The Spanish Coffee is a java drink with a citrus-tinged kick.
You see the name of tonight’s recipe, the Spanish Coffee, and your mind might immediately think that this was crafted somewhere in the romantic and rustic cafés of Spain, possibly during the time of Hemingway’s travels and adventures through the country. But not so fast. This robust and powerful beverage was invented elsewhere, it turns out.
In the 1970s, at Portland, Oregon’s oldest restaurant called Huber’s Cafe, co-owner James Louie created a hot and flaming concoction inspired by other coffee cocktails, as well as drinks like the Carajillo. Dousing the sugared rim in high-proof rum and lighting it on fire also added to the drink’s charm and presentation, as well as separating it from other caffeinated tipples that had become popular throughout the country.
Do you have a blowtorch in your kitchen for crème brûlées? Give it a spin by making a few Spanish Coffees tonight.
What Is The Best Rum To Use For The Rim?
Since the high-proof rum will be used to help melt and caramelize the sugar rim, you’ll need something that will ignite fairly easily once that mini-blowtorch is turned on. So choose an overproof liquor with a high concentration of ethanol. Beware, however. My buddy in college was fond of doing shots with (the now-discontinued) Bacardi 151, and well… It burns going down, as well as up.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Spanish Coffee?
The alcoholic elements used in this recipe are triple sec and coffee liqueur. If you have a favorite brand of the orange-tinged triple sec, definitely use that. For myself, I waffle between mixing with Grand Marnier or Cointreau. There are also plenty of fantastic coffee spirits available at your local store, such as the rum-based Kahlúa or Mr. Black’s cold brew liqueur. We have a recipe for a Homemade Coffee Liqueur that’s also highly recommended.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon high-proof rum for flaming the rim
- Granulated sugar for the rim
- 1 1/2 ounces coffee liqueur
- 3/4 ounce triple sec
- 5 ounces strong hot coffee
- 1 ounce whipped cream for topping
- Orange peel or chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
- To create the caramelized sugar rim: first dip a coffee mug into the high-proof rum and immediately into granulated sugar to coat. Next, carefully ignite the rim, rotating the glass to caramelize the sugar.
- Pour the coffee liqueur and triple sec into the prepared glass. Add the coffee, leaving at least an inch for the whipped cream.
- Top with whipped cream and garnish with an orange peel twist or chocolate shavings if desired.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
A glass mug, suitable for hot beverages, is an ideal way to enjoy the Spanish Coffee. Preheat your mug by pouring some boiling water in and letting that sit for a few minutes. Spill that out, then pour your drink in. Garnish with a whipped cream topper, orange twist and some light chocolate shavings.
Can this be served as an iced beverage?
If you’d like this to be an iced recipe, you can store the coffee in your fridge to chill it for a few hours, then prepare and pour the completed mixture over ice, garnishing as usual.
Other Coffee Cocktails Worth Trying
It doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside; anytime is a good time for a hot cup of joe. And anytime of the year is a great time to whip up a few coffee beverages that have a little something extra in them, and I’m not talking about half-and-half either. Check out some of these strong, eye-opening sippers from Twist & Toast today.
- Mexican Coffee – Tequila adds the bite to this smooth, hot elixir.
- Buena Vista Irish Coffee – The San Francisco treat that popularized the classic beverage in the States.
- Coffee Nudge – Coffee and other liqueurs combine in this indulgent, creamy cocktail.
- Baileys and Coffee – Irish cream and coffee make a perfect pair.
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