“Hey careful, man, there’s a beverage here!” And not just any beverage – it’s Lebowski’s Kool-Luah coffee liqueur, and the Boozy Blondes are taking you behind the brand to learn all about this award-winning spirit, new on the scene! This story is one of passion, heritage and a little bit of serendipity…
Chrissy and Molly sit down with Monica and Dave Kowalski, owners of Lebowski’s Taproom in Colorado Springs, and founders of Lebowski’s Kool-Luah. The DOE features this delicious coffee liqueur – in espresso martinis for the blondes and White Russians for the Kowalskis.
Lebowski’s Kool-Luah broke into the beverage scene in June 2024. Monica had stumbled upon an old, handwritten recipe from her dad – a homemade coffee liqueur he used to make around the holidays and gift to friends and family. Monica vaguely remembered this drink and out of nostalgia, decided to try to make it herself. When she nailed the recipe, she was pleasantly surprised at how good it was and decided to offer it to her guests at Lebowski’s Tap Room…perfect test market, right? The feedback was nothing short of overwhelming!
Seeing the buzz and recognizing the potential, Monica and Dave knew they had something special on their hands (and spoiler alert, they now have a collection of awards to prove just how special). They decided to take a leap and bring this recipe to market. They teamed up with Blackhat Distillery out of Colorado Springs and the result is a fun, approachable liqueur, that’s less sweet than many others on the market today, boasting only 65 calories per ounce! It’s vodka-based paired with rich Columbian coffee. This sippable craft spirit delivers a bold coffee punch and is great poured over ice, perfect in a White Russian (a nod to the Taproom’s namesake, The Big Lebowski), or used to elevate your favorite cocktail.
If you visit the taproom, you can indulge in over 50 White Russian varieties – complete the White Russian challenge, and if you complete it, you earn a shirt to prove it! (You know the Boozy Blondes love a good drinking challenge.) If you’re interested in purchasing your own bottle of Kool-Luah, you can order online or visit your local Total Wine store. Keep an eye out because they are expanding to 27 states and 240 stores!
The girls expect the expansion to happen quickly because since its launch, Lebowski’s Kooh-Luah has been racking up the awards. Their impressive collection includes Gold at the Denver International Spirits Competition, Silver at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Best in Class at the Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge and so many more! These accolades put Kool-Luah in the company of some of the best craft liqueurs out there, proving it’s more than just a hometown favorite.
The girls love this story – it’s a combination of family history, community, creativity, collaboration, and passion. Monica’s dad’s recipe could have stayed a hidden gem, but instead, it’s being shared with coffee and cocktail lovers alike – around the country!
Have you been to Lebowski’s Taproom in Colorado Springs? Have you tried the Kool-Luah? What’s your favorite way to enjoy it? Let the girls know what you think in the comments below! And if you’ve been to the taproom and tried one of the 50 White Russian varieties, which was your favorite?
Be sure to follow Lebowski’s Kool-Luah on Instagram and follow the Taproom too! The Boozy Blondes agree Lebowski’s Kool-Luah is one of the best on the market, but “that’s just, like, their opinion, man!” You need to try it for yourself 😉
Boozy Blondes 