Next week I'll be in Long Beach, California for the United States Coffee Championships. Each competitor in the barista competition will prepare three drink rounds to be evaluated by the sensory judges: espresso, cappuccino and his or her signature beverage, which combines espresso and any myriad of ingredients except alcohol or controlled substances. Each drink round is wonderful in it's own right, but there's something really spectacular about experiencing a barista's signature beverage. The flavor combinations, techniques employed and drink builds are often as polished and beautiful as they are delicious and in sync with the coffee used.
It hasn't made it's way to the United States yet, but there's an international competition dedicated to coffee + alcohol called Coffee in Good Spirits. I look forward to it's arrival (fingers crossed).
I'll be decorating Chase the Flavors with coffee-infused recipes over the next few weeks. We'll start with something fun and simple today, a variation of the beloved Moscow Mule (lime juice, vodka and ginger beer).
Midnight Mule
Serves 1
1/2 ounce Meyer lemon juice
2 ounces vodka
6 ounces coffee stout
Combine Meyer lemon juice and vodka in a copper mug. Add ice and top with coffee stout. Garnish with a wedge of Meyer lemon.
Happy Valentine's Day, lovebirds.
-Mallory