Liqueur Lowdown is a series that gives you the lowdown on different types of popular liqueurs  – what they are, how they taste and how to use them in cocktails or otherwise! Liqueurs are a form of sweetened liquor that you can use to add flavor to your cocktails, or simply drink neat for a pre- and post-meal treat!

What Is Mr Black Liqueur? How Does Mr Black Taste? 

Mr Black is a cold brew coffee liqueur from Australia that is a blend of 100% Arabica coffee, Australian wheat vodka and cane sugar. It’s a bittersweet spirit with strong, bold espresso flavors and slight dark chocolate notes. Spices like cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg can also be picked up, but the coffee notes remains most distinctive. Less sweet than other coffee liqueur out there, with an earthier, robust character. 

How Was Mr Black Liqueur Created?

Mr Black is produced at Mr Black Roasters & Distillers in Sydney, where 100% Arabica coffee in roasted in-house by Head of Coffee Detlef Mohr and brewed using purified cold water. It’s then blended by Master Distiller Philip Moore with Australian wheat vodka and cane sugar.  Founded by designer Tom Baker and distiller Philip Moore in 2013, Mr Black was created with the intent of bringing Australian craft coffee culture into the night. 

Fun Fact

Mr Black has ten times more caffeine but half as much sugar compared to other coffee liqueurs currently in market.

Other Variations / Substitutes?

Mr Black’s expanded product offerings including experimental variations on its core product. Ones to look out for are the Mr Black Rum Barrel Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, made in collaboration with Bundaberg Rum; and the Mr Black Mezcal Cask Coffee Liqueur, with an added touch of Joven Mezcal made from 100% Espadin agave.

How To Use Mr Black? 

Mr Black’s Global Brand Ambassador Martin Hudak recommends using Mr Black as a base for building cocktails. Given its lower sugar content than other coffee liqueurs, it won’t overpower the drink. Hudak enjoys using Mr Black in the following cocktails:  

• Espresso Martini: Combine 60ml of Mr Black and 30 ml of espresso in a shaker with ice and shake hard. Strain into a coup glass.
• White Russian: Mix 2 parts vodka and 1 part Mr Black to a glass with ice. Top with heavy cream or milk.
• Mr Black Eggnog: Marry together 375 ml of Mr Black with 1 cup bourbon, 6 whole eggs, 1 cup sugar, pinch of salt, 2.5 cups milk, 0.5 cups heavy cream, pinch of nutmeg. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour and whisky vigorously before serving. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Or a lazier yet equally satisfying option: just add Mr Black to cold milk for a boozy iced latte.