How to Make Ambrosia and Anisette Coffee at Home

If you’ve ever wondered how to recreate those rich, theatrical coffee drinks from old-school American lounges—complete with flamed sugar and herbal liqueurs—this guide walks you through two traditional recipes with exact measurements and methods. These drinks combine coffee with spirits, spices, and theater, delivering bold flavor and a touch of showmanship.

Ambrosia Coffee uses 150cc of medium-dark roasted coffee, 10cc Italian sweet liqueur, 10cc brandy, a sprinkle of ginger powder, 20cc of flambé-grade brandy, and one sugar cube. Anisette Coffee combines 100cc dark roast coffee with 20cc anise-flavored liqueur and tops it with 20cc lightly whipped cream. Both are easy to make once you know the steps—and the precise amounts.

What Is Ambrosia Coffee?

Ambrosia Coffee, meaning “immortality” in Greek, is a rich, spiced coffee drink from the United States. It combines brewed coffee with Italian sweet liqueur, brandy, and a flambéed sugar cube for a dramatic presentation and deep, warming flavors. The coffee base is slightly dark roasted—about 150cc—and enhanced with 10cc of Italian sweet liqueur and 10cc of brandy. A pinch of ginger powder adds warmth, while 20cc of high-proof brandy is ignited for effect.

How to Make Ambrosia Coffee Step by Step

To prepare Ambrosia Coffee, start by pouring 150cc of slightly dark roasted coffee into a mug or heatproof glass. Add 10cc of Italian sweet liqueur and 10cc of brandy, then sprinkle a small amount of ginger powder on top. Next, pour 20cc of high-proof (flambé-ready) brandy into a spoon balanced on the rim of the cup, place a sugar cube on the spoon, and carefully ignite the brandy. Let the flame burn out, then gently stir the drink with the spoon to integrate the caramelized sugar. Serve immediately.

What Is Anisette Coffee?

Anisette Coffee, or Cafe Anisette, is a classic American after-dinner coffee drink featuring dark roast coffee and anise-flavored liqueur. It’s typically served with a float of lightly whipped cream on top. The drink calls for 100cc of dark roasted coffee and 20cc of anise liqueur—commonly known as anisette or white absinthe—which lends a subtle licorice note. It’s completed with 20cc of stirred or softly whipped cream layered over the top.

How to Make Anisette Coffee

To make Anisette Coffee, pour 20cc of anise liqueur directly into your serving cup. Add 100cc of dark roasted coffee, then float 20cc of stirred cream or lightly whipped cream on top. The anise liqueur—also called white absinthe—adds a digestive benefit and a distinctive herbal finish, making this a favored digestif-style coffee in formal dinner settings.

Flavor Notes and Pairing Insights

Ambrosia Coffee delivers a bold, spiced profile with warming ginger, caramelized sugar, and a balance of brandy and Italian liqueur. It pairs well with dense desserts or is enjoyed as a standalone evening drink. Anisette Coffee has a herbal, slightly sweet anise note from the liqueur, complemented by the richness of dark coffee and the smoothness of cream. It’s often served as a post-meal digestif.

Frequently Asked Questions

What roast level is best for Ambrosia Coffee?

A slightly dark roasted coffee is used for Ambrosia Coffee—around 150cc in volume. This roast level provides a balanced bitterness and body that complements the strong flavors of the liquors and ginger spice.

Can I use any type of brandy for the flambé in Ambrosia Coffee?

No, you need a high-proof, flambé-grade brandy (about 20cc) for safely igniting. The brandy must be suitable for flaming, typically over 40% ABV, to sustain a flame long enough for the sugar to caramelize.

What is anisette liqueur and where can I find it?

Anisette is a sweet anise- or licorice-flavored liqueur, sometimes referred to as white absinthe. It's commonly available in liquor stores and is essential for making authentic Anisette Coffee. It provides the signature herbal note in the drink.

Should the cream for Anisette Coffee be whipped or just stirred?

The original recipe calls for stirred or lightly whipped cream—about 20cc—to float on top. It does not need to be heavily whipped, just smooth enough to form a layer.

Why is ginger powder used in Ambrosia Coffee?

A small amount of ginger powder is sprinkled into Ambrosia Coffee to add a warming spice note. It complements the brandy and Italian sweet liqueur, enhancing the drink’s overall depth and aroma.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Flavored Coffee Drinks

For Ambrosia and Anisette coffee drinks, choose FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend—a traditional Italian-style mix using Indonesian Mandheling, Brazilian Red Bourbon, and Vietnamese washed beans. It delivers low-acid, balanced body with notes of nut, spice, and dark chocolate, ideal for standing up to liqueurs. Alternatively, try the Strawberry Candy Espresso blend, which has sweet berry and candy-like tones from its medium roast of Colombian, Costa Rican, and Ethiopian beans, adding fruitiness to spice-laced drinks. For a darker option, the Black Cocoa Blend combines Yunnan and Brazilian beans for notes of cocoa, nuts, and smooth roastiness. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.