Coffee cocktails

by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

5 Books to Read this Month: April 2024

5 Books to Read this Month: April 2024

by David Klemt

Flipping through an open book

Our inspiring and informative April book selections will help you improve operations, refresh and streamline F&B programming, and learn more about coffee.

This month, we look at books covering an array of topics: overcoming dysfunctions within teams; stepping outside of comfort zones; cocktail and Irish dish recipes; and repurposing existing buildings.

To review the book recommendations from March 2024, click here.

Let’s jump in!

Roundbuilding

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it seems like most cocktail books target home bartenders. In a refreshing change of pace, Roundbuilding is specifically for working bartenders. In case the name doesn’t give it away, this book is about crafting and serving consistent rounds of cocktails and ensuring a high standard of service.

From Amazon:Roundbuiding is a practical guide to mixing cocktails, aimed at the working bartender. This is a book about ensuring that, for every round you serve, every drink is made to a consistently high standard, and that first sip always makes an impression. It’s the nuts and bolts of mixing drinks.”

Buy it today!

The World Atlas of Coffee (2nd Edition)

This bestseller enjoys a 4.8-star rating on Amazon with nearly 4,000 reviews on the platform. The World Atlas of Coffee also boasts a score of 4.4 on Goodreads.

Written by World Barista Champion James Hoffman (who’s also the co-founder of a successful coffee roaster operating out of London), this book will provide the reader with just about everything they need to know about coffee. The rise in popularity of cocktails like the Carajillo and the near-constant chatter about the Espresso Martini got me thinking: I should probably include a coffee book in one of these roundups.

From Amazon: “Coffee has never been better, or more interesting, than it is today. Coffee producers have access to more varieties and techniques than ever before and we, as consumers, can share in that expertise to make sure the coffee we drink is the best we can find. Where coffee comes from, how it was harvested, the roasting process and the water used to make the brew are just a few of the factors that influence the taste of what we drink. Champion barista and coffee expert James Hoffmann examines these key factors, looking at varieties of coffee, the influence of terroir, how it is harvested and processed, the roasting methods used, through to the way in which the beans are brewed.”

Pick your copy up now.

The Complete Recipe Writing Guide: Mastering Recipe Development, Writing, Testing, Nutrition Analysis, and Food Styling

This book isn’t even a year old but has already made waves. In fact, it was listed as one of Chef Eric Ripert‘s (Le Bernardin in New York City) books of the month just a couple of months after publication.

From Amazon:The Complete Recipe Writing Guide shows you how to create professional recipe content from development to publication. Raeanne Sarazen, a registered dietitian and chef, shares her expertise from over 20 years of working with recipes as a test kitchen professional, recipe developer, food writer, and editor, along with insider tips from top industry professionals. Like a master class on recipes, this comprehensive resource guides you through the variety of skills needed to create and share successful recipes.”

Get your copy here.

Bar Hacks: Developing The Fundamentals for an Epic Bar

This informative and conversational book written by KRG Hospitality president Doug Radkey is the perfect read for aspiring or seasoned bar, pub, lounge, or even restaurant owners, operators, and managers looking for that competitive edge in operations! If you’re looking for both fundamental and in-depth planning methods, strategies, and industry focused insight to either start or grow a scalable, sustainable, memorable, profitable, and consistent venue in today’s cut-throat industry, Bar Hacks is written just for you.

Pick up the paperback from Amazon today!

Hacking the New Normal: Hitting the Reset Button on the Hospitality Industry

Doug’s followup book to Bar Hacks! The world around us has changed. The food and beverage industry has changed. The hospitality industry has changed. But will some ways of life change for the better? Will perhaps the restaurant, bar, and hospitality industry come out even stronger? With the right changes to the previous status quo, it is possible. There’s no question, resets are major undertakings, but a major reset will provide us with a clean start and that’s what this industry needs.

Pick up KRG Hospitality president Doug Radkey’s second book today! Click here.

