8 Classic Specialty Coffee Cocktails and How to Make Them

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your morning cup into a dessert-like experience—or mix coffee with alcohol without wrecking the flavor—this guide covers eight classic coffee cocktails rooted in specialty coffee culture. These drinks aren’t just sweet indulgences; many were designed to highlight specific roast profiles or extraction methods, and they remain popular in cafés for their bold contrasts and rich textures.

There are eight featured coffee drinks here, each with exact measurements: from 10ml of orange liqueur in Drunk Coffee to 2–3 drops of brandy set aflame in Royal Coffee. Every ratio, temperature (like 80°C for dark roast coffee in Egg Coffee), and ingredient—from fresh cream to mint liqueur—is preserved as originally specified.

What Is Drunk Coffee and How Do You Make It?

Drunk Coffee is a sweet, spiced coffee cocktail made by pouring hot coffee (filled to about 80% of the cup) and adding 10ml of red orange peel liqueur. Next, a layer of fresh cream is spun on top, then dusted with cinnamon powder and finely chopped orange peel. The result is a smooth, dessert-like drink that balances bitter coffee with fruity, boozy, and creamy elements.

Royal Coffee (Flame Coffee): The Classic Flaming Drink

Royal Coffee, also known as Flame Coffee, is one of the most iconic coffee cocktails. To prepare it, brew your coffee and pour it into a cup. Place a whole sugar cube on a special spoon, add 2–3 drops of brandy, let the brandy soak the cube, then ignite it. Let the flame melt the sugar slightly and burn off some of the alcohol before stirring everything into the coffee. This technique enhances aroma through Maillard-type reactions and offers a rich, warming blend of bitter, boozy, and sweet.

Egg Coffee: Rich Texture Meets Dark Roast

Egg Coffee is made by whisking one fresh egg yolk with 10ml of fresh cream and 300ml of milk in a saucepan. Add 150ml of 80°C dark roast coffee and stir continuously over heat without boiling. Once removed from heat, pour into a cup and finish with a sprinkle of chocolate powder. The recipe uses a deep-roasted coffee—likely akin to FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling or Brazil Queen Manor—to complement the creamy, custardy texture. The 80°C brewing temperature ensures balanced extraction without over-extracting the roast flavors.

Sweetheart Coffee: Iced and Infused with Maple

This coffee drink starts with a shot of pure Mandheling or Italian-style espresso brewed using a moka pot, served in a U-shaped glass, then rapidly chilled in an ice-water bath. A few drops of maple syrup are stirred in before topping with thick whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate powder. Designed as a romantic offering, it delivers coffee bitterness alongside the smoothness of cold foam and a hint of caramelized sweetness.

Roman Black Coffee: Simple and Bold

Roman Black Coffee is prepared by filling a cup 80% with brewed coffee, then adding two tablespoons of granulated sugar and 2–3 drops of rum. The result is a thick, sweet, and aromatic drink with a strong coffee base and a rum finish. It highlights how sugar and spirits can be used to elevate a straightforward dark roast without additional dairy or complex preparation.

Mexican Sunset Coffee: Ice, Ice Cream, and Liqueur

This dessert coffee begins with a seven-tenths-filled glass of iced coffee. A vanilla ice cream ball is placed on top, followed by the addition of a yolks-only egg (whites removed) on the ice cream. Finally, 30g of green mint liqueur is poured over the ice cream to integrate all components. The combination results in a wild, slightly savory flavor profile with contrasting textures of cold, creamy, and boozy elements.

Lemon Brandy Coffee: Citrus, Booze, and Bitterness

Also called Makran Coffee, this drink blends brewed coffee with 30g of brandy and a single slice of fresh lemon floated on top. It combines coffee’s bitterness, lemon’s acidity, and brandy’s warmth into a refreshing yet complex serve. Often enjoyed as a digestif or afternoon drink, it shows how citrus and spirits can balance roast intensity.

Net Cafe Coffee: Caffeine Boost for Late-Night Sessions

Created for late-night coders and multitaskers, Net Cafe Coffee uses a large batch of coffee (Colombian or Brazilian beans brewed via moka pot), blended with pre-made coffee ice, powdered milk (or condensed milk), and honey (or syrup), then mixed vigorously in a blender. The result is a thick, sweet, energy-restoring coffee designed to replenish blood sugar during long work sessions. This recipe is ideal for bold roasts that stand up to milk and sweeteners without losing their character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Drunk Coffee and what liquor is used in it?

Drunk Coffee is a sweet coffee cocktail made with hot coffee filled to 80% of the cup, 10ml of red orange peel liqueur, a layer of fresh cream, and a topping of cinnamon powder and chopped orange peel. The orange liqueur adds a fruity, boozy note to contrast the coffee.

How do you make Royal Coffee with flaming brandy?

To make Royal Coffee, pour brewed coffee into a cup, place a sugar cube on a spoon, add 2–3 drops of brandy, ignite the brandy to melt the sugar slightly, then stir everything into the coffee. The flame enhances aroma and integrates the brandy flavor.

What temperature should dark roast coffee be for Egg Coffee?

For Egg Coffee, use dark roast coffee brewed at 80°C. This temperature avoids over-extraction while ensuring enough body and bitterness to complement the egg yolk, cream, and milk mixture.

Can I use any coffee roast for Roman Black Coffee?

Roman Black Coffee works best with a strong, dark roast coffee such as PWN Golden Mandheling. The recipe includes 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2–3 drops of rum, so a bold, low-acid roast balances the sweet and boozy flavors.

What’s the best coffee for making Sweetheart Coffee?

Sweetheart Coffee uses moka pot-brewed espresso—recommend using a Mandheling or Italian-style roast. The drink is topped with whipped cream and maple syrup, so a strong, balanced roast stands up to the sweet cold foam.

Which beans are good for Net Cafe Coffee?

Net Cafe Coffee is blended with either Colombian or Brazilian beans brewed in a moka pot, so choose medium to medium-dark roasts like Brazil Queen Manor or the Classic Blend, which provide body and crema suitable for blending with milk, ice, and sweeteners.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Cocktails

For the cocktails in this guide, try FrontStreet Coffee’s PWN Golden Mandheling—a deep-roasted single origin with bold body, herbal spice, and sweet malt notes. Brazil Queen Manor is another excellent option with its nutty, toasty character and caramel finish, ideal for balancing creamy or boozy elements. Both beans showcase the rich, intense profiles needed for cocktails featuring alcohol, egg, or cream. For milk-based drinks, the Classic Blend offers a well-rounded base with strong crema potential. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.