The Coffee Issue: Part 2

The Bitters, the Old Fashioned and the Others

MODSUB#71

Wotcha!

So many good drinks below. No need to waste any time. Go git ‘em.

Enjoy.

Myles

,

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

BITTERS
All The Bitters - Cherry Coffee Blast

COCKTAIL
The Free Spirits Company - Espresso Old Fashioned

BEER, COCKTAIL, BEER
More Non-Alcoholic Coffee Drinks

Read time: 6 minutes 57 seconds

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NAN
New NA Drink News

NORTH AMERICA

• COCKTAIL: Following on from the introduction of last’s years fabulous Lapo’s Negroni, the company have added a new Citrus Spritz. (Link)

• WINE: Three new wines from Long Island’s Paumanok Vineyards under the label De Nada. (Link)

• WINE: Also new this month, St. Buena Vida’s Alcohol-Removed Chardonnay. Their IG tile wall is also very aesthetically pleasing to me. (Link)

• FUNCTIONAL: As the Delta-9 Hemp beverage market continues to grow, Untitled Art have joined the party with four sodas under their new Mystic Orbit collection. (Link)

WORLDWIDE

• COCKTAIL: Online non-alcoholic store, Positive Drinks Company over in the UK, have announced the launch of an in-house RTD cocktail called Brisca, utilising Botivo as one of the ingredients. (Link)

• WINE: One that slipped past me last month from France, was Carli Bruni’s new non-alcoholic rosé, L’Excessive, from Chateau d’Estoublon. (Link)

BITTERS

Origin: California
Calories: 10
Sugar: 0g

Serving: 4 fl.oz.
ABV: 0%
Price: $26.50 (1)

ModSub: There is hardly a corner of the retail industry that has not been affected by Amazon’s massive growth over the last couple of decades. While its convenience benefits consumers, it has created challenges for both small and large retailers, leading many to disappear.

During a conversation at a bar in D.C. early last year, it became clear that independent non-alcoholic bottle shops were also struggling to compete against online giants like Amazon. This realization prompted Ian Blessing (All The Bitter) and Laura Silverman (Zero Proof Nation) to finally pursue a long-discussed collaboration.

Thus, the Cherry Coffee Blast was born—All The Bitter’s first new permanent bitters in over two years. Beyond the fabulous flavor (which we’ll get to in a moment), the clever part is this: Cherry Coffee Blast is the only bitters in the ATB lineup that isn’t available on Amazon. This collaboration not only brings together two industry heavyweights but also ties into Laura’s Global Map, guiding consumers to non-alcoholic bottle shops and once there, a bottle of Cherry Coffee Blast bitters.

I reached out to Ian and Laura to learn how they landed on the flavor. It turns out they both had compelling reasons to incorporate coffee. Laura was immediately interested in a coffee-infused profile. Meanwhile, Ian had come across an article in Robb Report about the Black Manhattan cocktail, which coincidentally was also one of the most popular of ATB’s recipe collection

The drink’s creator, Todd Smith, had originally created his own coffee cherry bitters rather than using the more common combination of orange and aromatic bitters found in most recipes that followed. And with that, the decision was made—Cherry Coffee Blast.

Now the fun part:

CCB’s ingredients include an organic decaf blend from California’s Equator Coffee, a Siberian ginseng, cherry, dandelion root, gentian root, chicory, orange peel and spices among other things. 

Coffee Bitters & Tonic
5-7 dashes ATB Cherry Coffee Blast
6 oz light tonic water

“Add bitters to the glass first, top with tonic, and add ice. Or just make sure to stir to incorporate the bitters." -  Ian Blessing/ATB

This is a world away from last week's Coffee Originale tonic water cocktail. Whereas the coffee liqueur in that drink wrestled with the tonic water’s bold quinine flavor, here the bitters play a more guiding role. There’s coffee and cherry, certainly, but also notes of woodiness and sweet citrus—all combining to create a remarkably sophisticated tonic & bitters. I expected to breeze past this one and move on to other cocktails, but honestly, stopping right here would have been enough.

Cold Fashioned
2.5 oz cold brew concentrate
1/4 oz maple syrup
3 dashes ATB Cherry Coffee Blast

“Build this in a rocks glass with a big ice cube, stirred to chill, and then top with Orange Bitters cold foam. Two oz milk or oat milk, 1/2 tbsp simple syrup, 5 dashes Orange Bitters, whipped with a milk frother.” - Ian Blessing/ATB

So moreish, it’s ridiculous. Smooth yet bold coffee flavors, a wonderfully heavy mouthfeel, and a maple syrup sweetness that perfectly balances the espresso’s bitterness. With the addition of orange bitters cold foam, I couldn’t help but think what a phenomenal base this would make for an affogato. 