Image: Mikołaj on Unsplash

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by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

7 Coffee Liqueurs You Need to Know

7 Coffee Liqueurs You Need to Know

by David Klemt

White Russian cocktail made with Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur

Whether you and your bar team are making Espresso Martinis, riffing on classics or creating something new, consider these coffee liqueurs.

National Espresso Martini Day takes place on Tuesday, March 15. Leading up to this bar holiday, the cocktail is experiencing yet another resurgence.

In fact, this cocktail more than any other seems to maintain an enviable rate of “surging back” in popularity. Maybe it’s time to just admit that it’s a modern classic people love to hate…but still order and enjoy.

Below are seven coffee liqueurs that shine in an Espresso Martini, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Irish Coffee, or any number of rich, flavorful cocktails. Cheers!

Mr. Black

Most of the reviews out there place Mr. Black at the top when it comes to coffee liqueurs. Once you’ve sipped it neat, you understand why. The coffee flavor is outstanding, and that should come as no surprise. After all, Mr. Black is crafted in Australia, a country with a rich coffee culture.

Additionally, Mr. Black occasionally releases special batches. In the past, the brand has produced Single Origin Ethiopia, Single Origin Colombia, and collaborations with WhistlePig and St. Ali Coffee Roasters. They also have a coffee amaro available.

Grind Espresso Shot

You really can’t go wrong making an Espresso Martini with an espresso liqueur. Grind Espresso Shot gives Mr. Black a run for their money in the coffee liqueur showdown.

This blend of Caribbean rum, espresso, coffee, and coffee extract that shines in just about any cocktail.

Kahlúa

As the saying goes, respect your elders. Kahlúa is a coffee liqueur that dates back to 1936 and there’s a reason the brand is still so visible.

Not only does the brand claim it takes seven years to produce a bottle of Kahlúa, their range is deep is flavorful. The current lineup consists of more than just the original Kahlúa expression. There’s also Blonde Roast Style, Vanilla, Mint Mocha, Chili Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and Especial currently.

Jägermeister Cold Brew

We can argue back and forth about whether Jägermeister is a schnapps or an amaro. Either way, it serves as a fantastic base for a rich coffee liqueur.

Jägermeister Cold Brew blends the original herbal liqueur with arabica coffee and a touch of cacao. There’s a Dark Matter coffee available produced by washing Guatemalan coffee beans in Jägermeister’s coffee liqueur.

Caffè Borghetti

Who among us is unfamiliar with Fratelli Branca’s products? From Fernet-Branca and Brancamenta, to Antica Formula, Punt e Mes, and Carpano, it’s difficult to imagine a bar that doesn’t have at least one Branca product in their inventory.

So, when it comes to coffee liqueur, you can’t really go wrong with another of Fratelli Branca’s bottles: Caffè Borghetti. Sweet and imbued with the rich taste of Italian espresso, this is a liqueur that deserves a place behind your bar.

Flor de Caña Spresso

Produced in Nicaragua, is not just a highly sought-after and awarded rum, Flor de Caña is also the world’s first spirit to be fair trade and carbon neutral certified.

Their coffee liqueur, Flor de Caña Spresso, is made with the producer’s 7 Year Gran Reserva rum expression. You guests will know their enjoying a premium rum-based liqueur that’s sustainably and responsibly crafted.

Jameson Cold Brew

Combine world-famous Jameson Irish whiskey with arabica coffee beans from Brazil and Colombia and you get Jameson Cold Brew.

Not only do you get intense coffee aroma and flavor, you’ll also discover notes of toasted oak. So, your guests won’t have to worry that the coffee overpowers the whiskey or vice versa.

And c’mon—if you’re going to make an Irish Coffee, why not do it with a liqueur crafted with Irish whiskey? Interestingly, Jameson Cold Brew also pairs well with cream soda or cola.

Image: YesMore Content on Unsplash

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