Blanco Agave
37% Alc./Vol
What's the difference between spirits and liqueurs?
You’ve probably noticed there’s more than one kind of coffee-flavoured booze out there — coffee liqueur, coffee vodka, coffee agave. Same vibe, different game.
So what’s the actual difference?
The drinks world loves to overcomplicate things, but at Casa, we like to keep it simple. Here’s the no-B.S. breakdown of what separates a spirit from a liqueur, and when to reach for each.
Spirits: The Backbone
Spirits are the base of it all — strong, clean, and built to mix or sip.
They’re usually bottled around 34%–40% alc/vol and don’t contain added sugar or artificial flavouring beyond what comes from distillation or barrel ageing.
Our Casa Café Agave, for example, starts as a true agave spirit, smooth, bold, using our Blanco Agave as a base, then gets a real coffee infusion to give it depth and character. But it still behaves like a spirit. It’s drier, higher in alcohol, and holds its own in cocktails without tipping into syrupy territory.
That’s why a Café Agave Espresso Martini hits different — the flavour’s rich and roasty, but the finish stays crisp.
Liqueurs: The Flavoured Crew
Liqueurs are where the flavour party happens. They start with a spirit base, then get a generous dose of sugar and natural flavouring to make them lush, sweet, and easy to sip.
A coffee liqueur, for example, leans into sweetness. It’s made for dessert cocktails, creamy after-dinner drinks, and anyone who likes their coffee with extra sugar. They usually sit around 18% ABV and bring big flavour with a smooth, velvety finish.
They’re brilliant in cocktails where you want sweetness and texture — like a classic Espresso Martini or a Mudslide — but they’re not built to replace a spirit entirely.
How to Tell the Difference
Here’s the easy test:
- Want a punchy base that carries flavour without the sweetness? Go for a spirit like Café Agave.
- Want a sweet hit that adds depth and smoothness? Go for a coffee liqueur.
- Want both? Mix them. Seriously — try half and half it in our Espresso Martini. Game changer.
