Realizzato makes breakthrough in industrial fermentation
British contract distilling firm Murray & Yeatman has launched Realizzato coffee liqueur, which it claims to be the most environmentally friendly and eco-conscious alcoholic drink ever produced.
After more than a decade of research, East Sussex-based Murray & Yeatman says it has developed a method of distilling alcohol from used coffee grounds, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the beverage industry.
The firm says it marks the first time in more than 400 years that alcohol has been fermented from a completely new ingredient using an industrial process.
Murray & Yeatman was inspired by a peer-reviewed scientific paper published in 2014, which set it on a path of investigation into the science of coffee-based alcohol.
This led to the distiller revisiting centuries-old techniques, including an experiment from a 1651 publication, alongside conducting its own research. These efforts culminated in the creation of a proprietary, scalable industrial process capable of producing alcohol from used coffee grounds, which includes a specialised enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, and triple distillation process to create a rich, velvety spirit with deep coffee undertones, balanced sweetness, and a refined finish.
Coffee grounds are one of the world’s most significant waste products. For every tonne of coffee grounds sent to landfill, one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) is produced. To put this in perspective, a single popular coffee chain in the UK discards more than 240 tonnes of coffee grounds daily, releasing approximately 10 tonnes of CO2e into the atmosphere every hour.
Currently, there are very few sustainable uses for this waste, but by upcycling coffee grounds to make a liqueur, Murray & Yeatman offers a green solution to what is considered a global sustainability issue.
The firm has planned a phased global rollout of Realizzato, beginning with the UK market before expanding into selected international regions.
The company aims to establish a global presence for the product while demonstrating the potential for sustainability in the beverage sector.
“The beverage industry has been far too conservative in recent years when it comes to innovation, and its environmental impact has been causing considerable harm to our planet,” said Rob Murray, CEO of Murray & Yeatman.
“With Realizzato, we’ve developed a solution that tackles both problems. The creation of the first fermentation process in more than 400 years took significant resources, but as innovative distillers, we’ve created a premium product that not only delivers on quality but also provides a meaningful environmental solution. We are excited about the future of this process and look forward to launching more products distilled from upcycled coffee grounds.”
The liqueur offers subtle caramel and dark chocolate notes, and is described as ideal for Espresso Martinis and Irish Coffees, or simply savoured neat.
It is bottled at 20% ABV, and retails for £21.99 (US$28).
Each bottle is made from 100% recycled glass, topped with a recycled label, and delivered in fully recyclable packaging.
We recently spoke with the CEO of Branca USA about Caffé Borghetti and how it aims to be the ‘standout’ coffee liqueur for making an Espresso Martini.
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