Rise and Shine, Manhattan
1 oz NA whiskey (your favorite will work, I like the oak of Kentucky 74)
1 oz NA amaro (I use Pathfinder, but any amaro alt will work)
1 oz cold brew concentrate
5 dashes ATB Cherry Coffee Blast

“Kind of a mash-up between a Black Manhattan and an Espresso Martini! You could stir this for a more Manhattan-like drink, or shake it for something that's more like an Espresso Martini. I'd garnish it with an orange twist if stirred, or coffee beans if shaken.” - Ian Blessing/ATB

I love this take on the Black Manhattan from ATB’s recipe collection. Swapping out 1 oz of whiskey for 1 oz of cold brew is a simple adjustment, but it has a dramatic effect, beautifully complementing the two spirits. Of the three, I think this has to be my top pick.

How does All The Bitter describe their Cherry Coffee Blast: Handcrafted with organic decaf coffee, this rich blend features Bing cherries, roasted chicory, cocoa nibs, vanilla, cardamom, and orange peel. Bitter botanicals like gentian root, dandelion, and wild cherry bark—traditionally used to support gut health—add balance and complexity, while adaptogenic Siberian ginseng brings a mild, caffeine-free boost.

Created in partnership with Zero Proof Nation, this collaboration was made by the non-alc community, for the non-alc community. Check out the ZPN Global Map to find NA-friendly venues near you!

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COCKTAIL

Origin: California
Calories: 110
Sugar: 22g

Size: 8.4 fl.oz.
ABV: 0.5%
Price: $15.98 (4)

ModSub: As we saw with the Espresso Negroni last week, espresso is a versatile little monkey, and with the right balance, it makes a addition to many of those traditional dark cocktail recipes.

One that couldn’t go unmentioned in this round-up is the Espresso Old Fashioned from The Free Spirits Company. The California-based beverage company has been producing non-alcoholic spirits since 2020, and you’d be hard-pressed not to have come across at least a couple of their products if you have an interest in non-alcoholic spirits.

Last year, the company reworked some of its recipes to significant acclaim. I’ve found myself itching to revisit their entire lineup after a lackluster experience with their tequila two or three years back. In the last few months, I’ve had a handful of conversations with people whose opinions I respect, all giving rave reviews to their tequila, gin, and now this whiskey.

I’m even more excited to revisit their spirits after pouring myself the Espresso Old Fashioned. First off, the bourbon flavor is fantastic—smooth, oaky caramel notes backed by spice, revealing the real treat: a long, lingering whiskey burn. It’s not immediately evident but acts as a delightful interrupter, urging you to wait just a little longer before taking your next sip. It’s really quite something. While it doesn’t quite reach the intensity of the real thing, boy, does it come pretty darn close.

Add in a rich espresso flavor that warmly embraces the whiskey notes and a generous hint of orange to round it out. To be honest, I added a long sliver of orange peel as a garnish, so I’m not sure how much that influenced the flavor.

This falls into the treat category for me due to the sugar levels. However, sugar plays an important role—just as in the original—enhancing the whiskey flavor, toning down the bitterness from the espresso, and providing impressive mouthfeel without resorting to carbonation.

A cracking find I’ll be coming back to during these cold winter days.

How does The Free Spirit Company describe their Espresso Old Fashioned: Enjoy a bar-quality cocktail, without the alcohol - Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Espresso Old Fashioned (less than 0.5% ABV) let's you take a bold craft cocktail with you, wherever you go. Rich espresso mingles perfectly with sweet oaky notes, delivering a bold riff on an Old Fashioned that's delicious, revitalizing and best of all - zero-proof.

BEER, COCKTAIL, BEER

More Non-Alcoholic Coffee Drinks

Here’s a few more coffee-inspired drinks on the market for you to explore. Some I’ve had, others I haven’t.

☕️ Athletic Brewing - First Ride: $14.99 • (6) •  (Link)
“First Ride is an extra dark brew with tremendous depth and nuance. It offers a malt-forward palate that’s bold yet crisp, nutty aromatics, and a clean, dry finish. A double-dose of coffee roasts, both medium and dark, burst out of the glass and bring a soft, welcome bitterness to the profile. Light-bodied, balanced, and smooth.” - Athletic Brewing 

☕️ Little Saints - Espresso Martini: $29.99 • (4) • (Link)
“Little Saints Espresso Martini is equal parts creamy and bubbly with notes of chocolate, espresso and vanilla, powered by reishi mushroom, damiana and a touch of caffeine. It cuts the nerves, cues feelings of intimacy and amps the intrigue for the sort of flow we could previously only find when wit and pheromones miraculously aligned.” - Little Saints

☕️ Grüvi - Mocha Moment: $31.99 • (12) • (Link)
Our non-alcoholic Mocha Moment makes you do a double take. Brewed with roasted malts that pack the deep, robust flavors of coffee and chocolate, it's a rich and creamy brew that won't leave you stumbling. And while it's dark as night, it tastes just right no matter what time of day you crack open a can. - Grüvi

READS + LISTENS
Last Week’s Edition + Other Suggestions

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