ecoBiz Star Partner:
Conrad Distillery Awarded Queensland Business Chamber ecoBiz star partnership
When people think of coffee liqueur, their minds usually jump to martinis and desserts. But at Conrad Distillery, we like to explore flavour without boundaries. Enter XO Café Glazed Spare Ribs — a bold, deeply satisfying pairing that proves coffee belongs just as much on the plate as it does in the glass.
XO Café is crafted using slow cold-brewed coffee, delivering smooth intensity without bitterness. Those natural notes of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and caramel make it a perfect match for rich meats, sticky glazes, and low-and-slow cooking.
This is comfort food, elevated.
1 rack pork spare ribs
½ cup XO Café coffee liqueur
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cracked black pepper
Pinch of sea salt
Prepare the ribs
Preheat oven or smoker to 150°C. Season ribs lightly with salt and pepper.
Make the glaze
In a saucepan, combine XO Café, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, mustard, garlic, paprika, and pepper.
Simmer gently for 10–15 minutes until thick and glossy.
Brush Glaze over the Ribs then Slow cook
Place ribs on a lined tray, cover foil, and cook for 2½ hours until tender.
Glaze and finish
Remove foil, brush the remaining glaze, and return to oven uncovered for 10 minutes.
Repeat once more ensuring a sticky and caramelised rib.
Rest and serve
Rest ribs for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra glaze on the side.
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Keep the pairing simple and let the flavours speak.
Serve suggestion:
XO Café over a large cube of ice
Optional orange peel or coffee bean garnish
The chilled liqueur cuts through the richness of the ribs and refreshes the palate between bites.
Try these variations:
Add chilli flakes or chipotle to the glaze for heat
Finish ribs on the BBQ for extra smokiness
Use the glaze on grilled mushrooms or eggplant for a vegetarian twist
XO Café isn’t just for the cocktail shaker — it’s a culinary ingredient designed for creativity. Whether poured, shaken, or glazed, it brings sophistication and surprise to every serve. This is the kind of pairing that turns a weekend meal into a talking point — and a reason to pour another glass.
Good taste doesn’t follow rules. It follows flavour.
Conrad Distillery Awarded Queensland Business Chamber ecoBiz star partnership
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