A ready-to-drink espresso spirit from Mario's Hard Espresso of Simi Valley, California — created in 2021 by Joe Grasso to honor his late father Mario, who handcrafted a small-batch coffee liqueur every Christmas from a secret Sicilian family recipe more than 50 years old. Built on a triple-distilled 196-proof grain neutral spirit — chosen for its clean, smooth base that imparts no unwanted alcohol flavors — infused with 100% Arabica dark-roast Italian espresso, organic Madagascar vanilla, and cane sugar, each bottle handcrafted in the spirit of the original holiday batches.
Character: Smooth, bold, and never bitter — a silky mouthfeel with rich, complex coffee and vanilla, and a gentle bite on the back of the palate.
Awards: Gold Medal (95 points), New York International Spirits Awards 2022; Gold Medal, Los Angeles International Spirits Awards 2022.
Serve: Chilled neat, over ice, or as the base of an instant Espresso Martini.
ABV: 28% (56 Proof)
