How to Make Martha’s Coffee Step by Step

Looking for a coffee that breaks every rule—bold, bitter, boozy, and strangely unforgettable? Martha’s Coffee isn’t your typical cup. Born (according to legend) from a gesture of kindness during wartime, this layered drink mixes hot coffee, warm red wine, citrus, and spice into something polarizing: people either love it or hate it. If you’ve heard of it and want to try making it yourself, or you’re just curious how coffee and wine can coexist in one cup, here’s the real way to do it, fact by fact.

Make Martha’s Coffee with 28ml hot coffee, 28ml warm red wine, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 lemon slice. Layer coffee first, then wine, add lemon and cinnamon. Don’t let the lemon soak and serve wine warm, not hot.

What Is Martha’s Coffee?

Martha’s Coffee is a layered drink combining black coffee and red wine, finished with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick. Its flavor profile is intense: bitter, acidic, slightly sweet, and spiced. It’s not a latte, not a flat white, and definitely not a dessert coffee. It’s an old story in a cup—reportedly created by an Arab soldier in Algeria who was revived by a woman named Martha and later named the drink in her honor. Whether the tale is true doesn’t matter. What does matter is that this is one of the few coffee drinks that intentionally includes alcohol and citrus, resulting in a complex, divisive taste.

Why This Coffee Mix Works (or Doesn’t)

The appeal—or shock—of Martha’s Coffee comes from its ingredient contrast. Hot black coffee provides bitterness and caffeine, while warm red wine adds acidity, tannins, and a slight sweetness. Lemon brings sharp citrus brightness, and cinnamon contributes warmth and spice. Together, they create a layered drink that’s aromatic, spicy, and sharply flavored. Some drinkers love the clash; others find it overwhelming. There’s no middle ground. It’s often compared to a coffee cocktail, though it’s not shaken or chilled. The drink is served immediately and meant to be experienced as a whole—not sipped slowly like traditional espresso or filtered coffee.

Martha’s Coffee Ingredients & Tools

To make Martha’s Coffee exactly as intended, you’ll need these specific components:

• 28ml hot black coffee
• 28ml warm red wine
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 lemon slice

No milk, no sugar, no espresso machine required. The original recipe calls for equal parts by volume: 28ml coffee and 28ml wine. A standard demitasse or small coffee cup works best. A cinnamon stick is used both as flavoring and, optionally, as a stirring tool. The lemon slice is added last and should not sit in the drink for long.

How to Make Martha’s Coffee: Step by Step

Follow these steps in order to replicate the traditional version of Martha’s Coffee:

1. Start with coffee: Brew 28ml of black coffee using your preferred method (the original doesn’t specify brew style, so any hot black coffee works). Pour it into your serving cup first.
2. Add wine: Warm 28ml of red wine (do not boil). Slowly pour the warm wine over the coffee so it floats or layers slightly—though in practice, the liquids will combine. The 1:1 ratio is essential.
3. Add flavor and aroma: Drop in 1 cinnamon stick. You can use it to stir gently if desired. The cinnamon enhances warmth and complexity.
4. Top with lemon: Place 1 thin slice of lemon on the surface. The citrus adds a bright contrast. Remove the lemon slice shortly after serving—it should not steep in the drink.

Serve immediately. The wine should be warm, not hot, and the coffee should be freshly brewed and hot. Do not let the lemon soak for long—it will over-bitter the cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Martha’s Coffee supposed to taste like?

Martha’s Coffee tastes like a mix of bitter coffee, acidic red wine, sharp lemon, and warm cinnamon. It’s spicy, bold, and layered. Most tasters detect coffee bitterness first, followed by wine tannins, then citrus zest, and finally cinnamon spice. It’s intentionally an intense, polarizing drink.

Do I have to use red wine?

Yes, according to the original recipe. Red wine is essential for the flavor balance. The recipe specifies 28ml of red wine, warmed but not boiled, and used in equal proportion to the coffee. Substituting with another alcohol will change the taste significantly.

Can I use a different type of coffee?

The original recipe doesn’t specify coffee origin or roast level. Any standard black coffee (28ml) will work, as long as it’s hot. There’s no mention of espresso, filter, or brew method—just that it’s coffee in a 1:1 ratio with wine.

Is Martha’s Coffee an alcoholic drink?

Yes, it contains 28ml of red wine, so it’s mildly alcoholic. It’s not a coffee cocktail in the shaken sense, but it does mix coffee with an alcoholic beverage. Drink responsibly and be aware of the wine content.

Why is there lemon in this coffee drink?

Lemon is used to add a bright, acidic contrast to the richness of the coffee and wine. Just one slice is added on top, and it should be removed quickly—it’s not meant to infuse or steep in the cup.

Can I make Martha’s Coffee without alcohol?

The original recipe requires red wine. There’s no official non-alcoholic version documented in the source. Removing the wine would fundamentally change the intended flavor balance.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Spiced or Wine-Accented Coffee

For a coffee that plays well with wine, spice, and citrus like in Martha’s Coffee, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright lemon and floral tones, Guatemala Antigua for deep chocolate and mild wine-like acidity, or Sumatra Mandheling for earthy spice notes. Each brings complexity that balances the layered flavors in this unique drink. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.