Coffee collab highlights local produce

ITINERANT Spirits has collaborated with Karon Farm Coffee to create a bottled espresso martini.

The creation began as a one-off for last year’s Dark Obsidian Beer Festival and is now available across Victoria.

“We were attending the festival with just our clear spirits, Gallivanter Gin and Vansetter Vodka, and wanted something dark and playful for the occasion,” James Fairlie, head distiller at Itinerant Spirits said.

“That sparked the idea for the Vansetter Coffee Liqueur, using our vodka as the base and pairing it with exceptional coffee from Karon Farm.

“I reached out to Karon Farm Coffee with a flavour brief, and by the next day they’d delivered samples.”

Marcus Frangos from Karon Farm Coffee said he is passionate about pairing great coffee and local products.

“Working with James and the Itinerant team was seamless,” he said.

“They really value quality and local connection, which is exactly what we’re about at Karon Farm.

“We love working with other local Ballarat businesses.”

The coffee liqueur was refined with panela sugar from Ballarat-based Grounded Pleasures and subtle orange peel.

“The coffee is brewed hot and then chilled, rather than cold brewed,” Mr Frangos said.

“This allows for unique characteristics to shine through due to the higher extraction possible with hot water.

“It also lets us achieve higher concentration levels in less time and maintain the integrity of the flavour.”

The product is available online and in 20 stores across Victoria.