Review: Coffee Infused Vinegar Hot Sauce by Queen Majesty

If you’re diving into the world of hot sauces, Queen Majesty’s Red Habanero and Black Coffee sauce is a curious stop. Brewed up in Queens, New York, this blend rolls out with a unique twist—coffee-infused vinegar.

Now, that caught my attention. It’s not every day you get to taste something that wakes you up like your morning brew and lights up your taste buds at the same time. The red habaneros pack the punch here, delivering a solid heat that lingers. There’s a hint of something concentrated, maybe from the vinegar, but it’s hard to pin down exactly.

Let’s dive deeper into what makes this sauce stand out, or not.

Introducing: Red Habanero and Black Coffee by Queen Majesty

Queen Majesty is a hot sauce maker based in Queens, New York, they’ve been spicing up the scene since 2013 with their unique blends. What sets them apart? Their commitment to natural ingredients—no sugar, xanthan gum, or preservatives in sight. They aim to honor each pepper’s flavor, carefully selecting ingredients that highlight, not hide, the fiery taste.

The Red Habanero and Black Coffee sauce is a testament to their craft. Imagine black coffee-infused white vinegar mingling with the robust heat of red habaneros. It’s a mix of yin and yang in every drop. It was also featured on Hot Ones Season 3. This sauce brings a familiar yet elusive taste—maybe it’s the infused vinegar or just a brilliant display of the peppers’ flavors. It’s hard to nail down, but it’s definitely worth exploring. Priced around $14 or $15 CAD online, it’s a fair deal for a bottle of this caliber.

Manufacturer: Queen Majesty
Made In: USA
Heat Rating: 5/10
Size: 147mL
Price Range: $14-$15

Ingredients: Coffee-infused white vinegar, red bell peppers, red habanero peppers, sweet onions, garlic cloves, ginger root, extra virgin olive oil, salt & spices.

Appearance

Queen Majesty’s Red Habanero and Black Coffee sauce has a look that’s as bold as its flavor. Packaged in a classic 150mL woozy bottle, it sports a sleek white label. The front catches your eye with a striking black wolf amidst some greenery, setting a wild tone right off the bat. The sauce’s name is front and center, flanked by nutritional info and other details on the sides.

The sauce itself is a vibrant red, reminding you a bit of a light, homemade pasta sauce. You’ll spot flecks of spices and seeds suspended throughout, adding to its rustic charm. It’s got a nice consistency—not too thick, not too runny—making it easy to pour without any fuss at the bottle’s neck. Perfect for a smooth drizzle over your meal.

Smell

Taking a whiff of Queen Majesty’s Red Habanero and Black Coffee sauce, you’re first hit with a strong vinegary punch. But this isn’t just any vinegar—it’s that intriguing coffee-infused kind that gives it a distinct edge. The peppery zing of habanero peppers cuts through, hinting at the heat that awaits.

While garlic and ginger might play a role in the sauce’s recipe, they hang back in the aroma, making way for a subtle onion presence that layers in nicely. This is one of those scents that gets your senses primed for spice. It’s almost like it preps your body for the heat, making you anticipate that first fiery taste.

Taste and Flavour

The first thing you notice with Queen Majesty’s Red Habanero and Black Coffee sauce is the strong vinegar flavor. It’s upfront and bold, though the coffee notes are subtle—don’t expect the usual coffee flavors you might be familiar with. This is vinegar with a twist.

The real star here is the habanero peppers. They deliver a peppery punch that’s spot on for heat lovers, making the sauce distinctly peppery. The onion serves as a quiet backbone, not stealing the show but effectively carrying the pepper flavors to your palate. Garlic, while in the mix, doesn’t make a strong appearance.

Texture-wise, this sauce nails it with a consistency that’s reminiscent of a light, airy, wood-fired pizza sauce—fresh like what you’d find at a quality Italian spot. The little bits of ingredients add an enjoyable texture, and occasionally, you get the satisfying crunch of a seed. This sauce is a journey of vinegar and spice, with every bite offering a new note or texture to savor.

Heat Level

Queen Majesty’s Red Habanero and Black Coffee hot sauce hits a solid 5 out of 10 on my heat scale. It’s not about blowing your head off; it’s more about delivering that sharp, stingy heat that habanero fans know well. The heat sticks around, lingering long enough to remind you of what you just experienced.

This sauce had me sweating—literally. It brought on a sweat across my cheeks and forehead, though my hairline got off easy. After a good amount went down, my nose was running, a testament to its power. While the heat might feel concentrated, I suspect the strong vinegar base might be amplifying the sensation, playing a trick on the taste buds.

Conclusion: Overall Thoughts

Overall, I found Queen Majesty’s Red Habanero and Black Coffee hot sauce pretty decent. It’s got potential as a mixer—think stirring it into pasta or slapping it on a sandwich. The vinegar is prominent, almost too much for my taste, but when the pepper flavor breaks through, it’s quite good. The coffee-infused vinegar adds a unique twist that I appreciated, although I was hoping for a stronger coffee flavor.

Keep in mind, this sauce is one of those featured on Hot Ones. If you’re exploring sauces from the show, this one’s worth a try. It didn’t completely knock my socks off, but it’s a solid choice that stands out with its unique elements.

Please remember that taste is subjective and everyone will experience hot sauce uniquely. These reviews contain my own thoughts and opinions. If you think you’ll enjoy a hot sauce then you should definitely try it out.