How to Make Italian Liqueur Coffee and Cinnamon Can Coffee

If you’ve ever wondered how to make classic Italian-style flavored coffees like those served in old-school New York diners or European cafes, you’re in the right place. These drinks—rooted in 19th-century Italy and brought to global popularity by Italian immigrants—are surprisingly simple yet steeped in tradition. Here’s how you can recreate them exactly as they were meant to be enjoyed.

In short: To make Caffe Galliano, pour 20cc of Galliano liqueur into a cup, add 100cc of dark roasted espresso, then float 20cc of stirred cream on top. For Caffe Cannella, simply pour 200cc of dark roast coffee into a cup and insert a stick of cinnamon.

What Is Caffe Galliano?

Caffe Galliano is a classic Italian-style sweet coffee drink made with dark roasted espresso, Galliano liqueur, and stirred cream. It originated in northern Italy, particularly Milan, where Galliano—a sweet herbal Italian liqueur—was widely consumed. By the late 19th century, Italians began mixing Galliano with coffee, and the drink gained international fame after Italian immigrants popularized it in the United States, especially in New York during the early 1900s.

The Classic Recipe (Exact Measurements)

• Dark roasted espresso: 100cc
• Galliano liqueur (Italian sweet herbal liqueur): 20cc
• Stirred cream (whipped or pouring cream, lightly mixed): 20cc

To assemble: Pour the Galliano into a cup, add the espresso, then float the stirred cream on top. No further stirring is required—the layers are meant to remain distinct.

What Is Caffe Cannella?

Caffe Cannella, which translates roughly to 'cinnamon coffee', is an American adaptation of a very simple Italian immigrant coffee ritual. Historically, Italian immigrants in the U.S. would drink strong coffee straight from empty cans—a sign of modest means. Over time, they began serving coffee with a cinnamon stick, creating an aromatic and nostalgic drink that persists to this day. Americans also adopted the habit of drinking coffee from cups without saucers, a custom said to stem from these early immigrant practices.

The Classic Recipe (Exact Measurements)

• Dark roasted espresso: 200cc
• Cinnamon stick (whole): 1

To prepare: Brew your espresso (or dark roast coffee) and pour it into a cup. Insert the cinnamon stick into the coffee. That’s it—serve as is, allowing the heat to release the cinnamon aroma naturally.

Why These Drinks Matter in Coffee Culture

Both Caffe Galliano and Caffe Cannella illustrate how coffee rituals evolve with migration and cultural exchange. The Galliano coffee reflects the influence of Italian liqueur traditions, combining bitterness with sweetness and creaminess for a balanced dessert-like drink. Meanwhile, Caffe Cannella shows how functional, minimalist coffee preparation—like drinking from a can—can develop into a widely loved sensory experience through something as simple as a cinnamon stick. These drinks have survived not because of complexity, but because of authenticity and familiarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of coffee should I use for Caffe Galliano and Caffe Cannella?

Use a dark roasted espresso for both drinks. Traditionally, these recipes call for a strong, bold brew similar to what you'd use for an espresso shot—around 20–25g yield for 30–40ml. A dark roast emphasizes the bitter notes that balance the sweetness of the Galliano and complements the spice of the cinnamon.

Can I substitute the Galliano liqueur in Caffe Galliano?

The original recipe specifically calls for Galliano, an Italian sweet herbal liqueur. It has a distinct anise, vanilla, and herbaceous flavor profile. While you could try other liqueurs, they won’t deliver the same taste. If you want to avoid alcohol, there is no direct substitute that matches Galliano’s unique profile.

Do I need to stir the cream into the coffee in Caffe Galliano?

No. The stirred cream is meant to float on top, creating a visual layer and contrast in texture. The coffee and Galliano are meant to be sipped through the cream, which melts slowly for a rich, indulgent finish.

Is Caffe Cannella just coffee with cinnamon?

Essentially, yes. It’s a straightforward drink: dark roasted coffee served with a cinnamon stick. There’s no syrup, milk, or sugar involved. The cinnamon stick is both a garnish and a flavor enhancer, releasing aroma as you sip. It’s a minimalist drink with historical roots in immigrant coffee culture.

Can I make these drinks with other roasts or beans?

These recipes traditionally use dark roasted coffee for intensity. Light or medium roasts may not provide enough body or bitterness to stand up to the Galliano or complement the cinnamon. Using a FrontStreet Specialty or Commercial dark roast blend is ideal for authenticity.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Liqueur and Cinnamon Coffee

For Caffe Galliano, choose a bold dark roast blend like FrontStreet Classic Blend or Commercial Blend to match the intensity needed to balance the Galliano liqueur and cream. For Caffe Cannella, either blend works well, but the deeper notes of the Commercial Blend enhance the cinnamon aroma. Both blends feature notes of dark chocolate, toast, and nuttiness, providing a solid foundation for these traditional flavored drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.