How to Make Fleming Coffee: A Flaming Lemon Brandy Dessert Drink

Fancy impressing guests at your next dinner party with a dramatic, flaming coffee drink? Fleming Coffee—also known as Café Brûlot or Café Brulot—is a classic French-style dessert coffee known for its theatrical preparation. Named after Napoleon’s favourite, it combines hot coffee, sugar, brandy, and a spiraled lemon peel set aflame for a showstopping presentation.

To make Fleming Coffee, you’ll combine 1–2 teaspoons of sugar with hot coffee in a heatproof cup, then carefully pour brandy over a spiraled lemon peel in a separate vessel, ignite it, and let the flaming brandy slowly drip into the coffee. That’s the whole ritual—and it takes just minutes.

What Is Fleming Coffee?

Fleming Coffee is a flamboyant, flame-lit coffee drink traditionally made with hot coffee, sugar, brandy, and a twist of lemon peel. Its name references the French café drinks Café Brûlot or Café Brulot, which were favourites of Napoleon. The drink is known for its dramatic preparation: a spiraled lemon peel soaked in brandy is set on fire, and the flaming spirit drips into sweetened hot coffee. It’s as much a performance as it is a beverage.

Why This Drink Stands Out

This coffee isn’t just about flavour—it’s about theatre. The flaming brandy creates an aromatic, smoky spectacle, while the spiraled lemon peel infuses the drink with citrus oils as it melts into the mix. The combination of coffee, citrus, sugar, and alcohol makes it a rich, warming after-dinner drink perfect for gatherings. Though it includes alcohol, the flame burns off much of the actual booze, leaving behind the essential oils and aroma.

How to Make Fleming Coffee: Step-by-Step

Making Fleming Coffee is straightforward but requires careful handling of fire. Here’s the classic method using precise measurements and steps:

• Prepare 1–2 teaspoons of sugar and have it ready in a heatproof coffee cup.
• Pour hot coffee into the cup—just enough to dissolve the sugar. Let it sit until the sugar dissolves fully.
• In a separate heatproof container (traditionally a stemmed glass or small bowl), add about 30ml (1 fl oz) of brandy.
• Add a spiraled lemon peel to the brandy—twist it tightly to hold its shape and ensure it absorbs the spirit.
• Place the container with brandy and lemon peel directly over a flame (using a long match or lighter) and ignite the brandy.
• Once lit, carefully position the flaming brandy over your cup of sweetened coffee and let the brandy slowly drip into the coffee. The lemon oils will infuse the drink as the flame burns out.
• Serve immediately while warm and aromatic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t skip pre-dissolving the sugar in the coffee—it ensures smooth mixing once the brandy hits. Avoid using too much brandy or lighting it too close to flammable surfaces. Don’t let the flame burn too long after the dripping slows, as it may overpower the drink’s aroma. And never leave the flaming brandy unattended.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fleming Coffee made of?

Fleming Coffee is made with hot coffee, sugar, brandy, and a spiraled lemon peel. The sugar is dissolved in the coffee first, then brandy is poured over the lemon peel, ignited, and allowed to drip into the coffee.

Do you drink the alcohol in Fleming Coffee?

Most of the alcohol burns off during the flaming process, but some flavourful brandy essence remains. The drink is lightly alcoholic but primarily enjoyed for its aroma and taste.

Can I use any type of alcohol for Fleming Coffee?

Traditionally, brandy is used because of its strong citrus-friendly aroma and high flammability. Other spirits like cognac can work, but avoid low-proof alcohols that won’t ignite well.

Is Fleming Coffee a real coffee drink?

Yes, it’s a real dessert-style coffee drink that combines brewed coffee with citrus, sugar, and alcohol. It’s known in France as Café Brûlot and is often served as a theatrical after-dinner treat.

What kind of lemon peel should I use?

Use a fresh lemon to create a tight spiral peel. The peel should be oily and aromatic—this is what infuses the drink with citrus as it drips into the coffee.

Can I make Fleming Coffee without fire?

You can, but it won’t have the same dramatic effect. Simply warm the brandy gently and pour it over the lemon peel into the coffee without igniting it.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Fleming Coffee

Pair Fleming Coffee with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright citrus and floral notes, or their Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and lemon zest undertones that complement the lemon peel and brandy. Alternatively, try the Classic Blend for a balanced medium roast with caramel sweetness that works well with the sugary, boozy profile. These beans highlight the citrus and spice elements of the drink. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.