Introducing The Pathfinder Espresso Tonic

The Pathfinder, the trailblazing non-alcoholic spirit brand pioneering a new era of no-, low- and full-ABV imbibing, announces the launch of The Pathfinder Espresso Tonic: an unprecedented, zero-proof, ready-to-drink collaboration with iconic Seattle roaster Caffe Vita.  Launching just in time for National Espresso Day (Sunday, November 23), The Pathfinder Espresso Tonic will be available for direct-to-consumer shipping to 48 states ($19.99/4-pack), in addition to specialty variety 12-packs. 

Crafted with a base of The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, the brand’s award-winning, botanical zero-proof spirit, and Vita Cold Shot, Caffe Vita’s groundbreaking cold espresso extraction, the effervescent new release shines both as a refreshing take on the endlessly popular Espresso Martini, making it ideal for eveningtime shenanigans – or as a third-eye-opening energy boost on the go morning, noon or night (with each 200ml can packing 1 full shot of espresso). 

“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 RTD into something completely unique. Inside the team, many are saying this is the finest and most daring Pathfinder RTD we’ve ever made.”

The Pathfinder Espresso Tonic is a spirited yet spirit-free cocktail made with carbonated water, botanicals, and a full espresso shot, delivering a layered drinking experience that is as functional as it is flavorful. At just 77 calories per 200ml can, each serve offers the invigorating lift of coffee with the satisfying depth of a true cocktail. Notes of juniper, sage, saffron, orange peel, and Douglas fir intertwine with Caffe Vita’s signature Del Sol blend, yielding milk chocolate, caramel, and dark cherry undertones for a vibrant bitter-sweet balance.

A NEW WAY TO SIP: COFFEE MEETS COCKTAIL

Portable, pourable, and endlessly sessionable, The Pathfinder Espresso Tonic is ready whenever—and wherever—the moment calls. Whether enjoyed straight from a chilled can, or poured over ice with a citrus twist, this RTD delivers a fresh alternative for curious drinkers, daytime sippers, and social occasions that demand both flavor and function.

“Caffe Vita has been a longtime supporter of The Pathfinder, so this feels like a natural collaboration,” said Deming Maclise, CEO of Caffe Vita. “Our Vita Cold Shot is an innovative and shelf-stable product that is designed to be used as an ingredient in any recipe calling for delicious espresso. Partnering with The Pathfinder to create the Espresso Tonic was a no-brainer and the result is fantastic. It’s such a cool opportunity to partner with another local, independent brand and we are happy to offer a collaboration that is bold, complex, and distinctly Pacific Northwest.”

A COLLABORATION ROOTED IN SEATTLE

The partnership between The Pathfinder and Caffe Vita is more than a convenient collaboration—it’s a return to their shared roots. Both brands were born in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, where The Pathfinder first launched in 2021 just steps away from Caffe Vita’s flagship roastery on Pike Street. Vita quickly embraced the fledgling brand, carrying Pathfinder bottles across its cafés in Seattle and New York, and even creating an in-house n/a cocktail—the “Pathfinder Cola”—that became a cult favorite among regulars.

That early support planted the seeds for today’s Espresso Tonic. This summer, a chance ferryboat encounter between The Pathfinder co-founder Chris Abbott and Caffe Vita owner Deming Maclise brought the collaboration full circle. Maclise introduced Abbott to Vita’s newly launched Vita Cold Shot—a groundbreaking cold espresso extraction made with BKON’s patented RAIN technology. The Pathfinder team immediately saw the potential, reformulating the Espresso Tonic around Vita Cold Shot to achieve what Abbott calls “the finest and most daring RTD we’ve made yet.”

The brand’s third canned beverage release to date, Pathfinder Espresso Tonic joins Pathfinder Spritz and Pathfinder Negroni to create a trio perfect for imbibing at home, on the go, or for gifting to adventurous imbibers this holiday season, Dry-ish January (and beyond). 

Launching just in time for National Espresso Day (Sunday, November 23) The Pathfinder Espresso Tonic will be available nationwide via drinkthepathfinder.com, MSRP [19.99/4-pack].