This fine specimen? That’s my Father, Mario.
That killer physique? That’s from hard work…
“farm - ripped” as we like to say.
Mario worked hard - loved hard - and lived a life
overflowing with family and friends.
And each Christmas, using a secret Sicilian family recipe
and a lot of love, he would make up a small batch
of his famous Hard Espresso as a special gift.
If you were lucky enough to get one,
you cherished that bottle as long as you could knowing
it would be a whole year until you got a shot at another.
Everyone loved it and looked forward to it.
every bottle we make contains Mario’s secret recipe…
handcrafted with the same love and care he put into every one of his.
And just like my Dad’s original, it’s delicious…
crazy delicious if I do say so myself.
So from Mario’s family to yours, we invite you to
live hard - love hard – and cherish every moment with family and friends.
And having a bottle of Mario’s Hard Espresso on hand…
helps make it all a little sweeter.
Pensa Salute’!
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The Story
The fine specimen in the photo? That's my father, Mario. His killer physique? That's from hard work... “farm-ripped" as we like to say.
Mario worked hard - loved hard - and lived a life overflowing with family and friends. And each Christmas, using a secret Sicilian family recipe and a lot of love, he would make up a small batch of his famous hard espresso as a special gift. If you were lucky enough to get one, you cherished that bottle as long as you could knowing it would be a whole year until you got a shot at another.
Every bottle we make contains Mario's secret recipe... handcrafted with the same love and care he put into every one of his. And just like my dad's original, it's delicious... crazy delicious if I do say so myself.
So from Mario's family to yours, we invite you to Live Hard - Love Hard and Cherish every moment with family and friends. And having a bottle of MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO on hand helps make it all a little sweeter. - Pensa Salute'!
MARIO'S cocktails
Mario's Hard Espresso features a "true espresso" recipe that makes it Crazy Delicious.
We handcraft every bottle of Mario’s Hard Espresso starting with Triple-Distilled, 196-proof Grain Neutral Spirit. It’s pure, clean and super smooth and imparts no unwanted alcohol flavors, like what happens in other coffee liqueurs made with a low-proof vodka, tequila or rum. This pure spirit base allows the rich, delicious flavors of the 100% Arabica Dark Roast Espresso, Organic Madagascar Vanilla and a touch of Cane Sugar to balance beautifully, and really come through for a rich and complex flavor profile. It’s also what makes Mario’s so incredibly versatile as a delicious addition to cocktails made with whiskey, bourbon, rum, mezcal, vodka and tequila. Cheers!
The Godfather
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
2 OZ BLENDED SCOTCH OR BOURBON
.25 OZ AMARETTO
Stir in ice until chilled, strain over rocks.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
Orange coco martini
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ GIN
.5 OZ CONTREAU
2 DASHES ORANGE BITTERS
2 DASHES MEICAN CHOCOLATE BITTERS
3 CLOVES
Shake hard over ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with shaved dark chocolate and orange zest.
Oaxacan Wake-up
1.5 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ PREMIUM MEZCAL
.5 OZ LIME JUICE
2 DASHES HABANERO BITTERS OR FIRE TINCTURE
Shake hard over ice. Strain over ice into a Tajin or chili rimmed glass. Add a mint sprig for garnish.
The Espresso-Infused Black Manhattan
1.5 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ RYE WHISKEY
1 DASH ORANGE BITTERS
1 DASH ANGOSTURA BITTERS
1/2 Teaspoon of juice from Luxardo Cherry jar
Stir over ice to chill. Strain into a coupe.
Garnish with Luxardo cherry.
Whiskey hard-tini
AKA "THE TURF WAR"
1.5 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ SUNTORY TOKI OR OTHER LIGHT WHISKEY
.25 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP (TO CREATE THE HEAD)
Shake hard over ice. Double strain to separate any ice chips into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a mint leaf.
Classic Espresso Martini
1.5 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ PREMIUM VODKA
.25 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP or EGG WHITE (OPTIONAL FOR NICELY FOAMED HEAD)
Shake vigorously over ice. Strain into martini glass.
Garnish with 3 Espresso Beans.
THE SMOKED-CHATA
2 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1 OZ LICOR 43 HORCHATA
3/4 OZ MEZCAL
1/2 OZ ALMA TEPEC CHILE PASILLA MIXE
2 DASHES CHILI CHOCOLATE BITTERS
Shake ingredients with ice. Strain over crushed ice. Add dash of ground cinnamon. Garnish with cinnamon stick.
Bossa Nova Espresso Martini
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ PREMIUM VODKA
.5 OZ LICOR 43 HORCHATA LIQUEUR
1 SHOT ESPRESSO OR BLACK COFFEE
Shake well. Serve in a cold Martini Glass.
The Tom Tom – Espresso Martini
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ TOM'S GOOD LOVIN WHISKEY
.5 OZ AMARO NONINO
3 DASHES BLACK WALNUT BITTERS
Shake over Ice. Strain into Martini Glass. Shave white chocolate over top. Garnish with Lemon or Orange Zest.
The Mario’s Heavy Lift
1.5 OZ Mario’s Hard Espresso
1.5 OZ Basil Hayden Kentucky Bourbon
1 OZ Guinness Extra Stout
1 Egg White
Mix Mario’s, Basil Hayden and egg white into shaker with ice and shake vigorously to foam and chill. Strain into glass allowing the egg to foam. Add Guinness quickly to glass to add foam and richness. Garnish as desired.
Mario’s Bacon-Brunch Beauty
2 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO OVER ICE
1 STRIP BACON
Yep, it's that simple. but so, so delicious.
