5 Classic French-Style Coffee Drinks You Should Try

If you’ve ever wondered how the French take their coffee—especially when they’re not drinking it plain—you’re not alone. From apple brandy to orange liqueur, classic French-style coffee drinks mix spirits and espresso-style brews in distinctive ways. These aren’t your usual lattes or macchiatos. They’re bold, often boozy, and steeped in café culture.

Here are five traditional French coffee drinks with exact measurements and methods: Cafe Calvados (75cc coffee + 20cc apple brandy), Cafe Grand Marnier (100cc coffee + 20cc Grand Marnier + 20cc cream), Cafe Creme (75cc coffee + 40cc milk foam), Cafe Gloria (100cc coffee + 20cc brandy + 1 sugar cube + orange peel), and Cafe Cointreau (100cc coffee + 20cc Cointreau + 20cc cream).

What Is Cafe Calvados?

Cafe Calvados is a classic French coffee drink that combines strong brewed coffee with apple brandy. It uses 75cc of dark-roasted coffee and 20cc of Calvados, an apple-based brandy. The coffee is served in a cup, while the apple brandy is poured into a separate glass. Traditionally, drinkers alternate sips between the two. This pairing is especially popular among French men and was even featured in the film Casablanca. It’s commonly enjoyed in Parisian bars after a long day.

Cafe Grand Marnier: Coffee with Orange Liqueur and Cream

Cafe Grand Marnier is a French and British favorite that blends 100cc of dark-roasted coffee with 20cc of Grand Marnier, an orange-flavored liqueur. It’s topped with 20cc of stirred cream. To prepare, pour the Grand Marnier into the cup first, then add the coffee, and finish with a layer of whipped cream on top. This drink is often enjoyed as a dessert coffee or after-dinner treat. It’s especially common in both France and the UK.

The Classic Cafe Creme (Petit Tasse)

Cafe Creme, or petit tasse, is a small, milky coffee beloved by women in French cafes. It consists of 75cc of dark-roasted coffee and 40cc of foamed milk. The coffee is poured into the cup first, followed by the milk foam. This drink is small, inexpensive, and known for its smooth, mild flavor. Despite shifts in terminology over time, it remains a staple in French coffee culture—especially in bars and casual settings.

Cafe Gloria: A Dramatic Brandy Coffee

Cafe Gloria is a theatrical yet simplified version of a luxury coffee, popular in both France and the US. It uses 100cc of slightly dark-roasted coffee, 20cc of brandy, one sugar cube, and a bit of orange peel. The process starts by warming the cup, then adding the sugar cube and orange peel. Hot brandy is poured over them and lit until it produces a blue flame. Once the flame dies down, the coffee is poured in. It’s ideal for a small, dramatic post-meal coffee moment.

Cafe Cointreau: Coffee with Orange Liqueur and Whipped Cream

Cafe Cointreau is a French coffee recipe that includes 100cc of dark-roasted coffee, 20cc of Cointreau (a French orange liqueur), and 20cc of stirred cream. To make it, pour the coffee and Cointreau into the cup, then top with the whipped cream. Cointreau is a white orange liqueur from western France, and this combination is especially common in Parisian cafes around Montparnasse. It’s a straightforward yet flavorful way to enjoy coffee with a sweet, citrus twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cafe Calvados and how is it served?

Cafe Calvados is a French coffee drink made with 75cc of dark-roasted coffee and 20cc of apple brandy (Calvados). The coffee is served in a cup and the apple brandy in a separate glass. Drinkers typically alternate between sips of each. It’s especially associated with French male drinkers and was featured in the film Casablanca.

What’s the difference between Cafe Grand Marnier and Cafe Cointreau?

Both are French coffee drinks with liqueur and cream, but Cafe Grand Marnier uses 20cc of Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored liqueur) with 100cc coffee and 20cc cream, while Cafe Cointreau uses 20cc of Cointreau (a white orange liqueur) with 100cc coffee and 20cc cream. Both are topped with stirred cream, but the liqueurs have distinct flavor profiles.

How is Cafe Gloria prepared?

Cafe Gloria is made with 100cc of slightly dark-roasted coffee, 20cc of brandy, one sugar cube, and a little orange peel. The sugar and peel are placed in the cup, hot brandy is added and lit until it flames blue, then the coffee is poured in. It’s a dramatic and flavorful post-meal coffee drink popular in France and the US.

What is Cafe Creme and who drinks it?

Cafe Creme, also called petit tasse, is a small French coffee with 75cc of dark roast and 40cc of foamed milk. It’s served by pouring coffee first, then milk foam. It’s popular among women in French cafes for being inexpensive and mild. The name varies over time, but it remains a classic choice.

Can I use other brandies or liqueurs in these recipes?

These recipes specify particular spirits—apple brandy (Calvados), Grand Marnier, Cointreau, and regular brandy—for authenticity. While substitutions are possible, they will alter the intended flavor profile that defines each classic French coffee drink.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for French-Style Coffee Drinks

For these French-style coffee recipes, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright acidity and floral notes, or their Brazil Queen Manor for a heavier body and nutty sweetness that pairs well with liqueurs. For milk-based versions like Cafe Creme, FrontStreet’s Classic Blend offers a balanced roast with caramel and milk chocolate tones. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.