Craving a mocha latte? What about a cinnamon dolce cappuccino? While these drinks can be found at nice cafes, you can also make them at home with only a little bit of effort. Whether you like to drink your coffee poured over ice, or piping hot, there are so many unique and delicious ways to turn your coffee into a cafe worthy drink.
This is also a perfect time to test out new at-home and unique coffee drink recipes, as much of the world is currently in quarantine. Whether you love mocha flavored drinks or prefer something more unconventional like peanut butter, there are so many ways to experiment with your coffee recipes.
While traveling to another country can be pricey, a great way to experience it, without leaving home, is by trying out their cuisine. These unique coffee drink recipes will transport you across the world, from New Zealand to Brazil to Vietnam, and more.
Ready to go beyond your normal black coffee? Here are 13 unique coffee drink recipes that you can make in the comfort of your home.
1. The Flat White
The flat white originally comes from Australia and New Zealand, which island specifically is highly debated. The beverage was first recorded in 1985 in Sydney, and since then has been a staple in Australia. Over the years the coffee drink gained notoriety all over the world, even eventually becoming a Starbucks drink.
Ingredients →
- Double shot of espresso
- 4 oz. milk or creamer
How to make it →
- Pull a double shot of espresso into a mug.
- Pour the milk into your frother and froth until desired consistency (you can learn how to properly froth coffee here).
- Pour the frothed milk over the espresso and enjoy.
2. Ca Phe Trung
Ca Phe Trung, which originates from Vietnam, is made with one unique ingredient: egg. The egg yolks, mixed with sugar, condensed milk, and coffee creates a creamy texture finish, that some compare to tasting like a Cadbury egg.
Like many coffee recipes, the origin of the Ca Phe Trung is debated, but many say it comes from a time period where dairy was scarce in Vietnam. While the whipped eggs were originally a temporary substitute for dairy, the beverage stuck.
Ingredients →
- 1 egg
- 3 tsp Vietnamese coffee powder
- 2 tsp sweetened condensed milk
How to make it →
- Brew a cup of coffee however you like (if you have a phin and Vietnamese robusta coffee, it will be more authentic).
- Separate the egg yolk from the whites and discard or save the whites.
- Whip the egg yolks together adding in the condensed milk until frothy. Add in a few tablespoons of coffee.
- Top off the remaining coffee with the egg yolk foam.
3. Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is a staple in Ireland, but also all over the world. The drink spread like wildfire over the past few decades as tourism to Ireland grew, and visitors realized how delicious this coffee recipe was.
While you might think Irish coffee is just adding whiskey into coffee, it’s much more precise than that. Adding the perfect amount of coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and cream will create a delicious, mouth-watering beverage.
Ingredients →
- 1 cup of coffee
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Heavy cream (lightly Whisked)
- Whiskey to your preference
How to make it →
- Pour your hot coffee into a warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full.
- Add-in the brown sugar and mix until it is completely dissolved and the consistency is smooth.
- Blend in your Irish whiskey of choice.
- Top with whipped heavy cream and serve.
4. Cafe Frappé
The cafe frappé, which originated in Greece, is more of a dessert than a drink. It’s a foam-covered coffee drink that is traditionally made with instant coffee. As it made its way to other countries, like the United States, the recipe has been slightly altered. This drink is made with four simple ingredients including instant coffee, sugar, milk, and ice. Easy homemade coffee drinks can be a fun way to experiment with flavors and textures. By combining various ingredients, you can create unique coffee beverages that suit your taste. Whether you prefer a classic iced coffee or something more adventurous, there’s a recipe for everyone to enjoy. Easy iced coffee recipes for summer can be a refreshing alternative to hot beverages. You can try variations that incorporate seasonal fruits, such as adding fresh berries or slices of peach. Additionally, using flavored syrups or plant-based milks can elevate your iced coffee experience.
Ingredients →
- 1/2 cup Instant Espresso cooled
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste preference
How to make it →
- Combine all the ingredients in your blender and blend until consistent.
5. The Affogato
The Affogato is another drink that resembles dessert. Originating from Italy, the beverage pairs gelato with espresso, creating a tasty treat. “Affogato,” which in Italian means drowned, references the fact that the gelato is drowned when the espresso is poured over it.
After gaining popularity around the world, the drink recipe has been altered to use various ingredients like ice cream, liqueur, and brewed coffee.
Ingredients →
- 1 scoop top-quality gelato
- double-shot of espresso
- 1 chilled bowl
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, crumbled biscotti, or crushed nuts.
How to make it →
- Place a scoop of gelato at the bottom of your chilled bowl.
- Pour the espresso over the gelato.
- Add any extra toppings and enjoy.
6. Cafe Viennois
If you guessed from the name, cafe viennois arguably originated from Vienna, Austria. The drink recipe makes the perfect afternoon dessert, as it is a combination of espresso, hot milk, and whipped cream. If you’re feeling fancy you can also add a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top.
Ingredients →
- 4 cups of coffee ice cream
- 8-12 oz of coffee
- whipped cream
How to make it →
- Brew coffee and place in the fridge to cool.
- Place coffee ice cream in a cup, pouring the chilled coffee over it.
7. Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Vietnamese coffee, coming from Vietnam, consists of a delicious mix of iced coffee and sweetened condensed milk. The usage of condensed milk instead of regular milk adds an extra level of flavor. Traditional Vietnamese coffee is made by using a small metal drip filter and to get the right flavor for this coffee, we suggest using that as well.
