Grounds to Green Gold: Realizzato Brews Waste-to-Energy Spirits

Attention, renewable energy engineers and sustainable innovators—your next toast may be to a breakthrough in circular economy thinking. British distilling firm Murray & Yeatman has unveiled Realizzato, a coffee liqueur that may just be the most eco-conscious alcoholic beverage ever bottled.

Crafted from used coffee grounds. Yes, the ones usually destined for landfill. Realizzato is the product of over a decade of scientific research, alchemy, and good old-fashioned ingenuity. The firm’s proprietary method uses enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, and triple distillation to convert coffee waste into a smooth, 20% ABV spirit with rich, roasted flavor and a clean environmental conscience.

Here’s the kicker: every tonne of coffee grounds left to rot releases a tonne of CO₂ equivalent. In the UK alone, one major coffee chain discards 240 tonnes daily. That’s 10 tonnes of CO₂e every hour. Murray & Yeatman’s process doesn’t just prevent this, it turns a liability into luxury.

For engineers exploring waste-to-energy or circular systems, Realizzato is a beacon. It marks the first new industrial fermentation input in over 400 years, proof that even entrenched processes can evolve sustainably.

“The beverage industry has been dragging its heels,” says CEO Rob Murray. “We’re proving it can lead the way.”

With 100% recycled packaging and global expansion plans, Realizzato isn’t just sipping toward sustainability, it’s sprinting. Here’s to a world where your cocktail fights climate change. Bottoms up, responsibly.