Plum Pause - A plum-brandy coffee drink inspired by Oromo Cafe

Inspired by Chicago’s Oromo Cafe and their house-made horchata with perfectly balanced Peruvian espresso, Plum Pause is a cozy, indulgent coffee cocktail designed for savoring. Toasted hazelnut and rice milk, creamy coconut, maple sweetness, and a touch of warming cinnamon form a plush, layered base for espresso, while Blacklisted Aged Plum Brandy adds depth and rich stone-fruit warmth. Topped with a light dusting of cinnamon, this cocktail offers a moment of calm — luxurious, comforting, and elegantly crafted.

Plum Pause

Ingredients
1.5 oz Blacklisted Aged Plum Brandy
1 oz fresh espresso (cooled)
¾ oz toasted horchata milk
¼–½ oz maple syrup (to taste)
2 dashes Angostura or orange bitters

Method
Shake with ice. Strain over a large rock in a rocks glass.

Garnish
Light dusting of cinnamon
Optional orange zest or tiny pinch of flaky salt

***Toasted Horchata Milk***
(Inspired by Oromo Cafe)

Ingredients
½ cup white rice
1½ cups almond milk
¾ cup light coconut milk
¼ cup toasted hazelnuts
1 small cinnamon stick (or ½ tsp ground cinnamon)
1–2 Tbsp maple syrup (to taste)
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Method
Toast rice and hazelnuts separately in a dry pan until lightly golden; cool. Combine rice, hazelnuts, almond milk, coconut milk, and cinnamon. Refrigerate overnight. Strain thoroughly. Blend the strained milk with maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Chill.

Plum Pause Horchata Coffee Cocktail