Coffee Blog

What is Bourbon Coffee?

Not long ago, if you suspected that a coworker was drinking bourbon coffee on the job, you might want to contact HR. At least have a talk with that coworker and make sure everything was OK.

These days, “bourbon coffee” means something different. It no longer suggests spiking that tall mug of bean and caffeine. Instead, it’s something much better.

Fire Dept. Coffee, in 2016, introduced our signature Spirit Infused Coffee to the world when we perfected our unique infusion process that embeds the unforgettable notes of our favorite spirits into the rich, bold flavor of our other favorite beverage — coffee.

The result was an exceptional new drink for lovers of both coffee and spirits. And the best part is that spirit infused coffee is safe to drink anytime because the alcohol content disappears during the roasting process, leaving the flavorful notes of the spirits intact and leaving you fully capable of operating heavy machinery.

In the years since we began roasting spirit infused coffee, our bourbon coffee roasts have been hands-down our most popular. So we give the people what we want, in new ways all the time.

How It’s Made: Bourbon Coffee

You know what they say … Often imitated, never duplicated.

Fire Dept. Coffee perfected our signature infusion process and introduced our Spirit Infused Coffee back in 2016. Since then, coffee roasters from coast to coast and beyond have noticed its popularity and attempted to replicate the magic we created.

We may be biased — OK, we are definitely, unapologetically biased — but we believe that no other roaster has yet cracked the code to produce a Spirit Infused roast that matches ours. And our most popular roasts are our bourbon coffee varieties.

Let’s start by how it’s not made. It’s not made by pouring bourbon into your cup of coffee. That’s more of a mixed drink, and we don’t recommend it. Not for any sort of regular consumption, certainly.

Our Bourbon Infused Coffee is non-alcoholic so you can enjoy the tastes of world-class coffee and fine bourbon anytime you want. Even while operating heavy machinery. Which we do often, considering many members of our team are active firefighters.

The Fire Dept. Coffee specialty is the product of our signature process that creates bourbon infused coffee beans, creating a perfect blend that features notes of bourbon and coffee, simultaneously.

3 Things to Look for in Bourbon Coffee

When two things are as awesome as bourbon and coffee, they were bound to get together at some point.

We assume they met at a bar.

Bourbon goes into a cup of coffee, sparks fly and everyone knows immediately that they were made for each other. But like every good relationship, that bond has matured with time.

It’s not about the alcohol anymore.

The best bourbon coffee is bourbon infused coffee, so you get the amazing tastes of fine bourbon and delicious coffee. Just without all the blackouts and regret.

With bourbon infused coffee, the alcohol content disappears during the roasting process, so you can enjoy it anytime. Fire Dept. Coffee was a pioneer of the Spirit Infused Coffee craze. So if you want to know what to look for when you’re looking for bourbon coffee, we’ve got you covered.

How to Make Iced Coffee with Bourbon-Infused Beans

Iced bourbon coffee? Yes, please.

Or should we call it bourbon coffee on the rocks?

No matter what you call it, the result is a delicious cup of coffee with an added layer of cool refreshment.

The rising popularity of Bourbon Infused Coffee is no surprise. It’s the perfect marriage of rich bold coffee with smooth notes of the finest bourbons. So it’s natural to want to try bourbon coffee in all its glorious forms.

So whether you’re a fan of iced coffee or cold brews, the good news is that bourbon infused coffee beans make an incredible cold, caffeinated cup of your favorite beverage.

It’s easy to make and worth it every time.

How to Make Bourbon-Infused Coffee Ice Cream

Sometimes we wake up and know it’s going to be a long day or a tough day. On those days, we like to make a mental list of the things that make us happy.

The things that make the hardest days instantly better.

Then we find ways to incorporate those little bursts of good vibes throughout the day. Coffee is at the top of this list.

When we’re facing the type of day that is going to need an extra strong jolt of happiness at some point — you know the kind of days we’re talking about — we like to take things from our happy list and combine them.

That’s how we arrived at bourbon coffee ice cream.

I know, right?

Bourbon + Coffee + Ice Cream = Pure Happiness

The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make. We’re talking a few minutes of prep and then throw it in the freezer so it’ll be waiting for you at the end of that long day. Then, whatever happens for the rest of the day, you’ll know you’ve got bourbon coffee ice cream waiting at home.

Check out our recipe and give it a try.

The Best of Bourbon Coffee

Once you’ve developed a taste for bourbon infused coffee, there’s no going back. You’re going to crave that aroma, the way it fills the kitchen or the car. You’re going to think about that first sip all day long, the one that hit just right and set the tone for a fine day.

You’re going to want to recreate that moment. But … you may want a little variety. That’s OK. Bourbon isn’t just bourbon. Coffee isn’t just coffee. There’s an entire universe of combinations out there waiting to be explored.

