Back to brighten your June, Klatch Coffee’s signature Sláinte has returned for another year. As the Coffee Curious offering for the month, the Sláinte is made with our signature Klatch Aged Whiskey Reserve coffee, a Brazilian single origin coffee rested in whiskey-soaked oak barrels for at least sixty days. This smoky, woodsy coffee pairs perfectly with a vanilla cold foam on top, creating a uniquely textured, rich coffee that’s just right for these warm summer days.
What is "Sláinte"?
"Sláinte" is a casual term in Ireland and Scotland often used in place of the word "cheers." It directly translates to "health" in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, but its common use is when sharing a drink with friends or family. Pronounced slawn-che, the word is most frequently used when drinking, or in the phrase "sláinte mhaith" (pronounced slawn-che vah), which wishes someone good health.
Why did you choose the name Sláinte?
The easy answer is that we simply wanted to pay homage to the whiskey reserve coffee, and we thought there was no better way to do so than with the Irish word for “cheers.” Ireland is world-renowned for their whiskey, and is actually considered the birthplace of whiskey, with the oldest records of the spirit going back to the year 1405. As whiskey’s origin and where whiskey is known to taste best, we thought it was fitting to call back to their traditions and drinking practices to name our drink.
Additionally, with the word directly translating to health, we thought it was a clever and meaningful way to wish those who try the drink good health as well! Having that dictionary definition mean something special felt like a small, secret way we could share our positive thoughts for those who have supported us on our journey. Not only are we wishing for people to enjoy the drink and cheers with us, we’re also wishing everyone to stay in good health and good spirits.
What goes into this drink?
The primary ingredient in the Sláinte is the Klatch Aged Whiskey Reserve. We brought together two timeless indulgences—premium Brazilian coffee and whiskey-soaked oak barrels—to craft something truly unforgettable. The beans rest in our seasoned wooden barrels for at least sixty days, absorbing the character and complexity of the whiskey within. The result is a luxurious cup bursting with notes of smoked wood, sweet honey, and warm spice, with a silky smooth finish and a caramelized, oaky depth that lingers on the palate even after you’ve finished the cup.
Although we are using whiskey-soaked oak barrels, which are typically high in alcohol content at about 60-70% ABV during aging, we are soaking our green coffee beans in the barrels. This means that the alcohol is infused before the coffee is roasted. Just like cooking with wine, the heat from the roast burns away the alcohol within the coffee! Alcohol begins to evaporate at 173°F, or 87°C, and this coffee is roasted at a temperature that reaches a low of 403°F, or 206°C.
Who would enjoy the Sláinte?
For those who like to try unique coffees or for those who enjoy a good layered, textured drink, this one’s for you! The Sláinte is essentially an iced coffee or cold brew with a cold foam, but what makes it special is the Klatch Aged Whiskey Reserve coffee that goes into it. If you’re someone who enjoys whiskey or someone who enjoys woodsy, warm-toned beverages in general, this coffee will certainly suit your taste buds.
How can I make the Sláinte at home?
While not our exact store recipe, you can still try to create the Sláinte yourself at home! It’s easy to do so with just a few ingredients. For the coffee, you can either brew our Klatch Aged Whiskey Reserve as an iced pour over, or you can steep as a cold brew. From there, all you’ll need is heavy whipping cream (or an alternative milk option of your preference) and vanilla syrup (you can make this yourself or choose a store brand option - if using something off the shelves, we recommend 1883 Maison Routin!).
Klatch Aged Whiskey Reserve Iced Pour Over
- Place filter in brewer, wet with water, then discard water.
- Add 100g ice to carafe.
- Put 20g ground coffee (like table salt) in the brewer.
- Pour 30-35g hot water over coffee, bloom 30-35 sec.
- At 35 sec, spiral pour 20 sec to 200g.
- Add 150g of ice to brewed coffee once previous pour has drained from the ground coffee.
- Serve, then enjoy!
Klatch Aged Whiskey Reserve Cold Brew
- We recommend a 1:5 ratio, with one part coffee and five parts water.
- Grind your coffee as coarsely as possible.
- For a single serving of cold brew, we recommend 50g of ground coffee and 250g of water.
- Steep your 50g of ground coffee in 250g of cold water for 12-24 hours. The longer you steep, the stronger the coffee will be.
- After your time is up, use a toddy filter to filter out your grinds. If you don’t have a toddy filter, you can use a cheese cloth or your pour over vessel! Chemex filters and other pour over filters work great to get rid of your cold brew grinds as well, especially since it is coarsely ground.
- Serve, then enjoy!
At-Home Sláinte Recipe
- Fill your 16oz iced cup with ice.
- Add 10oz of your iced pour over or your cold brew.
- Add 1oz of vanilla syrup to the cup and stir.
- In a separate container, add 0.5oz of vanilla syrup and 2oz of heavy whipping cream or your dairy alternative.
- Use a handheld frother to froth this mixture up into a nice, thick vanilla cold foam.
- Once your cold foam has stiffened to a texture of your liking, pour it into your cup, creating a nice layer on top of your coffee.
- Drink from the cup rather than with a straw, and enjoy!
Where can I try the Sláinte?
For the month of June only, the Sláinte will be available at any of our store locations. You can also order ahead through our mobile app.