Santa Maria al Monte Caffè Ligure Coffee Liqueur
Santa Maria al Monte Caffè Ligure Coffee Liqueur is the coffee liqueur from the historic Genoese amaro house whose bitter recipe was patented in 1892 and carried for three generations by the family of Nicola Vignale, whose name still appears on the label. It is produced today by Gruppo Caffo using the original recipes and methods. The coffee is mostly arabica with some robusta, sourced from Ethiopia, Honduras, Brazil and Uganda and roasted in small batches by an artisanal roaster in Calabria; the beans are macerated in hot water and that infusion is blended with a neutral grain distillate, vanilla, cocoa and beet sugar, then bottled at 30% ABV in a 700mL bottle. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Proof / ABV: 60 proof (30% ABV)
- Coffee: Arabica and robusta from Ethiopia, Honduras, Brazil and Uganda
- Producer: Gruppo Caffo, from the Santa Maria al Monte house, Genoa
- Size: 700mL
- Origin: Liguria, Italy
A Genoese Coffee Liqueur Since the 1892 House
Santa Maria al Monte began as a Ligurian herbal house — its amaro recipe was patented in 1892 and judged "superior to fernet" by the director of the University of Genoa's Medical Clinic. Caffè Ligure applies that same herbal-house discipline to coffee: small-batch roasted beans, a hot-water maceration, and vanilla and cocoa to round the roast. Explore more liqueurs and the wider spirits shelf at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
The producer describes a rich espresso nose, a sweet, coating palate like chocolate-covered coffee beans with bright acidity, and a finish that recalls Italian pocket-coffee candies. Skurnik, its US importer, notes rich chocolate, vanilla and marshmallow in an Espresso Martini serve.
How to Enjoy
Sweet enough to sip neat after dinner, and balanced enough for cocktails — an Espresso Martini, a White Russian or a coffee-forward Old Fashioned — and it pours beautifully over vanilla ice cream. Browse cocktails and gift sets at Del Mesa for more after-dinner pours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is Caffè Ligure?
60 proof (30% ABV), bottled in 700mL.
Who makes Santa Maria al Monte today?
Gruppo Caffo, using the original recipes and methods of the Genoese house carried for three generations by the Nicola Vignale family.
What coffee is in it?
Mostly arabica with some robusta from Ethiopia, Honduras, Brazil and Uganda, roasted in small batches in Calabria, blended with vanilla, cocoa and beet sugar.
How should I serve it?
Neat after dinner, over ice cream, or in an Espresso Martini or White Russian.
Order Santa Maria al Monte Caffè Ligure Coffee Liqueur online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — Genoa's pocket-coffee classic, in a bottle.