Fire Dept. Coffee has you covered. We’ve got an entire selection of delicious, non-alcoholic bourbon coffee for you to experience. And you never know when we’ll be coming up with our next innovative blend.

For now, here’s what you have to look forward to …

Bourbon Infused Coffee

This is the original. This is where it all began. Don’t be surprised if this is the one you keep coming back to because it’s close to perfection.

It’s bold. It’s smooth. It’s just right. This is the best of both worlds. Thanks to our signature spirit infused process, you can enjoy the sweet taste of barrel-aged bourbon any time of day. Two of your favorite flavors have finally come together. The best bourbon, like the best coffee, goes down easy every time.

Available in ground coffee, whole bean or coffee pods.

Vanilla Bean Bourbon Infused Coffee

It may be vanilla, but this bourbon coffee is anything but boring.

It’s one of the most popular bourbon coffee options because it simultaneously captures the sweet, rich taste of vanilla bean while incorporating the finest aspects of premium bourbon. You’ll notice the vanilla first before the bourbon arrives to finish off the experience.

It’s just the right level of sweetness to complement the smooth bourbon, and it’s a perfect way to enjoy two of your favorite tastes any time of day.

Available in ground coffee, whole bean or coffee pods.

Black Cherry Bourbon Infused Coffee

Are you ready for this?

Tart and juicy black cherries. Followed by just the subtlest hint of sweet vanilla. And all wrapped up in a warm blanket of rich, smooth bourbon.

When Black Cherry Bourbon Coffee first arrived as a limited-edition roast, the response was immediate and enthusiastic. It sold out so quickly that we had to make another run of it as a limited edition. Then, because the requests kept coming in, we made it a staple of our Spirit Infused Coffee collection.

It might just become your favorite, too.

Available in ground coffee or whole bean.

Salted Caramel Bourbon Infused Coffee

Sweet. Savory. Smooth.

This bourbon coffee has it all, and it will have you pouring a second cup. Then a third. Then a … well, you get it. Just saying, this is some good coffee.

The caramel delivers those rich, buttery notes, balanced by just a pinch of salt that perfectly complements the coffee beans. Yet more so than other infused roasts, it’s the bourbon that is the real star of the show here. Premium, aged bourbon that is rich and satisfying.

It all comes together for a delightfully decadent cup of coffee, paired with a sweet, inviting aroma to complete the full sensory experience.

Available in ground coffee or whole bean.

Decaf Bourbon Infused Coffee

We get it. You gotta sleep sometimes. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite coffee in the evenings.

Consider this your nightcap.

Decaf Bourbon Coffee brings you all the delicious notes of premium, aged bourbon and high-quality coffee beans. It’s ideal for winding down at the end of a long shift, a long day or a long week. Just sit back and enjoy it, letting the aroma soothe you and focus on the full experience of this rich decaf bourbon coffee.

Available in ground coffee or whole bean.

Ready for More Spirit-Infused Coffee?

Everyone loves bourbon coffee. Or at least it sure seems like it. But it’s only the tip of the iceberg when we’re talking about the full range of Spirit Infused Coffees.

The great thing about coffee lovers and lovers of fine spirits is that they often have adventurous natures and are always craving something new to taste and experience.

They wander rows upon rows at their favorite neighborhood store, looking for labels that catch their eye and closely examining the ones that intrigue them. Both coffee and spirits can come in a variety of forms and flavors. So when you combine the two, the possibilities are endless.

Yes, Fire Dept. Coffee is constantly roasting new bourbon infused coffee blends. But there’s more to explore.

Our Whiskey Infused Coffee includes favorites like Irish Whiskey Infused, Canadian Maple Whisky Infused or Cinnamon Whiskey Infused.

We also roast Rum Infused Coffee and Tequila Infused Coffee. Throughout the year, special Limited-Edition Spirit Infused Roasts are available.

So what will you try next?

Join the Spirit Infused Coffee Club

Once you’ve fallen in love with Spirit Infused Coffee, you’re going to be all in.

You’re going to want to try it all. And you’re going to look forward to every new roast with the anticipation of a kid on Christmas morning.

The good news? Christmas comes 12 times a year for members of our Spirit Infused Coffee Club.

Each month, members receive a new specialty roast delivered automatically to their door, so they can continue to expand their spirit infused horizons and treat themselves to new tastes all year long. Every month is a glorious surprise, a new taste to treat yourself.

You never know what it’ll be next, but you can rest assured that our coffee roasting team is constantly dreaming up new possibilities and working nonstop to make them a reality. We are constantly testing and tasting new spirit infused roasts to find the ones we think we’ll delight our coffee-loving friends.

Hey, it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it, right?

Spirit Infused Coffee Club members get a first and exclusive taste of the best of the best. So sign up today, and we’ll start sending delicious roasts infused with premium spirits to your door again and again and again.