Ingredients →
-
2 tablespoons dark-roast ground coffee
- 2/3 cup of water
-
2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk
How to make it →
- Steep coffee grounds in a heatproof container with 2/3 cup boiling water for 4 minutes. Pour through a coffee filter into a heatproof glass.
- Stir in condensed milk until consistent.
8. Cafezinho
Cafezinho comes from Brazil and translates to “little coffee” in Portuguese. This translation is also synonymous with a level of hospitality in Brazil, making it the perfect coffee to offer to your guests. Offering your guests a cafezinho is a great way to ask them to sit down and relax with you, and a tradition we can emulate everywhere.
Cafezinho is made in a unique way that creates a thick consistency. The drink is super sweet which is partially why there is no milk or cream served with it.
Ingredients →
- 1 cup of cold water
- a heaping Tbsp of espresso-ground coffee beans
- 1 tsp sugar, or to your sweet preference
How to make it →
- Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan to just below boiling.
- Add-in the coffee grounds, then remove from the heat and stir.
- Filter the mixture by pouring it through a filter into an espresso cup.
9. Café Con Hielo
Café Con Hielo, which originated in Spain, is a great drink for espresso lovers. The name itself translates to coffee with ice, and that is exactly what it is, an espresso over ice. This drink is perfect for a warm afternoon, or even better — a beachside refresher.
Ingredients →
- 1 Nespresso Ristretto Decaffeinato capsule
- 2 ice cubes
- 1 stick sugar
How to make it →
-
- Place sugar in the bottom of your glass.
- Pour espresso over sugar, add ice, and enjoy.
10. Cafe De Olla
Cafe de Olla is a traditional Mexican coffee, which translates directly to “pot coffee” in Spanish. The drink is brewed in a clay pot which brings out the flavors of the beans. The coffee has a distinct flavor that comes from the use of cinnamon and piloncillo, a Mexican sugar. It is rarely served with milk or cream, but often includes clove, allspice, black peppercorns, and an orange peel as well.
Ingredients →
- 8 cups of cold water
- 3 piloncillo cones, or ⅓ cup of dark brown sugar*
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 8 tbsp coarsely ground Mexican coffee
- Optional: 1 clove, 2 allspice berries, 3 black peppercorns, and 4 strips of orange peel
How to make it →
- Place the water in a saucepan with the piloncillo cones and cinnamon.
- Bring the water to a boil, allow the sugar to dissolve, then remove it from the heat.
- Add the coffee grounds and allow them to steep for 8 – 10 minutes.
- Use a ladle to pour the liquid into cups.
11. Bulletproof Coffee
The last coffee drink recipe on this list comes from the United States. Bulletproof coffee was a term coined by Dave Asprey, a bio-hacker, who believes adding in healthy fats early in the morning will increase your longevity, hence why this coffee includes grass-fed butter. Homemade mocha latte variations can also be a great way to experiment with flavors and textures. Many people enjoy adding a dash of cinnamon or vanilla to enhance the taste. Additionally, using different types of milk, such as almond or oat, can create a unique twist on the classic drink.
Although it might sound like a weird combination, butter, and coffee, it has become a hit sensation around the world over the past few years. It’s even been coined a meal replacer, energy drink, and brain booster by many drinkers.
Ingredients →
- 1 cup of coffee
- 1/2 tsp-2 tbsp brain octane oil
- 1 tbsp grass-fed butter
How to make it →
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and mix until frothy.
Our Unique Coffee Drink Picks
We matched one coffee to each mood and moment below. Tap the image or the coffee name to see it on Amazon. We chose these from each roaster’s published details rather than from brewing them ourselves yet, so both are labeled research-rated. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Feeling adventurous: a Vietnamese egg coffee on a slow morning
Our pick: Trung Nguyen Premium Blend, Arabica and Robusta blend, ground, 15 oz can.
Why we recommend it: On a slow weekend morning when you want to try something new, whip up a Ca Phe Trung with this Vietnamese blend. Trung Nguyen lists it as a bold, strong mix of Arabica and Robusta with chocolate notes, roasted with traditional Vietnamese techniques and ground to suit a phin filter, drip brewer, moka pot, or French press. That fits this recipe: we note that a phin and Vietnamese robusta coffee make Ca Phe Trung more authentic, and a strong, chocolaty cup holds up well under the sweet egg yolk and condensed milk foam. One honest note: it comes pre-ground, so it will not stay as fresh as whole beans once the can is open.
How we reached this: We checked Trung Nguyen’s published blend, roast style, flavor notes, and grind against this article’s Ca Phe Trung recipe and its tip on phin-brewed Vietnamese robusta, using the criteria in our coffee rating system. Research-rated, not yet brewed by our team.
Feeling focused: a flat white before the workday starts
Our pick: Lavazza Super Crema, medium espresso roast, whole bean, 2.2 lb.
Why we recommend it: When you need a smooth, steady start before work, pull a double shot of this for your flat white. Lavazza lists Super Crema as a full-bodied medium espresso roast with a bold, creamy finish, blended from Arabica and Robusta beans grown in 15 countries and made for espresso. That fits this recipe: our flat white is just a double shot of espresso under about 4 oz of frothed milk, so the espresso has to be rich enough to come through the milk. One honest note: a 2.2 lb bag is a lot of beans, so if you only make a flat white now and then, keep it sealed airtight.
How we reached this: We checked Lavazza’s published roast, blend, and espresso preparation details against this article’s flat white recipe, using the criteria in our coffee rating system. Research-rated, not yet brewed by our team.