How to Make Austrian Fiaker and Mexican Huasteco Coffee

If you’ve ever wondered how to recreate the rich, creamy Viennese coffee called Fiaker—or the strikingly colorful, layered Mexican Huasteco—this guide breaks down both drinks with exact measurements and techniques used in specialty coffee settings. These aren’t just random café recipes; they’re historically rooted drinks with precise ratios and presentation styles that matter.

The Fiaker uses 120cc of dark roast coffee topped with 20cc of stirred cream; the Huasteco layers 75cc dark coffee, 75cc milk foam, 10cc pomegranate juice, and 20cc green mint liqueur for a four-tone patriotic effect.

What Is Fiaker Coffee?

Fiaker coffee, known in German as “Fiakerkaffee,” translates literally to “coachman’s coffee.” This Viennese classic was historically enjoyed by horse carriage drivers—hence the name—and remains a staple of Viennese coffeehouse culture. It consists of a shot of strong, dark roasted coffee poured into a cup and topped with a float of stirred cream. Optional sugar can be added, often served on the side. Presentation is traditional: the coffee is brought out on a tray with a cup mat, a small glass of syrup, and a spoon.

How to Make Fiaker Coffee

To prepare Fiaker coffee the traditional way:

• Brew 120cc of dark roasted coffee (typically a full city or darker roast profile).
• Pour the hot coffee into a cup.
• Gently float 20cc of stirred (not whipped) cream on top of the coffee.
• Serve on a tray with a cup mat, optional sugar syrup, and a spoon, as is customary in Vienna.

Note: While Japanese-style “Vienna coffee” often uses a handled cup, the authentic Viennese method emphasizes the tray service and separate syrup.

What Is Huasteco Coffee?

Huasteco coffee, also known in Spanish as “Café Huasteco,” originates from Mexico and is named after the Huastec people, an indigenous group also associated culturally with the broader Aztec heritage. This layered coffee drink is visually striking, designed to mimic the colors of the Mexican flag—red, white, and green—along with brown from the coffee. It combines dark coffee, pomegranate juice, green mint liqueur, and milk foam for a patriotic presentation and complex flavor.

How to Make Huasteco Coffee

To build the Huasteco coffee with its signature layered look:

• In a glass, combine 10cc of pomegranate juice and 20cc of green mint liqueur.
• Gently spoon 75cc of milk foam on top to form a base layer.
• Using a spoon held against the inside edge of the glass, slowly pour 75cc of dark roasted coffee over the back of the spoon so it floats atop the milk foam, creating distinct layers.

The finished drink should show clear red (pomegranate), green (mint liqueur), white (milk foam), and brown (coffee) layers when viewed from the side. This visual effect is part of the drink’s cultural appeal.

Coffee Roast and Ingredients Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the traditional way to serve Fiaker coffee?

Fiaker coffee is traditionally served on a tray that includes a cup mat, the coffee cup, a small glass of syrup, and a spoon. This Viennese presentation reflects the drink’s historical roots in coffeehouses where coachmen gathered.

Can I use whipped cream instead of stirred cream for Fiaker coffee?

The original recipe calls for stirred cream—cream that has been mixed to soften its texture—floated on top of the coffee. Whipped cream is not traditional, though some modern variations may allow it; for authenticity, stick with stirred cream.

Why does Huasteco coffee have four layers?

Huasteco is designed to resemble the colors of the Mexican flag and cultural identity. The layers—pomegranate juice (red), green mint liqueur (green), milk foam (white), and coffee (brown)—are carefully poured to maintain separation, creating a visual tribute to Mexico’s flag and the Huastec heritage.

What kind of milk foam is used in Huasteco coffee?

The recipe specifies 75cc of milk foam—this is typically steamed milk that has been frothed to a light, airy consistency, not stiff whipped cream. The foam acts as the middle layer to separate the liqueur and juice from the coffee.

Is green mint liqueur essential for Huasteco coffee?

Yes, the 20cc of green mint liqueur is a core ingredient in the traditional recipe. It provides both flavor and the green layer visible in the drink’s layered presentation. Substituting it may alter both taste and appearance.

Do I need special equipment to make these coffee drinks?

No special equipment is required beyond standard coffee brewing tools. For Huasteco, a spoon is used to layer the coffee over the foam, and for Fiaker, a cup and tray are used for traditional service. A milk frother or steam wand helps produce the milk foam needed for Huasteco.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Layered Coffee Drinks

For both Fiaker and Huasteco coffee, we recommend FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright acidity and floral notes, which cut through the cream and liqueur; FrontStreet’s Guatemala Antigua for a balanced medium-dark roast with chocolate and spice that holds up in layered drinks; and FrontStreet’s Classic Blend for a consistent, bold dark roast ideal for Fiaker’s traditional profile. All three beans are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.