Coffee liqueur and substitutions
Understand how sweetness, alcohol, and roast character change the final drink.
Sweetness varies
Taste the liqueur before adding syrup. A sweeter bottle may need no extra sugar.
Drier alternatives
Use less liqueur and more espresso, or choose a less-sweet coffee liqueur.
No coffee liqueur
Combine a dark spirit or vodka with a measured coffee syrup. The result will differ, but the balance can still work.
Zero-proof options
Use alcohol-free coffee liqueur or a small amount of coffee syrup with an alcohol-free dark spirit.