How to Make 7 Classic Specialty Coffee Drinks

Want to make more than just a plain shot of espresso? Specialty coffee doesn’t have to mean just black coffee or milk drinks. Across the world, baristas and home brewers mix coffee with spirits, fruit, chocolate, and tea for unique results. Whether you’re after a boozy float or a creamy iced layered drink, these classic coffee recipes show you exactly how.

To recreate these drinks, you’ll need measured amounts of espresso, syrups, alcohol, milk, and ice — all detailed below with exact volumes like 120ml coffee, 30ml syrups, and 5ml liquor. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions using standard home tools.

Fruit Coffee: A Fruity, Boozy Layered Drink

This dessert-like layered coffee drink combines espresso with fruit flavors, cream, and liqueurs. It’s served over crushed ice and topped with whipped cream. Perfect for warm days or as a sweet after-dinner treat.

Ingredients: 120ml iced coffee, 30ml fruit syrup, 5ml brandy, whipped cream, 30ml green mint liqueur, 180g crushed ice, 10ml brown cocoa liqueur, diced mixed fruit, 3–4 marshmallows.

Steps: Sweeten and cool 120ml brewed coffee with 30ml fruit syrup. Pour crushed ice into a glass, add the cooled coffee and 5ml brandy, then 10ml brown cocoa liqueur. Arrange diced fruit around the rim, top with whipped cream, and garnish with marshmallows.

Karlia Iced Coffee: Fizzy and Creamy

A refreshing iced coffee cocktail that mixes espresso with soda, citrus liqueur, and chocolate. Light, bubbly, and topped with cream and chocolate flakes.

Ingredients: 120ml iced coffee, 30ml fruit syrup, 100ml lemon-lime soda, whipped cream, 7ml white curaçao, chocolate shavings.

Steps: Mix cooled coffee with 30ml fruit syrup. In a glass, add 7ml white curaçao, then pour in the coffee-syrup mix and 100ml soda. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Europresso Iced Coffee

An iced take on the classic European milk coffee, made by pouring hot espresso over ice and diluting with milk to taste. No syrup needed — just coffee, ice, and fresh dairy.

Method Options: Use 16g coffee grounds + 260ml water for espresso (via steam or non-espresso brewer using 40g coffee + 120ml water). Pour prepared espresso over ice in two glasses. Stir and add milk or cream gradually to taste.

Green Tea Coffee: East Meets West

A Japanese-inspired drink balancing coffee’s bitterness with powdered green tea. Served black with cream and tea powder on top — a cultural fusion in a cup.

Ingredients: 1 cup strong brewed coffee, sugar packet, whipped cream, green tea powder.

Steps: Serve coffee 80% full in a cup, add whipped cream by swirling it on top, then dust with a little green tea powder. Include a sugar packet. Best enjoyed any time of day.

Javanese Mocha Coffee: Chocolate & Java

A post-meal mocha-style drink using Javanese-style coffee and chocolate syrup. Lightly sweetened and finished with cream for a smooth finish.

Ingredients: 1 cup hot Javanese coffee, sugar packet, ¼–½ oz chocolate syrup, 1 creamer ball.

Steps: Pour hot coffee 80% full in a cup, add sugar and ¼–½ oz chocolate syrup, top with a creamer ball. Ideal for after-dinner or afternoon drinking.

Turkish Coffee: Traditional Boiled Brew

Made without filters by boiling finely ground dark roast coffee with optional spices. Served unfiltered with grounds settled at the bottom. Customizable with lemon, honey, or candy.

Ingredients (1 serving): 12g dark roasted coffee, optional cinnamon or cardamom, water.

Steps: Grind coffee fine with spices if desired. Boil with water for ~20 seconds, let grounds settle, then pour the clear liquid off the top. Serve as is or with lemon, honey, or candy.

Mazagran: Bubbly Espresso Lemonade

A cold, unsweetened espresso drink with sparkling water and lemon. Optional: sweeten with syrup or switch to 7-Up for a lighter taste.

Espresso Machine Method: 10g coffee, 50ml water, sparkling water, 10ml lemon juice, ice.

Standard Method: 30g coffee, 120ml water, sparkling water, 10ml lemon juice, ice.

Steps: Brew espresso, pour over ice in a glass, add sparkling water and lemon juice. Skip sugar for a dry drink, or use syrup or 7-Up for sweetness.

Swiss Chocolate Coffee: Alps in a Cup

A warming mix of espresso and chocolate, ideal for cold weather or après-ski. Can be adjusted for sweetness using syrup or chocolate sauce.

Espresso Machine Method: 7g coffee, 120ml water, 15g sugar-containing chocolate powder.

Standard Method: 12g coffee, 120ml water, or 30ml chocolate syrup.

Steps: Brew espresso, stir in chocolate, and serve. Adjust sweetness to taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fruit coffee and how do you make it?

Fruit coffee is a layered iced drink made with 120ml of iced coffee, 30ml fruit syrup, 5ml brandy, 30ml green mint liqueur, crushed ice, and topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. Fruit cubes line the glass rim for flavor and presentation.

How do you make iced Europresso or ?

Brew espresso using 16g coffee + 260ml water (or 40g coffee + 120ml water via alternative method), pour over ice in a glass, then stir in milk or cream to taste. Serve chilled with plenty of ice.

What’s the easiest way to make Turkish coffee?

Use 12g dark roast coffee, grind it very fine with optional spices like cinnamon. Boil with water for 20 seconds, let the grounds settle, then pour the clear liquid into a cup. Do not filter.

Can I make Mazagran with other sparkling drinks?

Yes. The original uses sparkling water and lemon juice, but you can substitute with 7-Up or add simple syrup to taste if you prefer it sweeter.

Is there a non-alcoholic version of fruit coffee?

You can skip the brandy and green mint liqueur, but the recipe as written includes 5ml brandy and 30ml green mint liqueur for authentic flavor. Replace them with non-alcoholic syrups if preferred.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Espresso-Based Drinks

For these classic espresso-based drinks, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend is an excellent choice — it’s designed for milk drinks and espresso with rich, smooth crema. The Black Cocoa Blend offers bold, chocolatey notes that pair well with mochas and chocolate coffee. For a more affordable option, the Commercial Blend still delivers solid crema and body for layered drinks like fruit coffee or iced espresso. All three are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.