Copyright Men's Journal
The Pathfinder is a quirky beverage brand that is bringing to the table non-alcoholic cocktails that provide a drinking experience unlike anything else. The Pathfinder says its inspiration comes from “an eye to the future of drinks and a thirst for progress in booze-free spirits, hemp and root hearkens to a bygone age while raising the standard of flavor and quality in non-alcoholic spirits.” The aforementioned signature hemp and root base is made with fermented and distilled hemp refined by copper pot distillation, then mixed with a slew of botanicals like wormwood, angelic root, sage, juniper, saffron, orange peel, and Douglas fir. This recipe is the heart of its entire beverage line, providing a flavor unlike anything else on the market. Want trending news, op-eds, and top stories straight to your inbox? Sign up for our Daily newsletter. This same base was used to make its latest sip—The Pathfinder Espresso Tonic. This new drink is blended with an entire shot of Caffe Vita’s Cold Shot Espresso to provide complex intertwined notes of herbs and botanicals with rich chocolate, caramel and cherry flavor. Its calling the drink, that has less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), an “effervescent tonic powerful enough to open the third eye.” The Pathfinder Espresso Tonic, $20 for a Four-Pack at Drink Pathfinder Caffe Vita is an iconic Pacific Northwest-based coffee roaster that offers hand-roasted beans and features a cold espresso extraction brewing process with a patented RAIN (Reverse Atmospheric Infusion) technology. As a neighbor to Caffe Vita, The Pathfinder felt it was a natural partnership, coming together to craft this new Espresso Tonic. “The Pathfinder was born on a five-block stretch of Seattle’s Capitol Hill, where Caffe Vita was one of our earliest supporters,” said Chris Abbott, co-founder of The Pathfinder. “Partnering with Vita on this release felt like a homecoming. Their new cold shot technology delivers espresso with incredible flavor and texture—and it elevates this ready-to-drink (RTD) into something completely unique,” as stated in its press release. On social media, fans are saying it’s a “match made in heaven” and is “the collab you didn’t know you needed.” The maker recommends serving the canned beverage over ice with a lemon garnish for a slow sipping experience, or chill the can and drink it on-the-go for a zip of energy. It claims the Espresso Tonic provides three “forces”—caffeine for spark, botanicals for a mood boost and bubbles to “make your aura sparkle.” The Pathfinder also makes two additional ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails—the Negroni and Spritz, with the former capturing the flavor of a classic Negroni and the latter being a bubbly drink with citrus zest. Its beverages can be purchased on The Pathfinder’s website, where a four-pack of 6.8-ounce cans of Espresso Tonic sells for $19.99.
