FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

how is estate 98 made?

Estate 98 is crafted in small batches to honor the rich connection between coffee and spirit. Inspired by our ancestors’ Esencia de café recipe, we start with 100% single-estate coffee grown at the foothills of the Santa Ana Volcano in El Salvador. The beans are carefully roasted and extracted using a proprietary process that preserves the coffee’s best natural compounds — caffeine, antioxidants, and aromatic oils — resulting in a smooth, vibrant flavor that stays true to its roots.

Our coffee extract is then blended with a neutral pure cane spirit and just a touch of sugar to round out the flavor. The result is a bold, modern coffee liqueur that tastes clean, balanced, and authentic—without the syrupy heaviness found in most mass-produced brands.

what is the abv (alcohol content)?

Estate 98 has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 25%. This strikes the perfect balance to allow the coffee to shine: strong enough to shine in cocktails, yet smooth enough to enjoy neat or over ice.

how much sugar is in it?

Estate 98 was designed to be lighter and less sweet than traditional coffee liqueurs. Each ounce contains less than 1 gram of sugar, making it one of the lowest-sugar options in the category. The natural sweetness comes primarily from the coffee itself, rather than heavy syrups or additives.

how much caffeine does it contain?

Each ounce of Estate 98 has about the same natural caffeine as a shot of espresso. A typical 2 oz pour gives a smooth boost, similar to an average cup of coffee, without feeling overpowering. It’s the perfect balance of energy and enjoyment in every sip.

tasting notes

Estate 98 was designed to be lighter and less sweet than traditional coffee liqueurs. Each ounce contains less than 1 gram of sugar, making it one of the lowest-sugar options in the category. The natural sweetness comes primarily from the coffee itself, rather than heavy syrups or additives.

How many espresso martinis or coffee cocktails can I make with one bottle?

Using our Two Step Espresso Martini recipe, each bottle of Estate 98 makes about 15 to 16 cocktails. The recipe calls for 1.5 oz per serve, so you’ll have plenty to share depending on your pour size. 

what makes estate 98 different?

Unlike traditional coffee liqueurs, Estate 98 was designed with both flavor and function in mind. It’s crafted with single-estate Salvadoran coffee, low in sugar, and naturally higher in caffeine—making it bold, balanced, and true to the essence of coffee.

One of the biggest advantages? You don’t need to pull a fresh espresso shot or add coffee in addition to the coffee liqueur to make a coffee cocktail. Estate 98 is concentrated enough to deliver authentic coffee flavor, body, and crema-like foam when shaken, without the bitterness or inconsistency that comes from brewing on the spot. This means you can make a bar-quality espresso martini—or any coffee-based cocktail—quickly, easily, and with perfect results every time.

what exactly is a coffee liqueur?

A coffee liqueur is a type of spirit made by combining coffee, alcohol, and sugar. It is traditionally used in cocktails but can also be enjoyed on its own. Estate 98 redefines the category by focusing on purity and authenticity—using high quality single-estate coffee, minimal sugar, and no artificial flavors.

what is the best way to enjoy estate 98?

Estate 98 is versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. For a pure experience, sip it neat or over ice to appreciate the natural coffee flavors. For something livelier, it’s excellent as a chilled shot or mixed into cocktails like an espresso martini, a White Russian, carajillo or even a refreshing tonic.

how much should i use for cocktails?

Most cocktail recipes call for 1–2 ounces of Estate 98, depending on the drink and your personal taste. For example, an espresso martini typically uses 1.5 ounces, while a simple coffee highball might only need 1 ounce to shine.

do i need to refrigerate it after opening?

Estate 98 is shelf-stable. No refrigeration is required but we recommend serving chilled.  Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Just make sure the cap is tightly sealed to preserve its freshness and flavor. 

how do i get foam in my coffee cocktails?

The foam in coffee cocktails, like the espresso martini, comes from aeration. Combine Estate 98 with your other ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds. The shaking emulsifies the oils in the coffee and creates a rich, velvety foam that settles beautifully on top of the drink.

what makes estate 98 different from other coffee liqueurs?

Most coffee liqueurs on the market are blended with multiple coffee origins and rely on artificial flavors and high sugar content to mask inconsistencies. Estate 98 takes a different approach. We source beans exclusively from single-estate in El Salvador, ensuring complete traceability and quality. The coffee is roasted and extracted with precision, then blended with pure cane spirit. The result is a liqueur that is coffee-forward, balanced, and authentic, with no unnecessary additives.

is estate 98 gluten-free and vegan?

 Yes. Estate 98 contains no gluten, no dairy, and no animal byproducts. It’s crafted only with coffee, pure cane spirit, vanilla flavoring and a touch of natural sugar, making it both gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

does it contain artificial flavors or colors?

No. Estate 98 is made with real coffee and natural ingredients. We don’t use caramel coloring or synthetic additives. What you taste is pure Salvadoran coffee, balanced with just enough spirit and sugar to highlight its character.

what inspired estate 98?

Estate 98 was created out of a desire to honor Salvadoran coffee culture while reimagining what a coffee liqueur could be. Traditional options in the market were heavy and overly sweet. We wanted to craft something lighter, truer to the essence of coffee, and versatile enough to enjoy neat, as a shot, or in cocktails.

why the name “estate 98”?

The name honors our family heritage and our roots in El Salvador. Our family has been cultivating coffee since 1798, and the liqueur takes its name from our estate, El Noventa y Ocho (The 98), reflecting the single-estate philosophy that defines our spirit. Estate 98 is more than a drink—it’s a continuation of centuries of tradition and a celebration of a true coffee estate.

why el salvador?

El Salvador is renowned for producing some of the world’s most prized coffees, thanks to its rich volcanic soils and high-altitude growing regions. The Santa Ana Volcano, also known as Ilamatepec, creates a unique terroir that imparts exceptional complexity, depth, and brightness to the beans. Remarkably, El Salvador is the only country in the world whose national identity was shaped by coffee and was once one of the largest coffee producers globally. With Estate 98, we honor this heritage, sharing the story and distinctive flavors of Salvadoran coffee with the world.coffee to the world.

is estate 98 available outside FLORIDA?

Yes. Estate 98 is launching first in Florida but is also available for purchase online in select states where shipping spirits is permitted. As we grow, we plan to expand to more retailers and markets across the U.S.

can i cook or bake with it?

Definitely. Estate 98 adds a deep, natural coffee flavor to desserts like tiramisu, brownies, or even ice cream. It can also be used in savory sauces where a hint of coffee and sweetness is desired.

is it a limited-edition spirit?

Estate 98 is made in limited batches to guarantee quality and consistency, but it is not a one-time release. We produce year-round, with each batch carefully crafted to reflect the same standards of excellence.