How to Make Greek-Roman Style Coffee Like They Do in Rome

In the heart of Rome, just steps from the Spanish Steps, sits Café Greco — a historic café where Goethe, Mark Twain, and Hans Christian Andersen once sipped. Locals and travelers alike still flock here, drawn not just by history, but by a unique coffee ritual that blends bold espresso-style coffee with citrus and fruit jam. Have you ever wondered how to make that distinctively Roman-Greek hybrid coffee yourself?

To make Greek-Roman style coffee, combine 8g of finely ground dark-roasted coffee with 100cc of water, a few scrapes of orange and lemon peel, then heat gently until boiling. Let it sit a minute before pouring into a cup and topping with a touch of orange marmalade. That’s the full method — simple, aromatic, and deeply Mediterranean.

What Is Greek-Roman Style Coffee?

Greek-Roman style coffee is a lesser-known but historically rich coffee preparation linked to Café Greco, a famous Roman café featured in the film Roman Holiday. It blends the strong, fine-brewed character of Near Eastern coffee with Italian sensibilities — particularly the Mediterranean habit of serving coffee alongside fruit or fruit preserves. The result? A spiced, citrus-accented cup that bridges cultures.

The Origins: Café Greco and Its Famous Patrons

Café Greco, whose name means “Greek Coffee,” is located near Rome’s Spanish Square. Since its heyday, it has hosted literary giants like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Mark Twain, as well as artist Giorgio de Chirico, who reportedly always sat in the same seat drinking the same drink. Established as a hub for artists and thinkers, it became a cultural landmark, recognized as a national heritage site in 1953. Today, visitors explore its halls looking for traces of history — and the unique coffee once enjoyed there.

What Makes This Coffee Different?

Unlike a standard espresso or Turkish coffee, Greek-Roman style coffee is brewed using a special method that combines fine dark coffee grounds with water, citrus peel, and a final flourish of orange marmalade. It’s not filtered in the usual sense — rather, it’s heated all together, then allowed to settle before serving. The addition of citrus rind and jam gives it a fragrant, slightly sweet complexity unlike most Italian coffees.

How to Make Greek-Roman Style Coffee at Home

Making this style of coffee is straightforward. Here’s the exact method used at Café Greco, adapted for your kitchen:

• Use 8g of finely ground dark-roast coffee (similar to an espresso grind but slightly finer).
• Add 100cc (about 100ml) of water.
• Include a small amount of orange peel and lemon peel — just a scrape or two from fresh fruit.
• Combine everything in a long-handled coffee pot (traditionally used for stovetop brewing).
• Place the pot over a flame and heat until the mixture comes to a boil.
• Once boiling, remove from heat and let it sit for about 1 minute to settle.
• Pour the coffee into a cup, and add a small spoonful of orange marmalade or orange fruit jam to finish.

The interplay of the bold coffee, the bright citrus notes from the peel, and the sweetness of the jam creates a layered, nostalgic drink that’s both stimulating and comforting.

Why Add Citrus Peel and Jam?

In the Mediterranean region — including both Greece and Italy — it’s common to pair coffee with fruit or fruit-based condiments. The addition of orange and lemon peel infuses the brew with aromatic oils that lift the coffee’s aroma. Meanwhile, the orange jam (or marmalade) adds a touch of sweetness and fruitiness that balances the intense roast flavor. It reflects a broader cultural habit where coffee isn’t just a drink, but part of a sensory experience.

What You’ll Need

• 8g finely ground dark roast coffee
• 100cc water
• Fresh orange peel (a small scrape)
• Fresh lemon peel (a small scrape)
• Orange marmalade or orange fruit jam (a small spoonful)
• Long-handled stovetop coffee pot (or similar small metal brewing vessel)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different coffee roast for Greek-Roman style coffee?

This recipe traditionally uses a dark roast, similar to what you’d use for espresso. A fine grind is essential to extract the strong, bold flavors needed to stand up to the citrus and jam. Avoid light roasts, as they may taste too acidic or grassy in this preparation.

Do I need a special pot to make this coffee?

Yes, ideally you’ll use a long-handled stovetop coffee pot — the type traditionally used in Mediterranean cooking. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it should allow you to heat the coffee, water, and peels together easily. A small metal saucepan can work in a pinch, though it won’t have the same aesthetic or traditional feel.

Why is citrus peel used in the brew?

The orange and lemon peel are not just for garnish — they’re boiled with the coffee to infuse the liquid with essential oils that add brightness and complexity. This technique is rooted in Mediterranean coffee customs, where citrus is often used to enhance the aroma of the brew.

Can I skip the orange jam?

Technically, you can, but the orange marmalade or jam is a key element that balances the intensity of the dark roast and the tartness of the citrus peel. It adds a slight sweetness and fruity depth that makes the drink more rounded and historically authentic.

Is this coffee similar to Turkish coffee?

It shares some similarities with Turkish coffee — namely the use of finely ground coffee and the lack of a paper filter. However, Greek-Roman style coffee includes citrus peel and is typically served with a spoonful of jam, which is uncommon in Turkish preparation. The flavor profile and cultural context are also distinct.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Greek-Roman Coffee

For this citrus-accented Roman-style brew, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Commercial Blend or Specialty Blend. Both offer a balanced medium-to-dark roast with enough body to complement the orange peel and marmalade. The Commercial Blend brings chocolate and nut notes with a smooth finish, while the Specialty Blend adds hints of caramel and red fruit for extra complexity. Either roast will hold up well to the bold flavors in this drink. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.