would personally love to know not only how each of these drinks neat, but how they compete against each other in something like an espresso mart. Like I said, love the channel! Those are just my thoughts as someone who wants to see you succeed and make it big like you deserve. Thanks for all you do, bro!
Yeah I get that, the problem with incorporating a tasting and cocktails is the same video is it increases the time to film and edit by a factor of 3 at least. Also, I try not to get loaded when I'm filming. I got things to do!
I’m always shocked how low your subscriber count is, you genuinely seems like the most professional and and clear cut fella in this circle
i'll say it. these videos are miles ahead of "How To Drink," which turned into a product placement mess
it wasn’t that long ago when how to drink was in a similar position. Make and drink’s time is coming
a big factor is make and drink not being around during covid lockdown the way other channels were. people interested in cocktails were unable to visit bars in person so these channels gained so much more exposure and people binge watched their back catalog, which boosted them in the youtube algorithm
Seems like yesterday when Mr. Black took over UA-cam. 😅I love the stuff but still find room on my bar for Kaluha. A surprisingly awesome coffee liqueur is Jagermeister Cold Brew. It rocks (especially if you dig amaro)! Good stuff, Derek!
I don't think I realized there was a Jagermeister Cold Brew. I'll have to check it out, cheers!
I’ve been using Tia Maria in place of Kahlua lately. It’s about the same level of sweetness, less artificial tasting, and has a smoother coffee flavor. Mr. Black is amazing, but you almost always have to add extra sugar when mixing in cocktails (unless the recipe specifically calls for it).
I’ve never tasted Tia Maria but I always remember the jingle played on the TV in the 80s advertising it.
The issue is this. Kahlua is so much sweeter than Mr. Black, period. In classic cocktails, particularly tiki drinks, that were mixed with Kahlua, you can't sub Mr. Black and expect a balanced cocktail. So I find I still need Kahlua in my backbar.
Hanging out for the upcoming orange liqueur comparison.
one day...
I love the comparison videos. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these with us.
Another bottle to try out is Fernet’s Borghetti Espresso liquor. Has everything you need for a simple but hard to beat espresso martini
Great video, as always. I’m looking forward to the coffee liqueur cocktails vid you teased!
I had Flor De Caña Spresso last month on a cruise and I LOVED it. Personally felt VERY coffee forward. Definitely sweet. But very strong on the coffee both on the nose and in the taste. I’ve only had Kaula, Mr Black and Flor but Flor was easily my favorite so far. Definitely like Mr Black, but like you said don’t always want that bitterness. Not the biggest Kahlua
Another great episode! Thanks for sharing and educating us.
Thank you!
Another Coffee liquor to toss into the ring is Bittermens New Orleans Coffee Liquor Similar to the St. George offering. Uses Brazilian coffee beans from Brazil with roasted French chicory root and a touch of vanilla. Also adds a handful of chocolate cacao nibs for a chocolate bitterness, and leans towards the dry side of the coffee spectrum. 24% ABV,
This and St. George are my favorites. I like what the chicory adds.
Haven't tried the Flor de Cana or Kahlua Especial.
Cool idea for a video. I've went through a good amount looking for the best espresso martini, and my favorite is Cafe Borghetti. I'm not a big fan of Kahlúa but the Especial was surprisingly good. Great in a Dirty banana. Grind Espresso is also pretty good. I haven't tried St. George Nova yet but i've like everything i've tried from them so far
I grew up on that exotic tropical island. A great place for a kid in the 60s.
I really liked that period when Mr. Black was marketing hard, I started making way more cocktails that weren't just an espresso martini or white russian. Personally I keep Kahlua, Mr. Black and Tia Maria on hand at the bar, though I have been curious about the St. George and Tempes Fugit coffee liquors.
This seems fun. I’ve tried Kahlua and Mr Black. Next on my list to try is Luxardo Espresso Liqueur.
Heck yes!! I love this video. I randomly use Mr Black when I make Mutiny’s or Black Magic which are both epic Mai Kai cocktails. So I’ll have to give ol Kahlua a try!
I've been using Luxardo Espresso since I've always found Kaluha to be very syrupy sweet and it's pretty good.
I'd love to try Mr. Black but have never seen it in Canada. Likewise with St. George.
There's a distillery out of BC that has one, I may try that one next.
I go through a lot of coffee liquor because at the end of a lot of evenings a white Russian or espresso martini will be had with my dessert. I always intend to do a taste test when I buy a new coffee liquor. It hasn't happened though. I will say I do love Koloa. Worth a try I'd say.