Mario’s Adult-Affogato
2 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO OVER GELATO, OR PREMIUM ICE CREAM
Speaking of simple!
Espresso Rum-Tiki Old Fashioned
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1 OZ BUMBO RUM
1 OZ AVERNA BITTERS
3 DASHES CHOCOLATE BITTERS
2 LUXARDO CHERRIES
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice and stir until chilled. Pour in tumbler over large ice cube. Garnish with cherries.
Espresso Boulevardier
3/4 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
3/4 OZ PREMIUM RYE WHISKEY
3/4 OZ CAMPARI
1/2 OZ SWEET VERMOUTH
TWIST OF ORANGE PEEL FOR GARNISH
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice and stir until chilled. Pour into coupe and garnish with twist of orange peel.
Espresso Negroni ala Bossa Nova
3/4 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
3/4 OZ PRESMIUM GIN
3/4 OZ CAMPARI
1/2 OZ SWEET VERMOUTH
1/4 OZ ALMA TEPEC CHILE PASILLA MIXE
3 DASHES ORANGE BITTERS
ORANGE PEEL FOR GARNISH
Stir in a shaker with ice until chilled. Pour in tumbler over large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.
Mario’s Bahama Mama
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1 OZ Premium Light Rum
1 OZ Coconut Rum
1/2 OZ Spiced Rum
1 OZ Orange Juice
1/2 OZ Lemon Juice
Stir in a shaker with ice until chilled. Pour over ice in favorite Tiki Glass and garnish with orange slice.
Espresso HighBall
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1 OZ PREMIUM WHISKEY OR BOURBON
4 OZ PREMIUM CLUB SODA
Add the Mario’s and Whiskey to Highball glass with ice. Top with Club Soda. Stir gently to mix.
THE REVOLVER
3/4 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
2 OZ BOURBON WHISKEY
2 DASHES ORANGE BITTERS
Pour over a large ice cube and stir to chill. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.
Espresso Negroni - Tradizionale
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1 OZ PREMIUM GIN
3/4 OZ CAMPARI
1/2 OZ SWEET VARMOUTH
3 DASHES ORANGE BITTERS
ORANGE PEEL FOR GARNISH
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice and stir until chilled. Pour in tumbler over large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.
the tiki tom-tom
1 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1 OZ BUMBU SPICED RUM
1 OZ AVERNA AMARO
3 LUXARDO CHERRIS SOAKED IN MARIOS
Mix ingredients in shaker w/ice. Stir until chilled. pour over crushed ice. Garnish with cherries and sprig of fresh mint.
king alfonse
2.5 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1/2 OZ HEAVY CREAM
OPTIONAL: DARK CHOCOLATE
Garnish with shaved dark chocolate.
madre' y padre'
1.5 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ MADRE' MEZCAL
3 DASHES CHOCOLATE MOLE' BITTERS
LUXARDO CHERRIES
Shake w/ice until chilled and pour over large ice cube. Garnish with cherries and orange peel.
espresso "martinez"
1.5 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ TEQUILA REPOSADO
1/2 OZ BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM or HORCHATA
Shake all ingredients over ice. Double strain into martini glass. Garnish with 3 espresso beans.
mambo siciliano
OUR TAKE ON A CLASSIC DOMINICANA
1.5 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
1.5 OZ DARK RUM
A SOFT FLOAT OF HEAVY CREAM
Shake w/ice until chilled. Pour into coupe. Add float of cream. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
summer love
AKA "THE M&T"
3.0 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
3.0 OZ FEVER TREE INDIAN TONIC
3/4 OZ. TRIPLE SEC
Stir all ingredients in tall glass over ice. Garnish with fresh orange slice.
AKA "HARD ESPRESSO SUNRISE"
3.0 OZ MARIO'S HARD ESPRESSO
3.0 OZ 100% ORANGE JUICE-PULP FREE
SOFT FLOAT OF HEAVY CREAM
Pour OJ over ice. Slowly add Mario's Hard Espresso. Slowly add float of heavy cream.
the BOOZY-JULIUS
press
Uproxx
"Our Staff Names Their Favorite Spirits to Bring to a Holiday Party.”
"The expression is a literal distillation of a son’s love for his immigrant dad"
"Mario’s Hard Espresso’s flavors are clarified in a way that far exceeds other entries in the genre"
"My bottle was gone in a week — I can’t remember the last time that happened."
Tom Sandoval - Signature Espresso Martini
"I always get an espresso martini to start off the night, it's just a nice energy boost to get the night started."
"Sandoval... uses Mario’s Hard Espresso, a blend of roasted Italian espresso, organic Madagascar vanilla and cane sugar."
THE TASTING PANEL May/June 2023
95 Points.
With a neutral grain spirit base, dark roast espresso, Madagascar vanilla, and cane sugar, this satin-textured liqueur is produced in small quantities, but we predict a surge of growth. On its own, it flows with dark chocolate flavors and a balanced coffee taste with absolutely no bitter edge. Founder Joe Grasso’s father’s recipe lives on.
“In an era where espresso martinis are as popular as ever, Mario’s Hard Espresso is making its own long list of friends and loved ones.”
“Espresso Martinis… are one of the 10 most ordered cocktails… and smaller batch brands like Mario’s Hard Espresso… are making the beloved cocktail even more potable.”
Conversation with Joseph Grasso - Founder of Mario's Hard Espresso
"We launched in Nov. 2021 and the response has been fantastic. Generally when people try it, they love it."
"We’ve been seeing bartenders all over LA using Mario's in new ways to create all kinds of amazing craft-cocktails."
"...we were determined that if we were going to do this, we had to do it right. We had to honor my Dad and make a product that he would be proud of."
