If you were to visit a coffee house in Spain, you would likely find the selection of coffees to be astounding. While every region has its own unique take on coffee, Spanish blends are typically characterized by a very strong, sweet flavor. Here’s a typical line-up of the varieties offered for hot, brewed ground coffee:
- Cortado: A very small coffee made with espresso, a cortado can be ordered either as a straight shot, or with as much as 50% steamed or cold milk.
- Café con leche: Black coffee with milk, this variety is similar to a latte but has a higher milk ratio.
- Leche y Leche: This “milk and milk” coffee is an espresso with both hot steamed milk and sweet condensed milk.
- Carajillo: This hot coffee is spiced with a splash of liquor, such as whiskey, anisette, brandy, or rum.
While you may not be able to recreate the atmosphere and ambiance of a Spanish coffee house, you’ll find that it’s quite easy to make great-tasting Spanish coffee at home. Here are a few recipes to get you started:
After Dinner Spanish Coffee
- 5 oz. premium blend freshly brewed coffee made from 2 TB filtered water and 5 oz water
- ½ ounce rum
- ½ ounce Tia Maria coffee liqueur
- 3 tablespoons whipped cream
To make, simply stir rum and liqueur into 5 oz hot coffee and top with whipped cream.
Spanish Cream Coffee
- 2 cups premium blend freshly brewed coffee
- ½ cup cream
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ cup boiling water
- 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
- Ground nutmeg
To make, melt sugar in a saucepan until it forms a light brown syrup; add boiling water and simmer for two minutes. Remove from heat and add cream and coffee, then chill for at least one hour. Serve atop a scoop of ice cream and sprinkle with nutmeg.
So simple to make, Spanish coffee is the perfect accompaniment to your next dinner party. Enjoy serving these exotic blends to guests, or treat yourself to a cup as an everyday luxury.
International Coffee
Irish Coffee
Italian Coffee
Mexican Coffee
Jamaican Coffee
Costa Rica Coffee
Greek Coffee
Turkish Coffee