By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published May 14, 2016 at 10:37 AM

Until yesterday, I had always kept my booze and my coffee separate – I never cared for coffee beers or liqueurs – however, after trying the new coffee vodka at Central Standard Distillery, 613 S. 2nd St., I am in full support of the combo.

The coffee vodka, made with Anodyne Coffee's Brazil Magiano beans, has a caramel color and a lasting – but not overpowering – coffee taste. It's made by simply steeping coffee beans in the spirit for a few days.

According to Central Standard co-founder, Pat McQuillan, the unique libation contains just a trace of caffeine and works well as an ingredient in numerous cocktails. 

"It is very good when mixed with anything cream based – Rumchata goes particularly well with it," says McQuillan. "Also, anything chocolate, like a chocolate martini is really good, too."

The coffee vodka, which was released at the end of 2015, is currently used in two cocktails at Central Standard: The Classy Dude, which is a take on the White Russian, and the Eye Opener, made with oatmeal stout, coffee vodka, cream and a touch of caramel.

We found both of the drinks to be tasty, particularly the Classy Dude, which doubles as a cocktail and a dessert. The Eye Opener was a bit lighter and had a complex flavor that started out with the zing of the beer's carbonation and finished sweet from the caramel.

Mixologist Dan Moore created both of the drinks, which cost $8 each, and bottles are available onsite and in liquor stores for $26-$29.

"It’s easy to create something good when you’re working with great products," says Moore.

Speaking of easy, how easy would it be to dribble a few drops of this in your morning coffee? Waaaaay too easy indeed.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.