Italian liqueur producer Luxardo has expanded its espresso liqueur range with the launch of a caffeine-reduced option for cocktails in the US.

Luxardo Decaf Espresso is designed to offer the flavour profile of espresso cocktails without the caffeine content typically associated with coffee-based serves.

According to the company, the liqueur is made using decaffeinated arabica beans sourced from Brazil, Vietnam and Uganda. The beans are roasted, ground and infused over 25 days to create an espresso-foward profile, with notes of cocoa, subtle sweetness and a smooth finish.

Matteo Luxardo, global export director at Luxardo, said: "Espresso is not simply a flavour profile. It is one of the most defining expressions of Italian culture. Our responsibility as a family producer is to preserve that authenticity in everything we create."

"Innovation is never about moving away from tradition, it's about finding new ways to express it. Creating a decaffeinated version of our espresso liqueur allowed us to stay true to tradition and our quality standards while expanding the ways people can enjoy espresso cocktails to their liking in a modern context."

The new product had been developed for use in both professional bars and at-home cocktail occasions. Luxardo said it can be used in classic espresso cocktails such as espresso martini, as well as serves including espresso tonic, without requiring fresh espresso.

Brian Radics, chief marketing officer at Hotaling & Co, Luxardo’s US importer, said: "For years, espresso cocktails have been one of the most in-demand serves on menus, but there has never been a true decaf solution behind the bar".

"As consumers increasingly seek to extend café-style moments into the evening without the effects of caffeine, the decaf liqueur provides a cocktail-ready solution. Espresso Liqueur has been the fastest-growing product in the US Luxardo portfolio. We believe consumers and bartenders will respond similarly to our new decaf offering and embrace decaf cocktails as part of their cocktail programs and at-home occasions."

Luxardo Decaf Espresso Liqueur contains 0.4mg of caffeine per ounce and is bottled at 27% ABV. The product is made without added colouring agents

The liqueur has an SRP of $29.99 for a 750ml bottle and is available through select US retailers, including BevMo, Total Wine & More and Eataly, as well as on-premise accounts and online.