Love making a Spanish Coffee with Kahlua! Have you thought of doing a Spanish Coffee video?
Great video! I had the Ojo de Dios Mezcal coffee some time ago, that one blew me away on its own.
After drinking several coffee liqueurs, I still think it’s one of the easiest ones to make yourself (I even made it at a friends house with left over pucks, in about 30min, without any proper scales or measuring equipment).
I wonder if the holidays infected us both cause I also took it upon myself to buy a few coffee liqueurs to try out. I bought the St. George, bittermens, and new deal. And to my surprise New deal coffee liqueur was my favorite. I don’t know why no one talks about it
Yeah... I'm a basic beetch and have always just stuck with my Kahlua. I don't even do anything fancy with it; my go to drink as a nightcap is a Kahlua and Cream
I am, admittedly, very partial to rum as well
I have the Mr Blacks for Espresso Martinis, and the St George Nola Coffee Liqueur for Oaxaca Forever cocktails. My go-to for White Russians is on you did not test and that is the Cayman Reef Kona Coffee Liqueur. I have a few others I bought because they sounded good but were just not up to par so they're collecting dust in the back shelf.
Great vid 💪🏽
My absolute favourite actually is the Cordial Caffè by Lucano, just THE perfect Espresso Martini! 🥂
Koloa Rum Co makes a very good Coffee rum liquor at 34%
St. George is the bomb!!!
Tempus Fugit Creme de Moka is delicious. It's a bit expensive, but probably around the same as St George.
yup, just bought it on a whim after I ran out of borghetti, and it's really really nice. I really wanna try Caffe Lolita though
I grew up on Kahlua so I have that and I have Mr. Blacks.
Instructive. Thank you!
I've had a bottle of Kaluha sitting around forever. Tried to make my own coffee liqueur early last year, but it turned out really bitter, so that's going to need some adjustment if I try it next time. Guy at the local liquor store I talk to occasionally told me that his favorite coffee spirit is Koloa Kauaʻi, but I haven't pulled the trigger on grabbing a bottle yet to try myself.
I've got a bottle of Grind by Sazerac myself. It does the job.
I like my Cloud House Colombian rum liquer 😊
"I can't spend 500 bucks on coffee liqueurs." Sounds like you just don't really want to try, Derek. 😂
Worth noting that Mr. Black is a bit more fussy as it requires refrigeration. Good but kinda constraining.
It's suggested but not required. Should keep just as well as the other coffee liqueurs at room temp.
I have so many bottles of Mr. Black, one bottle of St. George, and none of the Kahlua. My take away from this video is that I'm missing out, and need to buy a bottle of Kahlua! 😂
commenting for the algorithm
Anyone else try Patron XO Cafe? It came back in early 2024 (discontinued in 2001, apparently) and I preferred it to Kahlua since it was so much less sweet.
Must be a different version of original Kahlua in the US, every bottle I've ever bought in Australia has been 26% ABV. The sweetness works pretty well in cocktails and desserts but yeah it's not something you want to drinks straight.
WAIT...you guys still get 20% ABV Kahlua?!! So the UK stuff started of as 26% ABV, then cos of Sugar Tax and Booze Tax has been on a steady decline in ABV for some years now! Ours is now 16%. Tastes like shite compared to what it used to be! You may as well buy Monin Cafe Sugar Syrup! 😇😂
Yeah we got 20% Kahlua. Suck it.
@@makeanddrink yes but what happened with the 26% Kahlua somebody is playing with abv in spirits especially in europe.
Anyone in the comments try the Mr. Black Amaro?? Been wanting to try that one!
Been a big fan for a long time - I love the approach to liqueurs, not enough people are paying attention to that category. If I might make a suggestion: I think this video would be stronger (and maybe have some more youtube click appeal) if you had a "hero" drink that you tried each of these in. For this one, it would obviously be an espresso martini, for orange liqueurs, maybe a sidecar (although I know you'll go Mai Tai). I would personally love to know not only how each of these drinks neat, but how they compete against each other in something like an espresso mart.
Like I said, love the channel! Those are just my thoughts as someone who wants to see you succeed and make it big like you deserve. Thanks for all you do, bro!
Yeah I get that, the problem with incorporating a tasting and cocktails is the same video is it increases the time to film and edit by a factor of 3 at least. Also, I try not to get loaded when I'm filming. I got things to do!
Krakatoa!!!!
Lecoor??????
And?
Well, that's just like your opinion, man.
😂
I came to the comments for a Dude reference and I was not disappointed.