Starbucks Mochatini

When Starbucks Coffee Liqueur was released I was interested in checking it out to see how it matched up with other coffee liqueurs on the market.  I can’t remember where or how but somehow I ended up with a single serving "sample" bottle.  I took it home, cracked the bottle open and took a little sip.  Yum!  Deep, dark coffee flavor – much like the Starbucks coffee itself.  My first thought – "This is going to be too strong for some." – but I liked it. 

I put the rest away and made a note to try it out in something, somewhere, sometime.  A couple weeks went by and a read a little review by Drinkboy.  Hmm.  Not all that inspiring.  I think this liqueur will shine in many ways, but still I didn’t get around to checking it out on my own. 

Fast forward about a month or two.  I’m at Taste of the Nation, and who is serving?  Yes!  Starbucks Coffee Liqueur.  They were serving "Mochatini’s" among other things AND at our table we had little take home bottles of the liqueur.  I had a couple cocktails while at the event – they were 1/2 size drinks – and really enjoyed them as my dessert.  I took home my little bottle and a few other bottles that had been deserted.  When I got home I realized that there was also a little recipe book in the package – score!  I wouldn’t have to try to recreate the cocktail even though I had quizzed the bartender on the mix.  Here it was, laid out in black and white – or actually light brown on dark brown. 

Tonight I finally got around to trying it out on my own.  I mixed it up and made a couple of small, small changes based on what I had on hand.  Deep, dark flavor.  A hint of sweetness but not cloying – you know how I hate that!  Really very nice. 

Here’s their recipe and my notes.  Enjoy!

Mochatini
1 part Starbucks Coffee Liqueur
1/2 part Dark Creme de Cacao (I had clear on hand and it was fine)
1 part Absolut Vanilia Vodka

Shake and strain into a martini glass rimmed with a chocolate and turbinado sugar.  (I used Dutch-process cocoa mixed with superfine sugar.  I wet the rim by running it through a slit in an orange.  The slight flavor of orange essence adds a nice touch.)