Tia Maria is a dark Jamaican coffee liqueur. The base is made of Jamaican rum, Jamaican coffee and Madagascar vanilla beans. The drink is sweet, smooth, fragrant,, and full-bodied while exuding the aromas of vanilla and coffee.
Most drinks have a little history to them.. The modern version is that Dr. Kenneth Leigh Evans found the recipe in the 1940s and decided to produce and market Tia Maria. His recipe is based off of an ancient Jamaican coffee liqueur which dates back to the mid-17th century.
The more romantic version is of a Spanish aristocrat heiress and her maid who fled during the colonial war in Jamaica. When they fled the maid saved an ancient recipe for the mysterious liqueur that we are talking about today. Tia Maria is said to be named for the maid of the Spanish noblewoman who saved the secret family coffee cordial recipe.
Today Tia Maria is bottled at 20% ABV, but I am in possession of a bottle with the original 26.5% ABV. In 2020, the bottle got a new sexy look and bold new labeling, along with a modification to it’s ABV, however it is the same liquid you know and love. I have had it in various forms. It works quiet well mixed with milk or coffee, it is also great straight up over ice. You can always mix it up in a Tia Old Fashion, Espresso Martini, or a White Russian.
Pre-2020 ABV/Proof: (26.5%/53); Post-2020 ABV/Proof: (20%/40)
Producer: Italy
Website: https://www.tiamaria.com/
