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says this innovation behind the Kahlua brand around the Espresso Martini is rewarding the brand in spades. “No surprise that Kahlua Espresso Martini is the leading brand generating $580,000 in sales since it was launched in November 2018,” said Stephen. “This is (Kahlua’s) rising star topping unit sales for all ready to drink items launched in the latest quarter so clearly resonating with Espresso Martini drinkers looking for the convenience of a single serve offering that can be consumed away from their favorite venue. New brand offerings and innovation are sure to inject a sense of curiosity and interest to a sub category that has been fairly “staid” in recent times.” Tia Maria, also in the original Dick Bradsell Espresso Martini recipe combined with Kahlua, is leveraging the revolution with the creation of The Tia Maria Coffee Project. Tia Maria brings together coffee experts, roasters and suppliers to talk to bartenders about the nuances of coffee and how flavour can be manipulated through different beans, roasting techniques and the temperature of the water used when it is brewed. The 45 minute session is a think tank and platform from which to create new coffee cocktails and discovering what is next in coffee mixology. “It’s about creativity and experimentation, understanding new and 56|drinks trade
different flavours and getting the timing right for the next big coffee cocktail. For example I added banana to the Espresso Martini in the 90s and it was frowned upon. Now it’s a thing. Sometimes you are before your time and sometimes you are too late,” said Brand Ambassador for Tia Maria, Mark Hickey. Last year Tia Maria had a bit of fun with the Espresso Martini when it attempted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s largest Espresso Martini on the steps of the Sydney Opera House using a 2.2 metre tall custom glass carrying 600 litres of Espresso Martini! The popularity of the coffee cocktail revolution sees new entrants in the market such as the recently released Blackfin Cold Brew Coffee
Liqueur by Manly Spirits Co. made with sea botanicals foraged by the founders David Whittaker and Vanessa Whilton. Founder David and head distiller, Tim Jones, collaborated with coffee scientist at Seven Miles, Dr. Adam Carr to develop the liqueur with coffee that was cold brewed for 18 hours. Blackfin brings a touch of something unique to the Espresso Martini because at the end of the day it’s that difference that all bartenders are elusively searching for in order to make their very own version of the great Espresso Martini. To read the full interview with Ben Parton, Kahlua’s National Brand Ambassador visit drinkstrade.com.au