photo by Jes Gutierrez-Switaj
Char & Stave, coffee made by whiskey people, will celebrate its first foray into coffee-based spirits with the launch of Char & Stave Coffee Liqueur and Char & Stave Café Amaro – both available on September 29, National Coffee Day. The coffee roastery and café concept is joining forces with parent company and award-winning craft distillery, Bluebird Distilling. Made using Char & Stave signature coffee roasted beans and Bluebird Distilling scratch-made spirit base, both liqueurs will be available online at www.charandstave.com and will ship to 42 states nationwide, in addition to Pennsylvania Fine wine & Spirit stores, and at both Char & Stave locations beginning on National Coffee Day: Sunday, September 29.
Named for the barrels used for aging Bluebird Distilling bourbon and now, coffee, Char & Stave carries an ethos rooted in the phrase that populates its branding, signage and café décor: “coffee made by whiskey people”. The chic café, cocktail hotspot, and bottle shop carrying Bluebird Distilling spirits opened its flagship location in the heart of bustling Ardmore, Pennsylvania in March of 2021 – followed by the warm reception of a second locale in the historic Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia in October of 2023. Now, in an expansion of business operations, the café and cocktail bar is making its first foray into craft spirits production with coffee-minded libations ideal for coffee creatives looking to build quality, java-centric cocktails at home; such as an Espresso Martini, White Russian, Caffe Negroni, and more.
“We’ve been producing craft spirits at Bluebird Distilling for just about ten years – I’m very excited to introduce our Char & Stave coffee brand to the spirits world, as well,” said Adkins. “Our coffee liqueurs are made to be versatile – our fans have been enjoying the new spirits at their favorite Philadelphia-region bars and restaurants, but now coffee lovers can get quality coffee liqueur and café amaro shipped directly to their door – nationwide.”
Char & Stave Classic Coffee Liqueur (60 proof, 750 ml, $34.99) is crafted using Char & Stave Arabica Coffee and Bluebird Distilling Vodka, one batch at a time with no artificial flavors. The spirit presents a velvety smooth mouthfeel, with savory chocolate notes up front followed by tinges of citrus, and a finish of slightly sweet dried fruits. Shines in an Espresso Martini, White Russian, or “Night Cap” (3 oz. on the rocks).
Char & Stave Café Amaro Coffee Liqueur (60 proof, 750 ml, $39.99) is a bittersweet coffee liqueur blended with a balance of citrus and botanicals spanning Oris root, angelica, cardamom, chamomile, lemon peel, gtrapefruit peel and gentian root – made one batch at a time with no artificial flavors. Shines in a Coffee Negroni, Char n’ Tonic, and more.
All Char & Stave coffee beans are roasted in-house, with beans sourced from small farmers and microplots worldwide. Both spirits are made with Char & Stave Arabica Coffee (62% Peru Cajamarca, 20% Costa Rica Central Valley, 18% Natural Papua New Guina Wahgi Valley). After the beans are roasted, a two-day Cold Brew method is employed to ensure maximum flavor and velvety smoothness.
Additionally, on National Coffee Day, coffee-lovers can line up at both Char & Stave locations from 8 am – 12 pm to receive one complimentary 12 oz. cup of Everyday coffee per guest, featuring Char & Stave’s Everyday Blend, roasted using beans from Peru and Costa Rica. Guests aged 21+ are invited to indulge in complimentary tastings of new Char & Stave Spirits all day during opening hours. Cash tips for baristas are still highly encouraged. Char & Stave Ardmore: 21 Rittenhouse Place. Char & Stave Chestnut Hill: 8441 Germantown Ave.
Char & Stave liqueurs, beans, and coffee are available online at www.charandstave.com.
Both Char & Stave locations are open Monday-Thursday, 7 am – 11 pm, Friday from 8 am – 12 am, Saturday from 8 am – 12 am and Sunday from 8 am – 11 pm.
21 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, PA 19003
8441 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA
(484) 414-4102 | www.charandstave.com | @charandstavecoffee
Philadelphia RowHome Magazine's Blog 