Prohibition Coffee Liqueur UK Alternative | Norse Code Hel Above

Looking for Prohibition Coffee Liqueur in the UK?

Prohibition Coffee Liqueur is an award-winning Australian coffee liqueur from Prohibition Liquor Co in Adelaide. It is made with Colombian and Ethiopian coffee, roasted by Soho Coffee, steeped at their Gilbert Street distillery, and bottled at 22% ABV.

It has earned international attention, including recognition as World’s Best Coffee Liqueur at the 2024 World Liqueur Awards. But for UK customers, it can be difficult to find.

The Best UK Alternative to Prohibition Coffee Liqueur

If you are searching for Prohibition Coffee Liqueur in the UK, Norse Code Hel Above is a strong UK-made alternative.

Like Prohibition, Hel Above is a 22% ABV coffee liqueur designed for modern coffee cocktails. It is crafted in Yorkshire using real coffee, premium spirit and our cold-filter brew method to create a cleaner, more coffee-led liqueur for Espresso Martinis.

Where Prohibition celebrates Australia’s coffee culture, Norse Code brings the same coffee-first thinking to the UK, with a Yorkshire-made liqueur developed through competition coffee expertise.

Prohibition Coffee Liqueur vs Norse Code Hel Above

Feature Prohibition Coffee Liqueur Norse Code Hel Above
Country Australia England
ABV 22% 22%
Coffee style Cold brewed / steeped coffee Cold-filter brewed coffee
Coffee-led flavour Yes Yes
Best serve Espresso Martinis and coffee cocktails Espresso Martinis and coffee cocktails
UK availability Limited Available in the UK
Made in Adelaide Yorkshire

Why People Search for Prohibition Coffee Liqueur

Prohibition Coffee Liqueur has become known for a rich, balanced profile, combining coffee, sweetness, roasted character and subtle chocolate-like depth. Its World Liqueur Awards tasting note described it as bold and balanced, with fruity and zesty notes, sweetness, roasted coffee aroma and a good finish.

That style appeals to drinkers who want something more serious than old-school, syrupy coffee liqueurs. It is less about simple sweetness and more about real coffee flavour.

Why Hel Above Works as a UK Alternative

Norse Code Hel Above was created for people who want a coffee liqueur that tastes like coffee first.

It is made in Yorkshire using a cold-filter brew process designed to preserve coffee character, balance and clarity. At 22% ABV, it has the strength and structure needed for a proper Espresso Martini without relying on excessive sweetness.

If you are looking for a coffee liqueur like Prohibition, but available in the UK, Hel Above offers:

  • 22% ABV strength
  • Real coffee character
  • Cold-filter brewed extraction
  • Balanced sweetness
  • Yorkshire production
  • Excellent Espresso Martini performance

Best Serve: Espresso Martini

Hel Above was built with Espresso Martinis in mind. Its higher strength, coffee-led flavour and balanced sweetness help create a smoother, cleaner cocktail.

Simple Espresso Martini Recipe

  • 50ml vodka
  • 35ml Norse Code Hel Above
  • 35ml fresh espresso, cooled
  • Ice

Shake hard with ice, then fine strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

Where to Buy Prohibition Coffee Liqueur in the UK

At the time of writing, Prohibition Coffee Liqueur is not widely available through mainstream UK retailers. If you are searching for it because you want a premium, coffee-led liqueur for Espresso Martinis, Norse Code Hel Above is a UK-made alternative available directly from Coffee Spirit Co.

Shop Norse Code Hel Above Coffee Liqueur

FAQ

Can you buy Prohibition Coffee Liqueur in the UK?

Prohibition Coffee Liqueur appears to have limited availability in the UK. It is an Australian coffee liqueur from Prohibition Liquor Co in Adelaide.

What is the best UK alternative to Prohibition Coffee Liqueur?

Norse Code Hel Above is a strong UK alternative. It is a 22% ABV Yorkshire coffee liqueur made for Espresso Martinis and modern coffee cocktails.

Is Hel Above the same style as Prohibition Coffee Liqueur?

They are not the same product, but they share a similar coffee-led direction. Both are 22% ABV and focus on real coffee character rather than simply being sweet coffee-flavoured liqueurs.

Is Hel Above good for Espresso Martinis?

Yes. Hel Above was developed specifically for Espresso Martinis, giving a bold coffee flavour, balanced sweetness and a cleaner finish.

Is Norse Code made in the UK?

Yes. Norse Code is made in Yorkshire by Coffee Spirit Co.

Yorkshire Made

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.

Gordon Howell Coffee Brewing

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.

Coffee and hospitality

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.

Dave CIGS award Yorkshire

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.

Old Map of York Norse Code

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.