by Heather M Davis

Created on: May 09, 2011   Last Updated: May 10, 2011

Jamaican coffee is a great, cold, treat in hot summer months that can transport you right to the Caribbean with a sip.  Jamaican coffee is well known for being a high quality, pricey, coffee.  Due to it's limited growth region, it can be difficult to get the right kind of coffee for this tasty adult beverage, but never fear. When considering how to make Jamaican coffee, there are plenty of options. 

The base ingredients of Jamaican coffee are 1 part rum, 1 part coffee liqueur, 1 part black coffee, and 3 parts cold water.  Pour them into a champagne flute or Irish coffee glass, then top with whipped cream and garnish with very fine coffee grounds or a chocolate covered espresso bean. 

That is the simple part.  When choosing the liquor, most people prefer a dark rum to go into this drink.   While lighter rums are generally more popular, dark rum has a strong, sweet, flavor, reminiscent of vanilla and molasses, that well complements this beverage.  For the coffee liqueur, Kahlua is a well known option, and may be the first one most people reach for due to familiarity.  For proper Jamaican coffee, Tia Maria is a superior choice, though.  Tia Maria is actually made from Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, which gives it the same flavor profile as the coffee base in the beverage.

For the coffee itself, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is clearly the best choice for this drink, however, at nearly $40 a pound, that may be a little out of most people's price range when they are considering what to drink this summer.   Jamaican coffee is well known for it's smooth, rich flavor.  Coffee connoisseurs describe this coffee as sweet with a chocolate or creamy flavor.  It is a light roast, making it more caffeinated than it's darker roast counter parts.   Other coffees may be substituted, check their flavor profiles for light roast, with sweet vanilla or floral undertones.  Acidic, bright, citrusy coffees should be avoided for a more traditional Jamaican coffee, though at the drinker's discretion, the coffee base may be replaced with a dark roast or even an espresso shot for a little extra oomph.

Regardless of how close the drinker sticks to the traditional recipe, Jamaican coffee is a delicious drink with a hint of rum and enough wake me up to keep everyone going throughout the hot summer days.  Make some for one, or make a pitcher for a patio or garden party, and keep the fun going all night.

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