🥃 Licor café de Galicia
Galician coffee liqueur on grape-marc spirit: EU protected name, 20–40% ABV, at least 100 g/l of sugar, only naturally roasted coffee.
Licor café de Galicia is an EU protected name for a liqueur made in Galicia by steeping coffee in the local grape-marc spirit, Orujo de Galicia, or in a blend of it with spirit of agricultural origin. The grape-marc spirit provides at least 25% of all the alcohol. The strength is 20 to 40% ABV, and sugar is at least 100 g per litre.
Protected name. Regional protection was granted by Galicia on 8 September 2004, and the EU technical file was submitted in 2017; the name now operates under Regulation (EU) 2019/787, where liqueurs are category 33. A joint council that also oversees Orujo de Galicia and the herbal drinks of the region controls it; bottles carry a numbered back label. In 2019 over 146,000 litres were certified.
How it is made. Coffee roasted naturally is macerated in the spirit, after which the liqueur is separated by filtration or distillation. Torrefacto coffee, roasted with sugar, as well as coffee extracts and flavourings, are prohibited. Fruit, cocoa, spices or herbs may be added, but no more than 10% of the mass of the macerate. The colour ranges from amber to mahogany; the taste is coffee, caramel and cocoa.
History. Coffee liqueurs appeared in Galician recipes by the mid-19th century: in 1866 José María Blanca of Santiago published recipes with the liqueur, and in 1893 Eduardo Merín described six days of steeping spirit with ground coffee, water and sugar. In 1896 the liqueur was shown at an exhibition in Lugo; Camilo José Cela also mentions it.
Why it matters to you. The name “Licor café de Galicia” guarantees Galician grape-marc spirit and real coffee with no flavourings, but it is a sweet strong drink: up to 40% ABV and at least 100 g of sugar per litre, and the coffee adds caffeine. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | liqueur (cat. 33 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787); protected name |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | EU technical file 2017, Ares(2017)2770517; regional protection since 8 September 2004 |
| Raw material | naturally roasted coffee; Orujo de Galicia (at least 25% of the alcohol) and spirit of agricultural origin; sugar |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 20–40% ABV; sugar at least 100 g/l |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Licor café de Galicia → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- 🥃 Orujo de Galicia, ☕ Coffee
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Spaniards
- Part of
- 🥃 Coffee liqueur
- Related to
- 📍 Galicia
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia, 🥃 Licor de hierbas de Galicia, 🥃 Licor de hierbas de Galicia
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that a coffee flavouring can be added to Licor café de Galicia?
No. The technical file prohibits torrefacto coffee, coffee extracts and concentrates, and any flavourings: the taste comes only from macerating naturally roasted coffee.
What is the strength of Galician coffee liqueur?
From 20 to 40% ABV; sugar is at least 100 g per litre.
What spirit is Licor café de Galicia made on?
On Galician grape-marc spirit or a blend of it with spirit of agricultural origin; the grape-marc spirit provides at least 25% of all the alcohol.
What else can go into the macerate?
Fruit, cocoa, spices and herbs, up to 10% of the macerate's mass in total.
How can you recognise a genuine Licor café de Galicia?
By the name on the label and the numbered back label issued by the council that oversees Galician spirits and liqueurs.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Spaniards — The people of Spain; flamenco, human towers, Fallas, the world's largest vineyards and over a third of the world's olive oil.
- 🥃 Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia — Galician herb spirit based on Orujo de Galicia pomace brandy, flavoured with at least three herbs: EU protected name, 37.5–50 % vol., sugar under 100 g/l.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
- 🥃 Licor de hierbas de Galicia — Sweet Galician liqueur made with at least three herbs in grape-marc spirit: EU protected name, 20–40% ABV, sugar at least 100 g/l.
Similar
🥃 Licor de hierbas de Galicia · 🥃 Pacharán navarro · 🥃 Palo de Mallorca · 🥃 Chinchón · 🥃 Aguardiente de sidra de Asturias · 🥃 Aperitivo Café de Alcoy
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- MAPA (Spain): Expediente técnico de la IG Licor Café de Galicia, May 2017, Ref. Ares(2017)2770517 — liqueur (cat. 32, Reg. 110/2008); 20–40 % vol., sugar min. 100 g/l; Orujo de Galicia min. 25 % of absolute alcohol; maceration of natural-roast coffee, torrefacto and coffee extracts prohibited, no added flavourings; optional fruit, cocoa, spices and herbs up to 10 % of the macerate; colour amber to mahogany; recipes 1866 (J. M. Blanca) and 1893 (E. Merín, six days' maceration); Lugo exhibition 1896; C. J. Cela, Mazurca para dos muertos; regional protection 08.09.2004
- AGACAL (Xunta de Galicia): Ficha técnica IIXX das Augardentes e Licores Tradicionais de Galicia, 2019 — protection of Augardente de herbas, Licor de herbas and Licor café de Galicia by Order of 08.09.2004; common Consello Regulador (Order of 03.01.2012); Licor de herbas and Licor café: Orujo de Galicia min. 25 % of absolute alcohol, 20–40 % vol., sugar min. 100 g/l; herbs min. three species; numbered back label; 2019 certified volume — Licor café 146,228 l, Licor de herbas 138,730 l
- AGACAL (Xunta de Galicia): Ficha técnica IXP Augardentes 2025 — same parameters for Licor de herbas de Galicia and Licor café de Galicia (20–40 % vol., sugar min. 100 g/l, min. 25 % of absolute alcohol from the protected grape-marc spirit, now named Augardente de Galicia)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: cat. 33 liqueur (min. 15 %, sugar from 100 g/l in general); Chapter III — geographical indications
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)