England's Best Coffee Liqueur

Award-Winning Yorkshire Coffee Liqueur for Espresso Martinis, Baby Guinness & Coffee Cocktails

At the 2026 World Liqueur Awards, NORSE CODE Hel Below was named Country Winner for England, establishing it as one of the most exciting and highly recognised coffee liqueurs in the UK.

Made in Yorkshire by Coffee Spirit Co, Hel Below is a cold-filter brewed coffee liqueur created for modern cocktails, Baby Guinness serves and coffee lovers seeking a more authentic alternative to mainstream coffee liqueurs.

Unlike many mass-produced coffee liqueurs, NORSE CODE is built around real speciality coffee. Developed over more than two years through hundreds of small-batch refinements, every batch is produced using carefully selected coffee, premium spirit and a brewing-led approach that puts flavour before marketing.

Today, NORSE CODE is trusted by bars, hospitality venues and cocktail enthusiasts looking for an award-winning coffee liqueur for Espresso Martinis, Baby Guinness and after-dinner drinks.

View all NORSE CODE Awards & Recognition

Our Awards & Recognition

World Liqueur Awards 2026: Country Winner – England Coffee Liqueur.
Global Liqueur Masters: Gold Medal Winner.
International Spirits Challenge: Bronze Medal recognition for NORSE CODE Hel Above.
Great Taste Award-Winning Coffee: Our coffee partners have supplied coffees recognised with Great Taste 3-Star and 2-Star awards.

For a full overview of our awards, judging recognition and coffee credentials, visit our Awards & Recognition page.

Created by Award-Winning Coffee Professionals

NORSE CODE was created by coffee professionals, not simply spirits marketers. The recipe was developed with deep coffee knowledge, competition experience and a focus on how coffee behaves in cocktails.

Co-founder Gordon Howell brings serious coffee expertise to the range, with a background in coffee competition, judging, training and brewing development. That experience helped shape a coffee liqueur designed around genuine coffee flavour rather than artificial sweetness.

Learn more about Coffee Spirit Co and Gordon Howell

Why NORSE CODE Is Different

Cold-filter brewed coffee liqueur.
Made in Yorkshire by Coffee Spirit Co.
Created by coffee professionals.
Country Winner for England at the 2026 World Liqueur Awards.
Gold Medal winner at the Global Liqueur Masters.
Available in both 70cl bottles and 4.9 litre trade tubs.
Designed for Espresso Martinis, Baby Guinness serves and coffee cocktails.

Hel Below: England's Best Coffee Liqueur for Baby Guinness

NORSE CODE Hel Below is our richer 16% ABV coffee liqueur, created for Baby Guinness shots, layered cocktails and smooth after-dinner serves. Its depth, body and rounded sweetness make it ideal when you want coffee flavour with a softer finish.

Hel Below is the expression that was named Country Winner for England at the 2026 World Liqueur Awards, making it a standout choice for anyone looking for an award-winning British coffee liqueur.

Shop NORSE CODE Hel Below

Read why Hel Below is the best coffee liqueur for Baby Guinness

Hel Above: Coffee Liqueur for Espresso Martinis

NORSE CODE Hel Above is our stronger 22% ABV coffee liqueur, designed to bring structure, depth and real coffee character to Espresso Martinis and coffee-led cocktails.

Where Hel Below is richer and smoother, Hel Above is built for cocktail performance. It gives bartenders and home cocktail makers a more serious coffee liqueur for Espresso Martinis, White Russians, coffee Negronis and modern signature serves.

Shop NORSE CODE Hel Above

Read our Ultimate Espresso Martini Guide

A Yorkshire Coffee Liqueur With Real Coffee at Its Core

NORSE CODE is made in Yorkshire using a cold-filter brew process designed to preserve coffee character, texture and balance. We do not build the range around generic coffee flavouring or instant concentrate.

The result is a UK coffee liqueur with genuine roast depth, cocktail versatility and a stronger connection to speciality coffee than many mainstream alternatives.

For Bars, Restaurants and Trade Buyers

NORSE CODE is available in both 70cl bottles and 4.9 litre trade tubs. The trade tubs are designed for busy bars, restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues looking to reduce glass waste, improve speed of service and pour a better coffee liqueur.

Whether you are building Espresso Martinis, Baby Guinness shots or a premium coffee cocktail menu, NORSE CODE gives you an award-winning Yorkshire-made alternative to mainstream coffee liqueur brands.

Contact us for trade enquiries

Learn More

FAQs

Is NORSE CODE officially England's Best Coffee Liqueur?

