How to Make Fleming Coffee: A Dramatic Flaming Drink

If you’ve ever seen a bartender set fire to a lemon peel over a glass of coffee and pour flaming brandy into it, you’ve witnessed Fleming coffee—or as it’s also known, coffee inspired by Napoleon’s favorite drink, ‘Café Brûlot’ or ‘Café Brulot.’ This isn’t your average cup of joe. It’s a theatrical, multi-sensory drink combining hot coffee, sugar, brandy, and citrus, often served at gatherings for its bold flavors and dramatic presentation.

To make Fleming coffee, you’ll need hot coffee, white sugar, brandy, and a spiral-cut lemon peel. The entire process takes just a few minutes and involves igniting the brandy after layering it with sugar and coffee in a heatproof glass. It’s ideal for sharing with friends at dinner parties or special occasions.

What Is Fleming Coffee?

Fleming coffee is a flambeed coffee drink named after the French cocktail Café Brûlot, said to be a favorite of Napoleon. It combines hot black coffee, white sugar, brandy, and a twisted lemon peel. The drink is prepared tableside, with the brandy poured over the sugar and coffee mixture and then ignited, allowing the flames to gently infuse the drink with aroma while the brandy drips into the coffee.

Why This Drink Stands Out

This coffee drink is more than just a beverage—it’s an experience. The dramatic flambé effect, the citrusy aroma from the burning lemon peel, and the slow infusion of brandy into hot coffee create a rich, warming drink perfect for cold evenings or celebratory gatherings. Unlike regular coffee preparations, Fleming coffee engages sight, smell, and taste all at once.

What You’ll Need

• Hot black coffee (quantity unspecified in source, prepared in advance)
• White sugar (exact quantity not specified, but measured in advance)
• Brandy (poured into a deep cup beforehand)
• Spiral-cut lemon peel (prepared and soaked in brandy)

How to Make Fleming Coffee: Step by Step

1. Prepare a measure of hot black coffee in advance. The exact temperature or brew details are not given, but it should be freshly brewed and still hot.
2. In a heatproof glass or mug, combine a measured amount of white sugar with the hot coffee. Mix until the sugar dissolves or reaches your preferred sweetness level.
3. Pour brandy into a deep cup or heatproof glass. Add a spiral-cut lemon peel, allowing it to steep and infuse the brandy.
4. Ignite the brandy carefully. Ensure you’re in a safe environment away from flammable materials and with adult supervision.
5. Once lit, slowly pour the flaming brandy over the sugar and coffee mixture. Let the flames subside naturally. The brandy will drip into the coffee, infusing it with flavor.
6. Allow the lemon peel to remain in the drink briefly to continue releasing aroma before removing it.

Tips for the Best Results

• Use fresh lemon for the peel to get the best citrus aroma.
• Cut the lemon peel in a spiral to maximize the surface area and essential oil release.
• Always prioritize safety when working with an open flame—use long matches or a lighter and keep a damp cloth nearby.
• Serve immediately after preparation for the best sensory experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t use old or dried-out lemon peels—they won’t release enough aroma.
• Avoid pouring too much brandy at once, which can overpower the coffee or create excessive flames.
• Never leave the flaming drink unattended.
• Don’t prepare this drink without ensuring proper ventilation or in a space where open flames aren’t allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fleming coffee made of?

Fleming coffee is made with hot black coffee, white sugar, brandy, and a spiral-cut lemon peel. The brandy is ignited and poured over the coffee and sugar mixture, allowing it to drip in while releasing citrus aromas.

Do you need to flame the brandy in Fleming coffee?

Yes, the signature part of Fleming coffee is flaming the brandy. The brandy is poured over the lemon peel, ignited, and then poured into the coffee, creating a dramatic presentation and infusing the drink with flavor.

Can I make Fleming coffee without alcohol?

No, traditional Fleming coffee requires brandy. There is no non-alcoholic substitute that replicates both the flavor and the flambé effect. For a non-alcoholic version, you’d need to completely change the recipe.

What kind of coffee works best for Fleming coffee?

The source does not specify a coffee type, but a strong, balanced black coffee is ideal so it can stand up to the brandy and sugar. Darker roasts or classic espresso-based brews are commonly used in similar drinks.

Is Fleming coffee safe to make at home?

Yes, it is safe if you take proper precautions. Work in a well-ventilated area, keep flammable items away, and never leave the flame unattended. Use long matches and have a damp cloth ready to extinguish flames if needed.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Fleming Coffee

For Fleming coffee, choose a bold, balanced single origin or blend that can hold up to the richness of brandy. FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui offers bright citrus and floral notes that complement the lemon peel, while their Yirgacheffe delivers juicy acidity and berry-like tones. Alternatively, their Classic Blend provides a smooth, chocolatey base that contrasts nicely with the dram of flaming brandy. All three roast profiles are versatile enough for this theatrical drink. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.