Tia Maria
The coffee liqueur with vanilla and Jamaican rum that made the Espresso Martini a classic. Everything you need to know about its flavor, alcohol content, cocktails, and the glass to serve it in.
A Jamaican family recipe that went around the world
Tia Maria originally comes from Jamaica. The story goes that a family recipe for coffee liqueur was lost during unrest on the island and only rediscovered years later; the drink is said to have been named after the aunt who had kept the recipe. After World War II, the recipe was relaunched, and Tia Maria became one of the best-known coffee liqueurs in the world.
The liqueur is made with coffee extract, vanilla, sugar, and Jamaican rum, and has an alcohol content of 20%. That's low enough to drink neat over ice and high enough to hold its own in a cocktail. Today, Tia Maria is produced by ILLVA Saronno in Saronno, Italy, the company behind Disaronno, and exported to more than sixty countries.
In brief
What sizes of Tia Maria are available?
One recipe, three sizes. The choice depends on how often you make Espresso Martinis.
Tia Maria 70 cl
The standard bottle. Makes about 28 Espresso Martinis with 25 ml each, so it's the logical choice for a home bar.
Tia Maria 35 cl
The half-size bottle for occasional use, or to try before committing to a full bottle.
Tia Maria 5 cl
The 5 cl mini bottle: just enough for two Espresso Martinis, or as a small gift.
The 70 cl bottle will last you longest if you're making Espresso Martinis.
Roasted coffee with vanilla
Coffee & vanilla
Freshly roasted coffee with a distinct note of vanilla and a hint of rum underneath. It smells almost like a coffee dessert.
Sweet but not sticky
Sweet and full-bodied with espresso flavor, but with enough bitterness from the coffee to stay balanced. Less syrupy than many coffee liqueurs.
Coffee bitterness
A medium-length finish with roasted coffee and cocoa, and a slight warmth from the rum. That makes it easy to drink, even neat.
Tia Maria’s flavor profile. For comparison, Kahlúa has 16% alcohol and is noticeably sweeter and more syrupy.
Three ways to drink Tia Maria
Tia Maria is the coffee liqueur most bartenders reach for because it’s less sweet than the competition. Drink it neat, with milk or shaken with espresso.
As an Espresso Martini
Shake 25 ml of Tia Maria, 50 ml of vodka and 30 ml of fresh espresso hard with ice, then strain into a coupe. Shaking hard is the secret: that’s what creates the layer of foam.
View the recipe →On the rocks
5 cl of Tia Maria over ice in a tumbler, with a piece of orange peel. Chilled, it’s less sweet and the coffee bitterness comes through. The easiest after-dinner drink.
Glass: tumbler →With milk or coffee
5 cl of Tia Maria with a splash of whole milk over ice makes a White Russian without vodka. Or add a splash to your coffee for a quick coffee liqueur.
White Russian recipe →The best cocktails with Tia Maria
Espresso Martini
Vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur, shaken hard for that layer of foam.
Black Russian
Vodka and coffee liqueur over ice. It doesn't get any simpler.
White Russian
Black Russian topped with a layer of cream or milk.
Mudslide
Vodka, coffee liqueur and cream liqueur. A milkshake for adults.The right glass for Tia Maria
A coupe or martini glass for the Espresso Martini, a tumbler for on the rocks and an Irish coffee glass for the hot version. These are the glasses we recommend.
Everything else you wanted to know about Tia Maria
Can't find your question here? Browse our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What percentage of alcohol does Tia Maria contain?
What is Tia Maria made from?
What's the difference between Tia Maria and Kahlúa?
Which coffee liqueur should you use in an Espresso Martini?
Should you refrigerate Tia Maria?
Where does Tia Maria come from?
Buy Tia Maria
Want the bottle delivered straight to your home? Order Tia Maria online at Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
