The cooler temperatures outside have me wistfully dreaming of a cozy movie session on the couch, and one of my favorite fall films is the Coen Brother’s cult classic, “The Big Lebowski.” Every time I watch it, I seem to end up in the kitchen shortly after, putting together a batch of homemade coffee liqueur. This dark, rich liqueur is an essential in my fall cocktail repertoire and makes a wonderful, seasonal gift.

Once you’ve made the coffee liqueur, it is almost a requirement that you make a classic White Russian. Because the coffee liqueur has a rum base, an elevated, tiki-inspired version of the cocktail that swaps white rum for the vodka is a complex, delicious twist. Don’t be tempted to skip the allspice dram — it’s a tiki-drink essential made from dried allspice berries, and it gives this cocktail a complementary, spiced, “The-Dude-abides” feel.

DIY COFFEE LIQUEUR
YIELDS ABOUT 3 CUPS

1/3 cup finely ground espresso or a darker roast, like the ESX Blend from Grand Junction’s Kiln Coffee Bar
2 1/3 cup water, divided
1 cup coconut or raw sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 1/2 cups white rum, like Crested Butte’s Montanya Platino

Combine the coffee grounds and 1 1/3 cups of the water in a mason jar. Shake well and refrigerate overnight.
Strain the cold-brewed coffee through a coffee filter or fine-mesh strainer into a quart-sized mason jar or similar sealable container.
In a saucepan, make a simple syrup by combining 1 cup sugar and the remaining 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.
Add the simple syrup, vanilla bean and white rum to the cold-brewed coffee.
Steep this mixture up to a week, according to preferred intensity.
Remove the vanilla bean, bottle the coffee liqueur and store in the refrigerator for up to three months.

THE MOD LEBOWSKI
YIELDS ONE COCKTAIL

1 1/2 ounces white rum, like Montanya Platino 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
1/4 ounce allspice dram
1 1/2 ounces full-fat coconut milk
star anise, for garnish
shaved dark chocolate, for garnish

1. In a mixing glass, combine the rum, coffee liqueur, allspice dram and coconut milk.
2. Add ice and shake well.
3. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with a star anise pod and a little shaved dark chocolate.

NOTES

No vanilla bean? Although vanilla beans contribute a more potent flavor and aroma, substituting 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract can be a more convenient option.
Can’t find allspice dram? Even though this ingredient adds complexity to this twist on the White Russian, the resulting cocktail without the allspice dram will still be tasty.

Originally published in the Fall 2019 issue of Spoke+Blossom

DIY Coffee Liquor + The Mod Lebowski Cocktail