7 Classic Specialty Coffee Cocktails You Should Try

If you’ve ever wandered into a Chinese coffeehouse and seen a menu item like ‘’ or ‘,’ you might have wondered: What exactly is in these drinks? Far from your usual latte or americano, these are classic sweet, boozy, or creamy coffee creations with deep roots in Chinese café culture—often served in decades-old coffee shops and still enjoyed today. They mix coffee with everything from liquor and eggs to ice cream and spices. But what makes each one unique? And how do you make them right?

There are at least seven well-known traditional coffee drinks in China, each with exact ingredients: rum, egg yolk, chocolate, ice cream, or flavored syrup. Popular examples include (liqueur coffee with orange peel), (egg yolk and deep roast blend), and (ice coffee with vanilla ice cream and mint liqueur). Each specifies precise measurements—like 10ml of red orange peel liqueur or 80°C coffee—and preparation steps such as tempering egg mixtures or layering creams.

What Is (Drunken Coffee)?

This is a simple yet indulgent warm coffee cocktail. Start with an 80% full cup of hot coffee, then add 10ml of red orange peel liqueur. Next, float a layer of fresh cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon. Finish with a dusting of ground cinnamon and finely chopped orange peel. The result is smooth, sweet, and aromatic—with booziness balanced by citrus and spice.

How to Make (Egg Yolk Coffee)

In a saucepan, whisk together one fresh egg yolk, 10ml of fresh cream, and 300ml of milk until smooth. Gradually add 150ml of 80°C dark roasted coffee (such as FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling, which offers low acidity and heavy body). Stir continuously over heat without letting it boil. Once removed from heat, pour into a cup and sprinkle with a bit of chocolate powder. The egg yolk emulsifies into a custardy texture, adding richness to the deep, bitter roast.

Why Try (Maple-Infused Iced Coffee)?

This is a chilled coffee dessert best made with a pure single-origin brew, such as Mandheling or Italian-style roast. First, brew a strong cup using a moka pot and pour it into a U-shaped glass. Submerge the glass in an ice-water bath to rapidly cool and lock in aroma. Add a few drops of maple syrup, stir thoroughly, then top with thick whipped cream. Finish with a sprinkle of chocolate powder. It’s ideal as a romantic treat, balancing bitter coffee with sweet cream and maple.

What’s in (Rum-Sweetened Black Coffee)?

Brew a standard black coffee and pour it into a cup until it’s 80% full. Add two tablespoons of granulated sugar and then drizzle in 2–3 drops of rum. That’s it. This drink highlights the interplay of bitter roast, sugary sweetness, and the smooth warmth of rum. It’s thick, sweet, and aromatic—best enjoyed as a digestif or evening pick-me-up.

Why Would You Drink (Sunset Coffee with Ice Cream)?

This theatrical iced coffee features layered flavors and textures. Start with a 70% full glass of iced coffee. Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Remove the egg white from a raw egg, then place just the yolk on the ice cream. Finally, pour 30g of green mint liqueur over the yolk so it mixes in. The drink is slightly wild in flavor, with the herbal mint, creamy egg, and cold coffee creating a bold combination. It’s an acquired taste—but visually striking and unusual.

How to Prepare (Lemon Brandy Coffee)

Brew your coffee as normal and pour it into a cup. Add 30g of brandy directly to the brewed coffee. Float a thin slice of fresh lemon on the surface. Also known as ‘,’ this drink fuses coffee’s bitterness, lemon’s brightness, and brandy’s warmth. The citrus note cuts through the richness, making it refreshing yet boozy—a great digestif or afternoon lift.

What’s (Internet Café Coffee)?

This high-energy blend is designed for late-night coders and gamers. Brew a large batch of coffee using a moka pot with Colombian or Brazilian beans. Combine it with pre-made coffee ice cubes, instant coffee whitener (or light cream), and honey or syrup. Blend everything together until smooth. The result is a thick, sweet, energizing coffee milkshake that replenishes blood sugar during long sessions. While not refined, it’s effective and deeply comforting.

Bean Notes & Brewing Background

Many of these drinks use dark or medium-dark roasted coffee for boldness and body. For example, FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling is a hand-selected, low-acid deep roast with herbal spice and chocolate notes. Their Brazil Queen Manor offers nutty and cacao tones with soft fruit. For an alternative, Colombia Huila provides balance with black cherry and caramel. These beans suit different styles—from boozy warmers to iced layered drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is and how do you make it?

, or Drunken Coffee, is a warm coffee drink with 10ml of red orange peel liqueur added to an 80% full cup of hot coffee. It’s topped with freshly whipped cream, then sprinkled with cinnamon and chopped orange peel. The drink is sweet, aromatic, and lightly boozy.

How do you prepare ?

, or Egg Yolk Coffee, combines one egg yolk, 10ml cream, 300ml milk, and 150ml of 80°C dark roast coffee. Stir the mixture in a pan without boiling, then pour into a cup and dust with chocolate powder. The yolk creates a rich, custard-like texture.

What’s the best coffee roast for ?

, or Maple-Iced Coffee, works best with a strong single-origin brew like Mandheling or Italian-style roast. The recipe involves rapid ice bathing of moka pot coffee, adding maple syrup, whipped cream, and chocolate powder for a chilled dessert drink.

What alcohol is used in ?

, or Roman Black Coffee, uses 2–3 drops of rum along with two tablespoons of sugar in a standard cup of black coffee. It’s a sweet, warming, and boozy drink with a thick mouthfeel.

Can you make without egg?

The original includes a raw egg yolk layered over vanilla ice cream and poured with 30g of green mint liqueur. Omitting the egg yolk would change the texture and flavor profile significantly, but it could be adapted if desired.

Is alcoholic?

Yes, , also called , contains 30g of brandy mixed into brewed coffee and is topped with a lemon slice. It’s a boozy, citrus-accented coffee drink with both sweet and sour notes.

What is made of?

is a blended drink made with moka pot coffee (Colombian or Brazilian), coffee ice cubes, milk whitener or light cream, and syrup or honey. It’s designed to be thick, sweet, and energizing—ideal for long work or gaming sessions.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Cocktails

For traditional coffee cocktails, try FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling—a low-acid, deep-roasted Indonesian single origin with herbal spice, chocolate, and toast notes. Its heavy body complements liquors and creams in drinks like and . Alternatively, Brazil Queen Manor offers nutty and cacao flavors with a silky mouthfeel, ideal for iced or sweetened blends. For bright acidity with body, Colombia Huila brings black cherry and caramel, balancing cocktails like . Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.