Napoleon’s Coffee Obsession and Vienna’s Coffee Ban

In 1790s Paris, a short, stocky young officer walked into the famous Procope Café—but couldn’t pay his bill. The waiter took his military cap as collateral, little knowing he’d just detained the future Emperor Napoleon. That same officer would go on to wage wars, reshape Europe, and develop a famously unusual coffee habit.

Napoleon drank coffee with a few drops of brandy and lemon juice—not for taste, but for the effects of alcohol. He also insisted on having a personal attendant, George Francis, brew his coffee while campaigning. After his exile, Francis opened a café in Paris serving what became known as “Napoleon Coffee.”

Napoleon’s Early Coffee Haunts in Paris

Before rising to power, Napoleon was a regular at Paris’s Regency Café, famed for its chess culture. Though not a strong player, he loved the game, often complaining, “It’s not precise enough to be a science, but too hard to be just a game.” His favored copper-rimmed chess table is still preserved there today.

George Francis and the Birth of 'Napoleon Coffee'

Napoleon was so dependent on coffee that he always called for “George, coffee!”—leading to the term “George Coffee” as a shorthand for high-quality brews in court circles. After Napoleon’s exile to Elba, his attendant George Francis opened the “Café George” in Paris. There, he launched a unique “Napoleon Coffee,” capitalizing on the emperor’s fame. This wasn’t just marketing—it reflected the strong link between the leader and his coffee ritual.

Napoleon’s Unusual Coffee Recipe

Napoleon disliked milk and found its smell nauseating. Instead of adding milk, he spiked his coffee with brandy and lemon juice. This explains his remark that coffee gave him “energy, warmth, extraordinary strength, and made pain vanish”—most likely the result of alcohol, not caffeine alone.

The Coffee Conflict in Vienna

In 1805, Napoleon captured Vienna and moved into Empress Maria Theresa’s bedroom at Schönbrunn Palace, even marrying an Austrian princess. Locals, powerless against the occupation, expressed resentment symbolically—some coffeehouse waiters dressed as Napoleonic soldiers to serve customers, a passive form of mockery.

The 1810 Vienna Coffee Ban

War disrupted coffee supplies, causing prices to soar. Some Viennese cafés resorted to serving a root-based “coffee substitute,” but it failed to satisfy patrons. The Austrian government, fearing political dissent, further restricted coffeehouses—banning political books and allowing only official newspapers. By early 1810, they issued a full Coffee Sales Ban.

Vienna Reacts to the Ban

Without coffee, Vienna’s coffeehouses turned into casual eateries, selling wine and hot meals. The public was furious. When the ban ended in 1814 after Napoleon’s fall, Viennese citizens rushed to buy coffee in chaotic street scenes. People fought over beans—some even suffered injuries—such was their relief at reclaiming their coffee ritual.

Post-Ban Coffee Culture in Vienna

With coffee back, Viennese drinkers added milk, cream, milkshakes, and sugar—habits that persist today. Ironically, this sweet, milky style stood in stark contrast to Napoleon’s bitter, boozy preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Napoleon put in his coffee?

Napoleon added a few drops of brandy and lemon juice to his coffee. He disliked milk and avoided it. This unusual mix likely gave him a slight alcohol buzz, which he mistook for the coffee’s energizing effects.

Why did Napoleon call coffee 'George Coffee'?

Napoleon always shouted “George, coffee!” to his attendant, George Francis, who brewed his coffee. Courtiers began calling high-quality coffee “George Coffee,” which later became associated with Napoleon himself.

What happened to Vienna’s coffeehouses during the ban?

During the 1810 coffee ban, Vienna’s cafés stopped serving real coffee and sold wine, food, or fake substitutes instead. The city’s coffee culture was disrupted until the ban ended in 1814.

Where did Napoleon drink coffee in Paris?

Napoleon frequented the Procope Café and the Regency Café in Paris. At the Regency, he played chess and left behind a preserved copper-rimmed chess table still on display today.

Why did the Austrians hate Napoleon so much?

Austrians were angry over Napoleon’s occupation, including his move into Schönbrunn Palace and his marriage to an Austrian princess. Some coffeehouse workers mocked him by dressing as Napoleonic soldiers.

When was the Vienna coffee ban lifted?

The coffee ban in Vienna was lifted in 1814, following Napoleon’s defeat and abdication. The city quickly returned to its vibrant coffeehouse culture.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for History Lovers

Revisit Napoleonic-era intensity with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera, offering bright citrus and floral tones that echo the emperor’s lemon-laced brews. For a deeper, brandy-like profile, try their PWN Golden Mandheling with its heavy body and spicy sweetness. Or explore Yirgacheffe for a wine-like acidity that pairs well with stories of Vienna’s post-ban coffee chaos. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.