New Spirits from Char & Stave and Bluebird Distilling: Classic Coffee Liqueur and Cafe Amaro Liqueur

Char & Stave, coffee made by whiskey people, is thrilled to announce its first foray into coffee-based spirits with the launch of two brand-new products: The coffee roastery and café concept is joining forces with parent company and award-winning craft distillery, Bluebird Distilling to produce Char & Stave Coffee Liqueur and Char & Stave Café Amaro! Made using Char & Stave signature coffee roasted beans and Bluebird Distilling scratch-made spirit base, both liqueurs will be available online and will ship to 42 states nationwide; in addition to Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Spirit stores, and at both Char & Stave locations beginning on National Coffee Day: Sunday, September 29.

Named for the barrels used for aging Bluebird Distilling bourbon and now, coffee, Char & Stave carries an ethos rooted in the phrase that populates its branding, signage and café décor: “coffee made by whiskey people”. The chic café, cocktail hotspot, and bottle shop carrying Bluebird Distilling spirits opened its flagship location in the heart of bustling Ardmore, Pennsylvania in March of 2021 – followed by the warm reception of a second locale in the historic Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia in October of 2023. Now, in an expansion of business operations, the café and cocktail bar is making its first foray into craft spirits production with coffee-minded libations ideal for coffee creatives looking to build quality, java-centric cocktails at home; such as an Espresso Martini, White Russian, Caffe Negroni, and more.

“We’ve been producing craft spirits at Bluebird Distilling for just about ten years – I’m very excited to introduce our Char & Stave coffee brand to the spirits world, as well,” said Adkins. “Our coffee liqueurs are made to be versatile – our fans have been enjoying the new spirits at their favorite Philadelphia-region bars and restaurants, but now coffee lovers can get quality coffee liqueur and café amaro shipped directly to their door – nationwide.”

Char & Stave Classic Coffee Liqueur (60 proof, 750 ml, $34.99) is crafted using Char & Stave Arabica Coffee and Bluebird Distilling Vodka, one batch at a time with no artificial flavors. The spirit presents a velvety smooth mouthfeel, with savory chocolate notes up front followed by tinges of citrus, and a finish of slightly sweet dried fruits. Shines in an Espresso Martini, White Russian, or “Night Cap” (3 oz. on the rocks).

Char & Stave Café Amaro Coffee Liqueur (60 proof, 750 ml, $39.99) is a bittersweet coffee liqueur blended with a balance of citrus and botanicals spanning Oris root, angelica, cardamom, chamomile, lemon peel, gtrapefruit peel and gentian root – made one batch at a time with no artificial flavors. Shines in a Coffee Negroni, Char n’ Tonic, and more.

All Char & Stave coffee beans are roasted in-house, with beans sourced from small farmers and microplots worldwide. Both spirits are made with Char & Stave Arabica Coffee (62% Peru Cajamarca, 20% Costa Rica Central Valley, 18% Natural Papua New Guina Wahgi Valley). After the beans are roasted, a two-day Cold Brew method is employed to ensure maximum flavor and velvety smoothness.

Additionally, on National Coffee Day, coffee-lovers can line up at both Char & Stave locations from 8 am – 12 pm to receive one complimentary 12 oz. cup of Everyday coffee per guest, featuring Char & Stave's Everyday Blend, roasted using beans from Peru and Costa Rica. Guests aged 21+ are invited to indulge in complimentary tastings of new Char & Stave Spirits all day during opening hours. Cash tips for baristas are still highly encouraged. Char & Stave Ardmore: 21 Rittenhouse Place. Char & Stave Chestnut Hill: 8441 Germantown Ave.

At-home mixologists can stir up Char & Stave Classic Coffee Liqueur and Café Amaro Coffee Liqueur into the following cocktails:

COCKTAIL RECIPES

Coffee Negroni

·       1 oz. Char & Stave Café Amaro Coffee Liqueur

·       1 oz. Gin

·       1 oz. Sweet vermouth

Glassware: Rocks

Garnish: Orange peel

Instructions: Add ice, then ingredients, to glass. Stir well, garnish and enjoy.

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Char n’ Tonic

·       2 oz. Char & Stave Café Amaro Coffee Liqueur

·       Tonic Water

Glassware: Collins

Garnish: Lemon Peel

Instructions: Add ice to glass, then coffee liqueur. Top with tonic, garnish and enjoy.

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Espresso Martini

·       1 oz. Char & Stave Classic Coffee Liqueur

·       1 oz. Vodka

·       1 oz. Fresh espresso

Glass: Coupe

Garnish: Three coffee beans

Instructions: Add ingredients to shaker and dry shake. Strain into glass and enjoy.

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Night Cap

·       3 oz. Char & Stave Classic Coffee Liqueur

Glassware: Rocks

Instructions: Pour coffee liqueur over ice, sip and enjoy.

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White Russian

·       3 oz. Char & Stave Classic Coffee Liqueur

·       1 oz. Cream

Glassware: Rocks

Instructions: Add ice to glass, then coffee liqueur. Top with cream and enjoy.