How a Lost Family Recipe Became a Fast-Growing Coffee Liqueur

From a handwritten card in an avocado-green Tupperware box to a top-selling, gluten-free coffee liqueur poured across Colorado and beyond—this founder story is packed with grit, family legacy, and smart growth. David and Monica Kowalski share how Lebowski's Taproom (a Lebowski-themed spot in Colorado Springs) turned a house-made coffee liqueur into a rapidly expanding brand—pre-selling 1,500 bottles, landing marquee accounts, and building community through unforgettable cocktail experiences.

Talking points:

• Rediscovering a long-lost, handwritten family recipe and perfecting it in-house
• Turning a taproom “house pour” into a commercial product with Black Hat Distillery
• Pre-selling 1,500 bottles before launch and scaling into restaurants and liquor stores
• Why the liqueur is different: gluten-free, no additives or caramel coloring, vodka-based, Colombian coffee, coffee-forward flavor
• Creative cocktail applications (espresso martinis, white Russians, tequila riffs) and menu education for restaurants
• Licensing and expansion strategy (CO, FL, TX, CA, NY) and the realities of state-by-state permits
• Marketing what actually works for hospitality now: events, experience, and daily content
• Building a team culture with low turnover and “connection-first” service
• Five-year vision: second location, franchise conversations, national and international distribution
• Entrepreneur lessons: paperwork, patience, controlled chaos, and relentless outreach   

 

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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