What Is NORSE CODE?
NORSE CODE is an award-winning Yorkshire coffee liqueur brand created by Coffee Spirit Co.
Built around real brewed speciality coffee rather than coffee flavourings or concentrates, NORSE CODE combines coffee expertise, innovative brewing methods and modern cocktail performance to create a different style of coffee liqueur.
Produced in Yorkshire using our pioneering Cold-Filter Brew process, NORSE CODE was developed to showcase genuine coffee flavour, balanced sweetness and exceptional versatility in cocktails.
Today, NORSE CODE is used by bartenders, hospitality venues and coffee lovers looking for a British, coffee-led alternative to conventional coffee liqueurs.
The Story Behind NORSE CODE
NORSE CODE was founded by Coffee Spirit Co in York.
The brand was born from a simple idea: speciality coffee has evolved dramatically over the last two decades, so why should coffee liqueur still be dominated by sweetness and generic coffee flavour?
Co-founder Gordon Howell brought decades of speciality coffee experience to the project, including achievements as:
- UK Brewers Cup Champion
- UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
- World Coffee in Good Spirits third place
- Coffee competition judge
- Coffee educator and trainer
- Co-founder of Tone Brewing Equipment
Together with Coffee Spirit Co, that expertise helped create a coffee liqueur developed from a coffee-brewing perspective rather than simply treating coffee as a flavour added to a spirit.
Learn more about Coffee Spirit Co
A Coffee-First Approach
NORSE CODE starts with coffee.
Using our proprietary Cold-Filter Brew process, we focus on controlled extraction to preserve the flavour, sweetness and complexity of speciality coffee while reducing unwanted bitterness and harshness.
This allows us to create coffee liqueurs that deliver:
- Real brewed coffee flavour
- Balanced sweetness
- Greater flavour clarity
- Smooth texture
- Consistent cocktail performance
Discover the Cold-Filter Brew Method
The NORSE CODE Range
Hel Above
Hel Above is our 22% ABV coffee liqueur, built for brighter, more structured Espresso Martinis and coffee-forward cocktails.
Its cleaner, more structured profile allows genuine coffee character to remain at the centre of the drink, making it particularly suited to exceptional Espresso Martinis.
IWSC Gold 2026 — 95 points and the highest-scoring UK coffee liqueur in the competition.
Hel Below
Hel Below is our richer 16% ABV coffee liqueur, with greater body, texture and rounded sweetness.
Exceptional in richer Espresso Martinis and modern coffee cocktails, its greater density also makes it particularly suited to Baby Guinness and layered serves.
Country Winner for England — World Liqueur Awards 2026.
Awards & Recognition
Hel Above
- IWSC 2026 — Gold Medal, 95/100
- Great Taste 2026 — 1 Star
- International Spirits Challenge 2025 — Bronze Medal
Hel Below
- World Liqueur Awards 2026 — Country Winner for England
- Global Liqueur Masters 2025 — Gold Medal
Across the range, NORSE CODE has been recognised by leading international drinks and food competitions for both coffee quality and cocktail performance.
NORSE CODE vs Conventional Coffee Liqueurs
| NORSE CODE | Many Conventional Coffee Liqueurs |
|---|---|
| Real brewed speciality coffee | Coffee flavourings, extracts or concentrates may be used |
| Coffee-first development | Traditionally spirits-led development |
| Proprietary Cold-Filter Brew process | Conventional extraction methods |
| Designed around coffee clarity and cocktail performance | Often built around a sweeter traditional liqueur profile |
| Yorkshire small-batch production | Often produced at larger scale |
Explore More
- About Coffee Spirit Co
- England's Best Coffee Liqueur
- Yorkshire Coffee Liqueur
- Cold-Filter Brewed Coffee Liqueur
- Why Only Two People Know The Recipe
- Awards & Recognition
- Best Coffee Liqueur UK
- Ultimate Espresso Martini Guide
- Best Coffee Liqueur for Espresso Martinis
- Best Coffee Liqueur for Baby Guinness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NORSE CODE?
NORSE CODE is an award-winning Yorkshire coffee liqueur brand created by Coffee Spirit Co and built around real brewed speciality coffee.
Who makes NORSE CODE?
NORSE CODE is produced by Coffee Spirit Co in Yorkshire, England.
What makes NORSE CODE different?
NORSE CODE uses real brewed speciality coffee and a proprietary Cold-Filter Brew process developed with coffee professionals to deliver greater flavour clarity, balanced sweetness and consistent cocktail performance.
Which NORSE CODE is best for Espresso Martinis?
Hel Above is particularly suited to brighter, more structured Espresso Martinis. Hel Below also makes an excellent Espresso Martini, with a richer, rounder and more textured style.
Which NORSE CODE is best for Baby Guinness?
Hel Below. Its greater body, rounded sweetness and higher density make it particularly suited to Baby Guinness and layered serves, while its coffee-led character also works beautifully in richer Espresso Martinis.
What is the difference between Hel Above and Hel Below?
Hel Above is 22% ABV with a brighter, cleaner and more structured profile. Hel Below is 16% ABV with greater body, texture and rounded sweetness. Both are built around real brewed coffee and both can be used in Espresso Martinis and modern coffee cocktails.
Is NORSE CODE award-winning?
Yes. Hel Above won IWSC Gold with 95 points in 2026, while Hel Below was named Country Winner for England at the 2026 World Liqueur Awards and has also won Gold at the Global Liqueur Masters.