Kahlúa Just Released A New Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur In Partnership With Dunkin'
This week, Kahlúa coffee liqueur made its largest investment in the cream liqueur category with its release of Kahlúa Dunkin' Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur.
As the name implies, this new release is a collaboration between Kahlúa and Dunkin', America's largest coffee and donuts brand. The product is a mix of Arabic coffee, rum, cream and Dunkin' Caramel Swirl, one of Dunkin's bestselling Swirl flavors, in a ready-to-pour simple serve, which will join Kahlúa's permanent portfolio
'This collaboration and innovation was very much inspired by the ways shoppers already enjoy Kahlúa, with coffee and cream or milk,' Caroline Begley, vice president of marketing at Kahlúa, told Forbes . 'This, paired with the growing trend of making customizable, easy and creative coffee solutions at home, made now the perfect time for this partnership.'
Coffee cocktails have been on the rise since 2020 when the espresso martini experienced a resurgence in popularity from its 1980s glory. The combination of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages and at-home bartending furthered the continued popularity of hard coffees so that the category continues to top bar industry trend reports. In 2024, Diageo Bar Academy saw espresso martini consumption increase from 2 percent to 15 percent and it's even been classified as one of the top-selling cocktails in America.
Though there are many variations of espresso martini recipes, Kahlúa is widely favored as the coffee liqueur component; in fact, its been the number one best-selling coffee liqueur in the world since the 1980s, according to IWSR data. Still, the brand isn't shy from innovating as they released their first cream-based liqueur, Chocolate Sips, last fall as a limited-edition launch.
The choice to introduce Kahlúa Dunkin' Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur to their permanent portfolio was a deliberate decision as 'caramel and coffee isn't just a seasonal trend, it's a year-round favorite,' said Begley. 'We're stirring up everyday occasions with Dunkin', a brand already so integral in daily routines.'
Begley explained how the development process required several months of 'rigorous testing' and refinement. 'We explored multiple iterations to strike the perfect balance of creamy sweetness and notes of rich caramel and roasted coffee,' she shared.
The Kahlúa team wanted this new liqueur to be familiar but exciting—tapping into the nostalgia trend that cocktail culture is currently experiencing—to both long-time loyalists and curious newcomers, dessert lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike. 'The result is a rich and creamy liqueur that has the sweet aroma of toffee, vanilla, and dulce de leche, blended with hints of coffee, chocolate and rum,' Begley described.
The release of Kahlúa Dunkin' Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur also marks a first for Dunkin' as it's the brand's debut into cream liqueurs. 'We're very proud to be their partners in this exciting new chapter,' said Begley. 'Brand collaborations can be a great way to innovate and drive consideration, especially when two brands come together in an authentic way.'
Begley recommends serving Kahlúa Dunkin' Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur well-chilled, either neat or over ice, and for a fun, indulgent twist on your weekend or holiday cup of coffee, add in a splash for a creamy, caramel twist.
If you have a Dunkin' nearby, Begley advised trying it on the rocks with a glazed Dunkin' Munchkin or serving it neat alongside a powdered sugar Munchkin 'for a presentation that brings the whole flavor experience to life.'
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