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-houseTurning a taproom “house pour” into a commercial product with Black Hat DistilleryPre-selling 1,500 bottles before launch and scaling into restaurants and liquor storesWhy the liqueur is different: gluten-free, no additives or caramel coloring, vodka-based, Colombian coffee, coffee-forward flavorCreative cocktail applications (espresso martinis, white Russians, tequila riffs) and menu education for restaurantsLicensing and expansion strategy (CO, FL, TX, CA, NY) and the realities of state-by-state permitsMarketing what actually works for hospitality now: events, experience, and daily contentBuilding a team culture with low turnover and “connection-first” serviceFive-year vision: second location, franchise conversations, national and international distributionEntrepreneur 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. =========================== ⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/ ⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application ⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ support@elevate-media-group.com Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.