Connecticut-based Prima Barista offers two hard iced coffee flavors, Vanilla Hard Iced Latte and Mocha Hard Iced Frappé, with more recipes in development.

Craft Beer Guild Distributing of Connecticut, Blueprint Spirits division, welcomed Connecticut brand Prima Barista to its portfolio. A new offering in the hard iced coffee category, the ultra-premium ready-to-drink “café quality” beverage showcases a premium vodka in its coffee blends, at 12.5% ABV and sold in four-packs. Each 200-ml bottle contains the caffeine equivalent of a one-ounce shot of espresso. Prima Barista was founded in 2019 by Dave and Amy Cornell in their Mystic, Connecticut, kitchen, as the couple felt there was a need for “like-minded iced coffee fanatics.” Available in Vanilla Hard Iced Latte and Mocha Hard Iced Frappé, Prima Barista’s blends are meant to be enjoyed iced cold out of the bottle or are equally delicious chilled and served over ice. “Malt and wine-based products don’t have the rich flavors that we crave. They lack the creamy coffee profile we love and often have an unpleasant and artificial aftertaste. The only way to make authentic hard iced coffees is to start by using actual café recipes. That’s what we do. Vodka’s versatility lends itself perfectly to our recipes,” the founders said.