7 Coffee Recipes From Around the World to Make at Home

coffee beans - ready to make a special coffee recipe
by Nellie Rodriguez // 0 Comments

It is safe to say that coffee is one of the most loved beverages all over the world. From Austin to New Zealand, people start their day with a fresh cup of joe.  It’s hard to imagine life without it.

Are you a traditionalist when it comes to coffee or someone who likes to experiment? In any case, you might be curious to taste some of the best coffee recipes from around the world.  You can make these international recipes at home and they will bring a smile to every coffee lovers’ face!

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cup of coffee and glasses in the sunshine
There is definitely something special about a good cup of coffee.

What is it about Coffee?

Regardless of whether it is made in a moka pot, a travel coffee maker, drip coffee machine, or cappuccino maker, we are first in the line for a cup. But why do we like it so much? For many, the logical answer would be because the main ingredient, caffeine, provides us with much-needed energy to tackle all of the daily challenges.

That is true indeed, but there are other reasons why we indulge in this wonderful beverage! Can you think of any?

Did you know that caffeine is considered a legal drug?  It stimulates the central nervous system making you feel more alert.  Caffeine also gives a temporary energy boost and elevates mood.  It’s easy to see why it is so addictive.

Over time, drinking coffee became somewhat of a social thing, similar to as drinking alcohol. Many people like to meet friends in a local coffee shop for breakfast and morning coffee. Even if you are not an avid coffee drinker, it can start as a social ritual and in time you will become fond of the taste and hooked on the beverage.

overhead shot of people meeting at a coffee shop
Coffee shops have become popular places for social gatherings and meetings.

Finally, the main reason why people enjoy drinking coffee is hidden precisely in the taste. There is a vast variety of coffee flavors, so naturally, the tastes vary, and there is something that can satisfy every coffee drinker. Besides different coffee types and brewing methods, there are also various coffee drinks.

7 Popular Global Coffee Recipes

If you feel a little bored with your current coffee routine, we have a few ideas for you from around the world.  Not only will these inspire your taste buds, but they will also give you a feeling of traveling the globe without leaving home.

#1 Turkish Coffee

cup of turkish coffee with dates on a serving tray
Turkish coffee is popular in many countries.

If you have ever been to Turkey, Greece, or any of the republics of former Yugoslavia, you know about Turkish coffee. The curious thing about it, though, is that in every country where this drink is made, people think it is theirs. So everyone in Greece will tell you that it is Greek coffee, in Bosnia that it is Bosnian, etc.

The truth is that it is actually not Turkish, even if it is famous by that name. The historical documents say that it arrived in Turkey from Yemen in the 16th century. The Sultan and his staff decided to try this new beverage, and it quickly became incredibly popular.

The demand for coffee led to the creation of a specialized profession – Kahveci usta. These people were professional coffee makers, which we can interpret as the forerunners of modern-day baristas.

Coffee experienced some turbulence in Turkey since it was forbidden in the 17th century. The decision shocked everyone and was relatively quickly changed, and nowadays, coffee is again a popular drink in Turkey.

A recipe for this type of java drink is one of those coffee recipes preferred by people who like very finely ground coffee. To make it, you need a specific kind of pot called cezve or ibrik. Ideally, this pot should be made of copper. First, put the ibrik with water and sugar (optional) on the stove. When the water boils, add a teaspoon of coffee per cup. Return the ibrik to a stove and bring coffee to boil. When it does, remove it from the stove, mix well, and put it back to boil again.

#2 Affogato

affogato coffee drink from italy
Ice cream and espresso make quite the combination.

If Italy is at the top of your travel bucket list, you might like to try affogato.  It is one of the iced coffee recipes that will transfer you straight to Rome, Florence, or Venice, after the first sip. Whether you are walking through the narrow streets, admiring the ancient ruins, or having a stroll along the canal, you will want to sit in one of the famous Italian cafes and get refreshed with affogato.  

There is an ongoing discussion about whether affogato is a dessert or coffee drink because of the two main ingredients – vanilla ice cream and espresso.  Affogato, also known as  affogato al café was invented in Italy. The word itself means drowned. It refers to a scoop of ice cream being drowned in espresso.  Although some people insist that it is a drink, we will talk about it as one of the best coffee dessert recipes.

Making this wonderful dessert is pretty straightforward. In a previously chilled glass or cup, put a scoop of vanilla ice cream and brew espresso. You can pour the coffee over the ice cream or bring it on the side so everyone can pour for themselves.

#3 Irish Coffee

irish coffee
Irish coffee is the perfect after dinner drink for coffee lovers.

If coffee and whiskey are your favorites and you still haven’t tried famous Irish coffee, now is the time. Although some people probably drink it in the morning, we would say that Irish coffee isn’t the typical breakfast beverage.  It probably goes best after a nice evening meal.

This wonderful coffee drink was first made in the 1940s at a café in the airport in the city called Foynes in Ireland. Joe Sheridan, who was, at the time, a chef in the restaurant, decided to offer his guests warm refreshments, so he created this type of coffee. An anecdote goes that one of the travelers asked Sheridan if the coffee was Brazilian, and he replied, “No, that is Irish coffee!”

After the war, a travel writer, Stanton Delaplane, went to the States. There he mentioned it to his friend, the owner of the Buena Vista Club. He described it as one of the most delicious whipped coffee recipes and that is how it got international recognition.

