Most people love the combined taste of coffee and liqueur in a glass. But what happens when fire is introduced? It becomes a spicy drink people can’t do without at special events such as cocktail parties and hangouts.
If you are a fan of coffee, the Spanish coffee is a stunning delight that comes with a twist and makes for a good drink at night, especially during cold days. If this has already set your taste bud on fire once, you must be curious to know how to whip your Spanish coffee recipe in the comfort of your home without visiting a bar.
Not to worry, we will walk you through the process so you can recreate that “bar-like” atmosphere when you hang out with your friends in your living room. Most of the ingredients you will need are within reach and easy to incorporate into your wine glass as well. So let’s get started.
A few misconceptions surround Spanish coffee. There are a lot of arguments surrounding its original place of origin. Most people believe it’s an American drink. At the same time, experts suggest that what is termed the “Spanish coffee” is the American variation of the Carajillo, which happens to be a Spanish coffee cocktail.
Hence, the Spanish coffee recipe is a spin-off of the Carajillo (the traditional Spanish coffee). The most dominant ingredient present in this drink includes rum, liqueur, coffee bean, and any creamy toppings. There are different variations served in most bars and serve as a delicious treat in cocktail parties and outdoor events.
Because it’s a coffee doesn’t mean it should be enjoyed at the office alone. Ironically, Spanish coffee is served as a delicious treat in most cocktail parties and outdoor events. This is because it makes room for creativity, and you can throw in delicious ingredients such as chocolate syrup, cherry, and whipped cream to create a custom taste.
The flaming Spanish coffee recipe has a lot in common with the traditional Spanish coffee recipe, but one key difference that sets them apart is “fire.”
Yes, fire! You light the rum in the flaming version on fire before you pour your coffee over it. In the original Spanish coffee drink, this extra step is missing. The introduction of fire helps caramelize the sugar and lemon applied to the glass rim to give it a different taste.
However, the flaming Spanish coffee is more difficult to make; there’s a risk of burn as you caramelize the sugar since you have to stir the inflamed rum by holding on to the glass handle. This is why you need to keep your hands away from the flame.
If the idea of fire in a glass excites you, then you might want to follow our step-by-step approach to creating the flaming Spanish coffee for the winter months.
Before we show you how to make the flaming Spanish coffee, we will have to show you a few ingredients you need to have before getting started. This will help you whip as many cups as possible at home. This recipe focuses on just one serving, but you can tweak the quantity to suit your need.
Pour one tablespoon of sugar on your shallow pan, turn your glass over it, and continue to move until the rim is covered with sugar.
Well, after going through our step-by-step instructions on how to make Spanish coffee, you might think, “this is too difficult”. We get it! It isn’t the easiest recipe to execute if you want to treat your guests to a delicious cup of coffee.
Luckily, other easier Spanish coffee drink recipes don’t require fire, and they taste just as good. Here they are.
The Cafe Bombon is the Valencian variation of Spanish coffee. It’s the easiest to prepare, and you will only need 2 Oz of espresso combined with condensed milk. Once you have these two at home, follow these steps to whip out the most straightforward coffee you will ever taste.
In place of the condensed milk, some people use creamy liqueurs instead. Baileys is a good option.
We already told you that Spanish coffee is a spin-off of the Carajillo. Fortunately, the recipe of the Carajillo has traveled beyond the shores of Spain and you don’t have to travel there to enjoy this drink. You can whip a Carajillo in your home using these ingredients.
Step 1: Measure 2 oz of the licor 43 and pour into a glass
Step 2: Pour your espresso over the back of a spoon when adding this
Step 3: You can finish it off with a topping of your choice. However, most people prefer whipped cream
In the steps mentioned above, we used the 151-proof rum for our recipe. This is because these types of rum are easier to inflame to room temperature, unlike aged rum, which has to be warmed first before they can be used for this purpose. Hence, save your time by going for rum labeled “151-proof.”
You will have to try out the flaming Spanish coffee in your home multiple times before you nail the right taste. This involves a lot of risks, and you have to be careful when you introduce fire. Ensure there are no kids close by when doing this, as they might want to try it out when you’re away. After all, everyone loves the sight of fire in a glass.
Lastly, your choice of glass and liqueur will determine how well the coffee comes out. Glasses with heavy construction should be used for this. Even with a caramelized rim, some thin glasses might still crack. Now that you know how to make the flaming Spanish coffee go try it out.
