Halloween is the one night a year when everyone agrees sugar is part of the fun. The candy bowl by the door. The fun-size bars you swear you’re only taking one of. We get it, and we’re not here to take that away.
But here’s something that might actually give you a chill: the cocktail in your hand can carry as much sugar as the candy.
The scary math
The espresso martini is a party favorite for good reason. It’s rich, it’s cold, and it wakes everyone up for round two. Most of its sweetness comes from one ingredient: the coffee liqueur.
A traditional coffee liqueur carries about 30 grams of sugar in 2.5 ounces. That’s roughly 12 grams in every ounce you pour.
Now the candy. A full-size chocolate candy bar has about 27 grams of sugar. A fun-size bar has about 9 grams.
Put them side by side:
- 2.5 oz of traditional coffee liqueur: about 30g of sugar. That’s more than a full-size candy bar.
- The 1 oz in a single espresso martini: about 12g. That’s more than a fun-size bar.
- Three espresso martinis over a long Halloween party: about 36g from the liqueur alone. That’s four fun-size bars.
And many espresso martini recipes add simple syrup on top of that. Scary, right?
The treat without the trick
This is exactly why we started Above Board.
Our Coffee Liqueur is made with dark roast espresso from Dropkick Coffee here in San Diego, and it’s crafted without sugar. We sweeten it with plant-based monk fruit and allulose, so it has 0g sugar per serving and zero glycemic impact. It’s also gluten-free and keto-friendly (see the nutrition facts).
You get the same deep coffee flavor and the same velvety foam on top. You just leave the sugar in the candy bowl, where it belongs.
The AB Espresso Martini
- 1 oz Above Board Coffee Liqueur
- ¼ oz Above Board Original Simple Syrup
- 1 oz espresso, brewed and cooled
- 1 oz vanilla vodka
Method: Add everything to a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake hard, like you just heard something in the basement, then double strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with three espresso beans.
Our Original Simple Syrup has 0g sugar per serving too, so nothing sneaks back in.
Something darker: the Revolver
Want a moodier sip for a costume party? The Revolver is bourbon and coffee with a twist of orange, and it’s the easiest cocktail on our list to make ahead.
- 1 ½ oz Above Board Coffee Liqueur
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3 dashes orange bitters
Method: Stir with ice until very cold, strain over a large ice cube, and express an orange peel over the top.
Hosting? Batch it. For about 8 drinks, stir together 12 oz Coffee Liqueur, 16 oz bourbon and about ¾ oz orange bitters, then keep it in the fridge. Pour over ice as guests arrive and you’re free to enjoy your own party.
For bars and restaurants
Espresso martinis are a go-to order from Halloween through New Year’s. Above Board Coffee Liqueur fits into the espresso martini your team already makes, and it gives guests who are watching their sugar a reason to order another round. Request a tasting for your team.
Where to find Above Board
Order Above Board online at drinkaboveboard.com, where bottles are fulfilled and shipped by our licensed retail partner. Order by Friday, October 23 so your bottle arrives in time for Halloween weekend. You can also ask for Above Board at your favorite bar.
Frequently asked questions
How much sugar is in an espresso martini?
It depends on the recipe, but the coffee liqueur is usually the biggest source. A traditional coffee liqueur has about 12 grams of sugar per ounce, so the 1 ounce in a single espresso martini carries about 12 grams before any simple syrup goes in.
Is Above Board Coffee Liqueur sugar-free?
It’s crafted without sugar, with 0g sugar per serving. We sweeten it with plant-based monk fruit and allulose, and it’s gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Can I buy Above Board online?
Yes. Order at drinkaboveboard.com, and our licensed retail partner fulfills and ships your bottle. For Halloween, order by Friday, October 23.
Happy Halloween from all of us at Above Board. Keep the treats in the bowl and the tricks out of your glass.
Please enjoy responsibly. Must be 21 or older to purchase.
Sources: sugar in a traditional coffee liqueur from published nutrition data (30g per 2.5 oz); candy bar sugar from a leading chocolate candy bar’s published nutrition facts (27g full size, 9g fun size). Above Board figures from our product labels.