What is Tia Maria?

Travel Distilled explains what Tia Maria is, the history of this coffee liqueur, how and where it’s made, how to drink it and its use in cocktails and cooking.

Tia Maria is a globally-renowned liqueur that boasts of an impressive blend of coffee beans, Jamaican rum, vanilla, and sugar. Each ingredient works in harmony, yielding a liqueur that carries both a strong yet delightful taste of coffee and a slight touch of Jamaican spirit.

Recognized as a perfect complement for cocktails, Tia Maria is also revered as an ideal finish for culinary delights. Its remarkable flavour leaves a lasting impact, creating an unforgettable dining and drinking experience.

What is Tia Maria’s History?

Tracing its origin to the mid-17th century, Tia Maria’s tale unfolds in the beautiful, chaotic landscape of Colonial Jamaica. Its creation is attributed to a Spanish aristocratic woman who, fleeing conflict, took her beloved maid’s coffee bean recipe along with her. To keep the tradition alive, the woman named the drink ‘Tia Maria’, a name synonymous with “Aunt Maria”.

What is Tia Maria’s Production Process?

To create this celebrated liqueur, carefully chosen coffee beans are roasted to perfection and ground. The grounds are then steeped in water, sugar, vanilla, and rum. This infusion takes approximately three weeks, a wait worth the wonderful result – a liqueur that effortlessly unites coffee’s rich, hearty flavour with the vanilla’s sweet notes, underlined by the sugarcane-based Jamaican rum’s invigorating touch.

Tia Maria is distinguished not only by its distinctive flavour, but also by its striking appearance. Bottled in an elegant black-tinted vessel with a white emblem, Tia Maria presents an image as attractive as its flavour.

Where is Tia Maria Made?

While Tia Maria originated in Jamaica, its current production has become international. Despite the relocation of its manufacturing process to different parts of the world, the authentic Jamaican spirit continues to influence the Tia Maria we relish today.

What is Tia Maria’s Cultural Significance?

Having journeyed from Jamaica to the rest of the world, Tia Maria is considered a classic and cosmopolitan liqueur. It is savoured in an array of settings, from casual get-togethers to refined dining experiences. Embraced as a luxurious, grown-up indulgence, Tia Maria continues to leave its footprint on the international culinary and beverage scene.

How and When to Drink Tia Maria?

Tia Maria’s versatility enables it to fit various occasions. Enjoyed both straight and mixed, its complex flavor profile adds depth and sophistication to the drinking experience. Whether as an after-dinner treat, a midday pick-me-up or a party cocktail ingredient, Tia Maria’s exquisite blend works wonders. For a warming drink, Tia Maria pairs wonderfully with coffee or in hot chocolate, while for a cooler experience, try it with cola or even in an iced coffee.

Tia Maria in Cocktails and Cooking

Tia Maria’s allure goes beyond a simple liqueur; it adds an extra layer of flavour when used in cocktails. In a Tia Maria Espresso Martini or a Dark Maria (aka Black Maria), the liqueur’s complexity and versatility shines.

Equally, Tia Maria serves as a gourmet addition in various culinary adventures. When incorporated in desserts like tiramisu, ice cream, or coffee-flavoured cakes, it lends an extra dimension, transforming a great recipe into a sublime treat.