Flambé, Flavor, and Fire: The Ultimate Easy Spanish Coffee Recipe with Bazan Coffee

If you’re looking to elevate your coffee ritual with a touch of European flair, few drinks match the dramatic, delicious experience of Spanish coffee. Often misunderstood as merely coffee with alcohol, true Spanish coffee is a layered, spiced, caramelized cocktail that balances heat, sweetness, and bold espresso. This guide delivers an easy Spanish coffee recipe that’s both accessible and impressive, perfect for cozy nights, entertaining guests, or celebrating great coffee especially when brewed with Bazan’s specialty Vietnamese beans.

Using insights, and mixology techniques, this article breaks down not just how, but why Spanish coffee works.

What Is Spanish Coffee?

What Is Spanish Coffee?

Spanish coffee is a rich, cocktail-style coffee drink originating from the American adaptation of a Spanish liqueur coffee, most famously served at Huber’s Cafe in Portland, Oregon. It typically involves:

  • Flambéed liqueur (usually rum or brandy)

  • Caramelized sugar rim

  • Strong brewed coffee or espresso

  • Coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)

  • Topped with whipped cream

The theatrical preparation aside, the drink’s structure reflects a deep sensory logic: combining alcohol’s heat and sweetness with coffee’s acidity and bitterness.

Easy Spanish Coffee Recipe (Home Edition)

Easy Spanish Coffee Recipe (Home Edition)

Yield: 1 drink

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 oz 151-proof rum (or dark rum for a safer flambé)

  • 1/2 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or homemade)

  • 1–2 oz strong Bazan espresso or coffee

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (for rim)

  • Lemon wedge (for rim)

  • Fresh whipped cream (lightly sweetened)

  • Optional: pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon

Equipment:

  • Heatproof glass (e.g., tempered wine glass or Irish coffee glass)

  • Long lighter or match

  • Espresso machine or moka pot

Instructions:

  1. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of your glass. Dip in brown sugar and coat generously.

  2. Add rum to the glass. Carefully ignite with a lighter. Swirl gently for 5–10 seconds to caramelize the sugar.

  3. Extinguish flame by adding coffee liqueur and hot Bazan coffee.

  4. Top with a spoonful of freshly whipped cream. Garnish with nutmeg or cinnamon if desired.

  5. Serve immediately. Stir gently if you prefer a blended flavor.

Pairing Notes: Why Bazan Coffee Works Best

Spanish coffee needs boldness and balance. The base coffee must stand up to sugar, cream, and alcohol while adding its own depth.

Fine Robusta – Krong Năng

Fine Robusta – Krong Năng

  • Roast: Medium-dark

  • Notes: Burnt caramel, cacao, tobacco

  • Why it works: Holds up to flambé, cuts through sweetness, enhances boozy notes

  • Best brew method: Espresso, moka pot, or phin filter

Special Vietnam Blend

Special Vietnam Blend

  • Roast: Medium

  • Notes: Chocolate, hazelnut, red fruits

  • Why it works: Smooth base for layered cocktails, blends seamlessly with Kahlúa

  • Best brew method: French press or espresso

Science of the Flambé: How It Affects Flavor

The caramelization of the sugar rim plus the brief burning of alcohol adds complexity to the drink. The Maillard reaction creates new aroma compounds (furans and pyrazines), which echo roasted coffee’s core flavor chemistry.

The brief flambé also reduces alcohol’s sharpness while concentrating aroma this aligns with heated alcohol can open up sensory channels similar to volatile coffee oils.

Expert Tips from Baristas and Bartenders

Use High-Fat Cream

Whipped cream should be lightly whipped not stiff to blend gently with hot coffee.

Brew Strong

Use a 1:2 espresso ratio or strong moka pot brew to avoid a diluted drink.

Homemade Coffee Liqueur Option:

Mix 1/2 cup brewed Bazan coffee + 1/2 cup vodka + 1/4 cup brown sugar + 1 tsp vanilla. Let rest for 24 hours before use.

Always Use Heatproof Glass

Regular glass will shatter with open flame. Use borosilicate or tempered glasses designed for high heat.

FAQs: Easy Spanish Coffee Recipe

Q1: Is flambéing necessary?
 No, but it enhances caramelization and aroma. If skipping, heat your liqueur gently and coat the rim with sugar using water or syrup.

Q2: Can I make this non-alcoholic?
 Yes. Use decaf Bazan coffee, omit rum and use coffee syrup or alcohol-free coffee liqueur.

Q3: Can I use dairy alternatives?
 Yes. Use coconut cream or oat-based whipped topping. Make sure it’s unsweetened for control.

Q4: Can I prepare a batch version?
 Yes. Multiply ingredients by 4, flambé in a saucepan, and pour into glasses individually.

Q5: How do I make whipped cream that doesn’t collapse?
 Whip with a chilled whisk and bowl. Add a pinch of cornstarch for structure.

Why Bazan Coffee Is the Ideal Base for Specialty Cocktails

Bazan’s coffees are grown in high-altitude regions of Vietnam, processed with natural or anaerobic methods to maximize body, and roasted for clarity and boldness. That makes them ideal for:

  • Coffee cocktails

  • Iced drinks and cold brew

  • Baking and infused syrups

In drinks like Spanish coffee where every element needs to be assertive yet harmonious Bazan provides the structure and flavor complexity other coffees simply can't.

Shop Bazan Coffee and Fire Up Your Cup

Ready to reimagine what your evening brew can be? Whether you’re making a showstopper cocktail or just want espresso that sings beneath cream, start with a bean that knows how to perform.

Visit our shop page to explore bold Robustas, balanced blends, and bright Arabicas crafted for both clarity and creativity.

Because your coffee deserves more than routine it deserves ritual. And Bazan helps you build it, sip by sip.

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