Yes. NORSE CODE Hel Below was named Country Winner for England at the 2026 World Liqueur Awards in the coffee liqueur category.

Which NORSE CODE coffee liqueur is best for Espresso Martinis?

Hel Above is the stronger 22% ABV expression and is designed for Espresso Martinis, giving the drink more structure, depth and real coffee character.

Which NORSE CODE coffee liqueur is best for Baby Guinness?

Hel Below is the richer 16% ABV expression and is ideal for Baby Guinness shots, layered cocktails and smoother after-dinner serves.

Is NORSE CODE made in Yorkshire?

Yes. NORSE CODE is made in Yorkshire by Coffee Spirit Co.

Is NORSE CODE suitable for trade?

Yes. NORSE CODE is available in 70cl bottles and 4.9 litre trade tubs for bars, restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues.

Is NORSE CODE a good alternative to Kahlúa, Tia Maria or Mr Black?

Yes. NORSE CODE is a British, coffee-led alternative to mainstream coffee liqueurs, with Hel Above designed for Espresso Martinis and Hel Below designed for Baby Guinness and richer coffee cocktails.

THE COFFEE SPIRIT COMPANY

Born from the fusion of coffee and vodka, the Coffee Spirit Company was established in Yorkshire with a single mission: to craft coffee liqueur to impeccable standards.

Driven by a passion for premium, artisanal coffee and meticulously balanced spirits, Gordon and Yan bring decades of expertise at the very pinnacle of their crafts. Over more than 30 years, they’ve competed globally against the industry’s best, earning numerous prestigious accolades along the way.

This unrivalled mastery and shared dedication to quality has led to a natural and inevitable collaboration, delivering coffee liqueurs that are bold, refined, and distinctly Yorkshire.

COFFEE PEDIGREE

Our journey begins with Gordon Howell, legendary brewmaster and head of coffee at Norse Code. Gordon has represented the UK in global coffee competitions, including 2015 WBrC (7th place) and 2013 WCIGS (3rd place), and has served as a sensory judge for the UKBC (2013 & 2014) and UK CIGS (2014 & 2015).

For over a decade, he was an SCA-accredited trainer, teaching barista skills and brewing mastery. Today, he focuses on one-to-one mentoring, helping coffee professionals gain intermediate and professional accreditation. His expertise spans daily coffee shop operations, competition judging, and advanced brewing techniques.

Gordon also contributes to World Coffee Events, has been a Dalla Corte Pro, and co-founded Tone Brewing Equipment, innovating in coffee technology worldwide. Every Norse Code product benefits from his precision, experience, and unparalleled skill.

THE DRINKS INDUSTRY

Over the past decade, Yan has shaped the UK craft beer and hospitality sector. He has pioneered award-winning venues like The Euston Tap, introduced first pours from breweries such as Stone, Thornbridge, Odell, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, and Cantillon, and collaborated with emerging brands like BrewDog, Camden, Beavertown, and Magic Rock.

He has also worked on distribution for Sipsmith in the north, developed bespoke beverages distribution for iconic bands like Madness and Spandau Ballet, and introduced exclusive imports to the UK. Yan’s expertise ensures Norse Code is built on innovation, quality, and deep industry insight, supporting both trade and consumer excellence.

DANELAW, ROASTING & OUR BEANS

Thanks to Dave Jameson, founder of Dane Law Coffee Roasters in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, we only use speciality-grade beans with full traceability.

Hel Above and Below Coffee Liqueur features beans with Medium roast blend of washed and natural coffees from Latin America.

Dave’s credentials are remarkable:

Two-time UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
Q-Arabica Grader (licensed professional coffee taster)
Coach of the 2017 World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
Judge at the World Barista Championship and master of ceremonies for coffee events across Europe
World Coffee Events AllStar, with experience spanning five continents
Responsible for coffees that have won over 50 Great Taste Award stars

Every bottle of Norse Code coffee liqueur reflects this expert craftsmanship and dedication to flavour.

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WHY THE HEL?

In Norse mythology, Hel is the goddess of the underworld, balancing life and death. Her story intertwines with the history of modern-day York, founded on the Viking settlement of Jorvik. Archaeology, folklore, and city heritage still reflect her influence.

Adding another layer of resonance, our coffee is crafted on the former site of Erik Bloodaxe’s palace in York, blending ancient myth and local history with modern craftsmanship. Every sip of Hel’s Coffee Liqueur is a journey through legend, heritage, and exceptional flavour.