The Story Behind Todd Kerns' DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur’s Rock-Star Success
When rock meets coffee, and coffee meets spirits, the result is a product as bold and dynamic as the man behind it—Todd Kerns. Known for his powerhouse performances as a bassist and vocalist with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, as well as his solo projects, Todd Kerns has now rocked the world of spirits with his signature DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur.
This collaboration between Todd Kerns and Writers & Rockers Spirits Company began as a natural progression from his wildly popular DAMMIT Coffee Blend, created in partnership with Writers & Rockers Coffee Company. What started as a love for coffee, a deep appreciation for the art of brewing, and a desire to offer fans an incredible coffee experience has now turned into a new venture in the spirits world—one that perfectly reflects Todd’s rock ‘n’ roll energy and uncompromising standards.
From Rock-Star Coffee to Rock-Star Liqueur: The Origin Story
The journey to creating DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur began with a simple idea: expand the rich, bold flavor profile of DAMMIT Coffee Blend into something even bigger. The DAMMIT Coffee Blend, a best-seller in its own right, is a unique mixture of medium-roasted 100% Arabica beans, and it quickly became a fan favorite among coffee lovers and rock enthusiasts alike.
“I’ve always loved coffee—whether it’s starting the day or finding that perfect brew in between shows,” says Todd. “The DAMMIT Coffee Blend became a personal passion project. The response to it was amazing, so the next logical step was to combine my love for coffee with something else I enjoy—a well-crafted liqueur.”
Thus, the idea for DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur was born. It was an ambitious goal: to capture the bold, smooth flavor of DAMMIT Coffee and blend it with a top-shelf, six-times-distilled vodka. The result had to be something that could stand alone as a delicious sipping liqueur, as well as hold its own in cocktails. And, just like Todd’s approach to music, every detail had to be perfect.
Crafting the Perfect Blend: An Unwavering Commitment to Quality
Todd Kerns didn’t just put his name on the bottle—he was deeply involved in every step of the development process, working closely with the product development team at Writers & Rockers Spirits Company. It wasn’t enough to just have a good coffee flavor; it had to be the right coffee flavor, perfectly balanced with the smoothness of the vodka.
Starting with the foundation of the original DAMMIT Coffee Blend, the team set out to create a liqueur that captured the spirit of the blend while enhancing it with the complexity of a premium alcohol base. Different recipes were attempted, with Todd personally tasting and tweaking each iteration.
“Developing the coffee liqueur was similar to putting together an album,” Todd explains. “We had a lot of elements to get right—the roasted coffee notes, the smoothness of the vodka, and finding that perfect balance of sweetness. It took time, but we weren’t going to settle until it was exactly how we wanted it.”
The base for DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur is a corn-based vodka, distilled six times to achieve an ultra-smooth finish. This high-quality vodka is then blended with the rich, bold flavors of 100% Arabica coffee beans, roasted to perfection by Writers & Rockers Coffee Company. The result is a coffee liqueur that’s velvety smooth, full of flavor, and a perfect reflection of Todd’s distinct tastes.
The Bottle: Designed to Rock
Much like his music, Todd Kerns wanted every aspect of DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur to stand out—and that meant paying close attention to the bottle design. Just as he was hands-on with the flavor development, Todd worked closely with the creative team to design a bottle that would be as striking as the liqueur inside.
The bottle’s shape is sleek and distinctive, with a design that merges elements of Todd’s rock-star persona and his love for the artistry of coffee. The label design is bold, with the name "DAMMIT" emblazoned across the front in a style that channels the rebellious energy of rock ‘n’ roll. The label’s details, from the typography to the colors, were carefully chosen to reflect Todd’s personality—edgy yet refined, with a nod to his deep connection to both music and coffee.
“When it came to the label, it had to be just as cool as the liqueur itself,” Todd says. “I wanted something that would pop on the shelf, something people would be drawn to before they even taste it. We spent a lot of time getting the look just right, and I’m really proud of what we created.”
The Secret to Its Success: Authenticity and Passion
DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur quickly became one of the top-selling coffee liqueurs in North America, and it’s easy to see why. Its success stems from the same qualities that make Todd Kerns such a beloved figure in the music world: authenticity, passion, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
This isn’t just another celebrity-endorsed product. Todd Kerns was deeply involved in every aspect of its creation, from the taste and texture to the design and branding. Every sip of DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur reflects Todd’s personal taste—rich, smooth, and bold—while also celebrating the incredible flavor of the original DAMMIT Coffee Blend.
The liqueur’s versatility has also contributed to its popularity. Whether it’s enjoyed neat, over ice, or in a signature cocktail, DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur delivers a unique, unforgettable experience. Some of the most popular cocktail recipes featuring DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur include the Rockstar Espresso Martini, the DAMMIT White Russian, and the DAMMIT Mocha Martini—each one offering a bold, coffee-forward twist on classic drinks.
A Liqueur That’s Here to Stay
Since its launch, DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur has taken the spirits market by storm, resonating with both coffee aficionados and spirits enthusiasts alike. Its rapid rise to the top of the charts as one of the best-selling coffee liqueurs in North America is a testament to the care, attention to detail, and passion that went into its creation.
For Todd Kerns, the success of DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur is yet another example of how his creative vision extends far beyond music. With his signature liqueur, Todd has taken his love for coffee and spirits and turned it into a product that’s as authentic, exciting, and rock ‘n’ roll as he is.
“Whether it’s music or coffee liqueur, I’m always looking for that perfect blend,” Todd says. “DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur is something I’m incredibly proud of, and it’s awesome to see how much people are loving it. It’s got all the right notes—just like a great song.”
In a crowded market, DAMMIT Coffee Liqueur stands out not just because of the name attached to it, but because it’s a high-quality product crafted with the same passion and care that Todd Kerns brings to everything he does. And with every bottle sold, more and more people are getting to experience a little bit of that magic for themselves.