A Buzzworthy Blend of Spirits and Caffeine
I’ll let you in on a little secret, my coffee-loving friends – the world of coffee cocktails is about to blow your mind. Imagine taking your favorite morning pick-me-up and transforming it into a sophisticated, grown-up libation that packs a double-barreled punch. That’s the magic we’re about to uncover at Brooklyn’s Georgian Coffee House.
Discovering the Dark Arts of Coffee Cocktails
It all started when I stumbled upon a little East Village gem called Amor y Amargo. This unassuming bar, with its focus on unusual spirits and flavor profiles, has become a haven for cocktail connoisseurs and industry insiders alike. The name itself, which translates to “Love and Bitter,” should have been a dead giveaway that these folks take their drinks seriously.
One weekend, I pulled up a barstool and let the dynamic duo of Sother Teague and Natalie Czech work their magic. Sother, the mastermind behind the bar’s impressive ability to layer and blend flavors, and Natalie, the coffee expert who brings her barista skills to the table, teamed up to create something truly special: Double Buzz, an innovative coffee-cocktail and food service that had my taste buds doing cartwheels.
Pushing the Boundaries of Coffee and Cocktails
As I settled in, Natalie expertly poured a Nyeri Sunrise – a Kenya Ndaroini-based delight that danced with tequila, Averna, orange citrate, and mole bitters, topped with a foamy Pacifico beer. It was a flavor explosion that had me wondering how I’d ever go back to a plain ol’ cup of joe.
And that was just the beginning. Sother and Natalie had more tricks up their sleeves, demonstrating a deep understanding of how to marry the bold flavors of coffee with the complexity of spirits. They schooled me on the thin margins that coffee shops navigate, and how the layered, bitter-forward profiles of their cocktails have become a hit with industry insiders.
Expanding the Coffee Cocktail Horizon
As I sipped and savored, Sother shared the backstory of how Double Buzz came to be. It all started when Natalie, a regular at the bar, was enlisted to paint some signs. Customers kept popping in, curious about this mysterious coffee-cocktail hybrid, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“Initially, I wanted to do espresso,” Sother explained, “but Natalie stepped in and suggested we focus on brewed coffee instead.” Wise move, considering the challenges of pulling off espresso outside of a dedicated cafe.
Unlocking the Secrets of Coffee Cocktail Craftsmanship
Natalie chimed in, sharing the evolution of the Double Buzz menu. “When we first opened, we just had the coffee cocktails. People liked them, but if you have a few, you can start to feel a bit uncomfortable with the buzz. So, we expanded the menu to include some of our signature nighttime cocktails and added food as well.”
The key, it seems, is striking the right balance between the coffee and spirit components. “We make all the coffee on Kalita Waves, brewed hot onto ice,” Natalie explained. “We serve a little bit of the coffee by itself next to each cocktail so you can taste the flavor on its own. Then, we build the cocktails from that base flavor.”
Sother added, “We want the coffee to really shine through, so we’ve found that about 15 oz of alcohol to 3-4 oz of coffee is a good ratio. Beyond that, I’ve been really surprised by just how well the bitter amaros work with coffee. It’s almost like the two bitter components cancel each other out, and you realize how sweetened the amaros are.”
Flavor Fireworks at Brooklyn’s Georgian Coffee House
I couldn’t help but be impressed by the level of thought and craftsmanship that goes into these coffee cocktails. It’s clear that Sother and Natalie are passionate about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when you bring coffee and spirits together.
So, what can you expect when you visit Brooklyn’s Georgian Coffee House and dive into our own coffee cocktail menu? Prepare to be dazzled by a lineup of drinks that will challenge your preconceptions and ignite your taste buds.
Imagine sipping on a “Grandma’s Coffee,” a delightful blend of apple brandy, Cognac, Cocchi Americano, Becherovka, and Peychaud’s bitters, all grounded by the rich, distinctive flavors of our house-brewed coffee. Or how about a “Ndaroini,” where the clean, clear notes of a Kenyan coffee shine through the tequila, Averna, and mole bitters?
Elevating the Everyday with Coffee Cocktails
These aren’t your typical after-dinner digestifs; these are sophisticated, layered concoctions that will transport you to a new realm of coffee appreciation. And the best part? You can enjoy them right here at Brooklyn’s Georgian Coffee House, where we’re redefining the boundaries of what’s possible with this humble bean.
So, the next time you’re craving something a little more, uh, “grown-up” than your usual cup of joe, come on down and let us introduce you to the wonders of coffee cocktails. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
