Estonia's most famous liqueur was created in Tallinn in 1960: a dark, sweet, rum based spirit flavored with citrus, vanilla and warm spices, named after the old town itself. Estonians drink it over ice, pour it into mulled wine and stir it into hot coffee and float a spoonful of cream on top. It is a dessert in a glass, and the kind of drink that makes a dark winter afternoon in Tallinn feel considerably shorter.

It takes two minutes to make and about the same to disappear, and on a chilly race morning there are few better ways to watch the pre race build up. The zero proof version, with a homemade spiced syrup, is just as cozy.

The coffee

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) strong hot black coffee
• 2 1/2 oz (80 ml) Estonian rum liqueur
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon or finely grated dark chocolate

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