It is pretty simple to make it, and you need only four ingredients – coffee, whiskey, whipped cream, and brown sugar. Before you do anything else, you need to warm the glass. The best way to do it is with boiling water. However, make sure to keep the metal spoon in the glass to prevent it from breaking. Then add a shot of whiskey. Pour coffee and add a bit of brown sugar. Make sure to mix it well so the sugar melts. Finally, slowly pour whipped cream into the glass.

#4 Café de Olla

mexican coffee drink
A clay pot is key to this delicious coffee recipe.

Many people know Café de Olla as Mexican coffee. It is one of the healthier coffee recipes because it is made by combining the coffee with cloves, anise, and cinnamon with a bit of panela or piloncillo.

Café de olla means coffee from the pot. It is traditionally prepared in a clay pot like this. The story is that it is originally made for the soldiers of the Mexican revolution. Nowadays, everyone sees it as a traditional Mexican beverage and part of the culture.

First, pour the water with all the spices and piloncillo in a clay pot and put it on the stove at medium temperature. Wait until it boils, and stir occasionally so the sugar melts. Remove the pot from the stove and add coffee, stir it once and let it steep for 6 -8 minutes. Strain the coffee and serve.

#5 Café Touba

Senegal national flag on top view work space of creative designer with laptop, computer keyboard, usb drive, graphic tablet, coffee cup, mouse on wooden table.
If you can’t make it to Senegal to try this special coffee, it is possible to make it at home.

This coffee drink is named after the city of Touba in Senegal, the country most famous for its peanut plantations. If you like car racing, then you also probably know about the famous race from Paris to Dakar. Well, Dakar is the capital of this West African country.  When you visit Senegal, you can try this coffee drink for only a few cents at every kiosk that sells street food.

Cafe Touba is a beverage typically made of a mix of Arabica beans with a potent taste. Usually, the coffee beans are left to infuse with a Guinean pepper called Djar and cloves. Then, the mixture is ground until it turns a dark even color.  Once it has cooled, it should be ground in a mortar by hand or using a coffee grinder.  (If you have trouble finding the special pepper, you can buy the coffee already ground for Cafe Touba here.) Prepare the drink using a filter, similar to the way you would prepare drip coffee.  Serve it hot with some sugar.  

It is invigorating and often used as a medicinal beverage. The Guinean pepper, used in this coffee recipe, is a variety of Piper Longum, which has anti-allergic properties and may help with some other respiratory problems.  The pepper contains piperine, which also aids with digestion, stimulates the production of endorphins, and may help with depression. 

#6 Vietnamese Coffee

vietnamese coffee being made with a phin
Vietnamese coffee is typically made with a phin, but there are other options too.

In Vietnam, they are serious about their coffee and use beans that are strong and bitter.  In order to counteract that bitterness, sweetened condensed milk is added to create a bittersweet beverage which can be served both hot or cold.  Sweetened condensed milk is a staple ingredient in Vietnam because it used to be used as a substitute for fresh milk in areas where refrigeration was not available.

Traditionally, Vietnamese coffee is made using a special Vietnamese coffee filter, called a phin. It’s a cheap contraption made of aluminium, easily found at most Asian grocery stores, but there are more upmarket stainless steel versions available in specialty stores.  If you don’t have a phin, you can also use a French press or your preferred machine to make some strong coffee or espresso.

If you want to the Vietnamese coffee to be authentic, look for robusta coffee beans, or maybe even try to source Vietnamese coffee beans from an Asian grocery store.  In the US, many Vietnamese households like to use ground coffee from Café Du Monde, a small but popular coffee chain in New Orleans.

To make this coffee, pour about 2 tablespoons of the sweetened condensed milk in the bottom of a glass.  Add about a 1/3 of a cup of the hot espresso or coffee.  Stir to dissolve the condensed milk and taste to see if it is sweet enough.  Remember you can always add more.  For an iced coffee, add some ice cubes.  Serve the Vietnamese coffee immediately.

#7 Tiramisu

tiramisu
The coffee in tiramisu is what makes it so delicious.

Tiramisu is one of the most popular Italian desserts of all time.  Since it uses coffee as a key ingredient, I think it belongs on this list of international coffee recipes.  While it’s not the easiest thing to make, it’s so delicious you will be glad you took the time to do it.

You will need some lady fingers cookies like these.  The cookies are dipped in a mixture of coffee and Kahlua then placed in layers with a custard that is mixed with mascarpone cheese and whipped cream.  Then you top it with a dusting of cocoa powder.  It all needs to set in the refrigerator overnight for best results.

You can find the step by step instructions here.  If you would like to learn how to make other international desserts, consider taking a live virtual cooking class.

More Delicious International Coffee Recipes

Could you imagine that there are so many exciting things about coffee and its history? And believe it or not, these global coffee recipes are just a few of a plethora of really delicious options that exist out there.  Plus, the coffee culture is constantly changing, and coffee lovers are always searching for new ways to enjoy their favorite beverage. 

It can be a flavoring in a dessert, cocktail, and more. Some people also like to use coffee as an ingredient in other recipes. If you want more ideas for coffee recipes, you might enjoy this coffee cookbook.

What are your favorite coffee recipes?

-Nellie

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Last Updated on June 10, 2021

About the Author

Nellie Rodriguez is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 30 different countries across 5 continents (and counting). She is a traveler on a mission to explore the world to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to explore this wondrous world. Her objective is to learn about the world while also searching for her place in it

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