Common Specialty Coffee Types and Brewing Methods

Ever wondered what makes Brazilian Santos different from Irish Coffee, or how to make a proper Mocha Frappé without a recipe? Whether you're curious about traditional European coffee drinks or modern frozen blends, this guide covers the most common specialty coffee types—with exact methods, ratios, and flavor profiles you won’t find in a generic coffee list.

There are at least 12 distinct coffee drink types covered here, from the nutty, spice-friendly Brazilian Santos (often brewed with cinnamon or cardamom) to the boozy Royal Coffee with flaming brandy, and the sweet, icy Mocha Frappé blended with ice cream and chocolate syrup. Each has specific steps, measurements, and optional tweaks.

Brazilian Santos: A Neutral, Spiced Single Origin

Brazilian Santos is a classic single-origin coffee known for its smooth, neutral profile—often described as sweet, with notes of caramel and nuts. It’s versatile enough to drink black or enhanced with spices. One traditional preparation involves using 12g of dark-roast Santos beans, optionally blending them with cinnamon or cardamom before finely grinding. The spices and coffee are then boiled in water for about 20 seconds. After the grounds settle, pour the clarified coffee off the top. It’s also common to serve it with lemon, honey, or even paired with Turkish sugar, butter candies, or chocolate for a unique twist.

Royal Coffee: Brandy Flame Elegance

Royal Coffee is a dramatic drink credited to Napoleon, who preferred brandy over milk. It combines hot espresso with a flambeed shot of brandy. To prepare a single serving, brew 90cc of hot Blue Mountain espresso (or another high-quality espresso) into a preheated porcelain cup. Place a royal spoon (or a shallow spoon) across the cup, pour brandy onto the spoon, ignite it, and carefully pour the flaming brandy into the coffee. The result is a layered drink with the aroma of brandy, caramelized sugar, and rich espresso—meant to highlight French flair and bold flavors.

Icy Blended Coffee Creations

Cool down with three popular frozen coffee drinks, each with specific ingredients and preparation steps:

• Mocha Frappé: Blend 1 portion of unsweetened iced coffee, 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, 3 tablespoons vanilla ice cream, a handful of crushed ice, and top with whipped cream and more chocolate syrup.
• Iced Coffee Float: In a glass, layer 120cc milk mixed with syrup at the bottom, then slowly pour 30cc espresso over ice to create a red-and-white split effect.
• Yuenyeung Iced Coffee (Coffee-Tea Blend): Mix equal parts iced black tea and iced coffee in a cup, adjusting sweetness with condensed milk as desired. For a hot version, simply use hot tea and coffee instead.

Whiskey & Liqueur Coffee Blends

For those who enjoy spirits in their coffee:

• Irish Coffee: A warm cocktail made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and often a small amount of sugar, topped with cream. The FrontStreet reference guide does not include a specific recipe, but the drink is known for its balance of coffee acidity and whiskey warmth.
• Macchiatto & Con Panna: A double shot of espresso (Italian-style) can be served two ways—either topped with 2 tablespoons of steamed milk foam (Macchiatto, to be drunk in one go), or with a dollop of fresh cream floating on top (Con Panna, no milk added).

Exotic & Seasonal Coffee Drinks

• Green Tea Coffee: A Japanese-inspired blend combining the earthy notes of green tea with strong brewed coffee, balancing each other’s flavor profiles.
• Mocha Freeze: A frozen dessert coffee made by blending ice, milk-based ice cream, chocolate syrup, and Mocha iced coffee until smooth, then topping with whipped cream and more syrup.
• Mazagran (or “”): Made with 10g espresso coffee (or 30g for larger batch), 50cc water, sparkling water (like Perrier), 10cc lemon juice, and ice. Optional: replace sparkling water with 7-Up or add syrup for sweetness. Brew directly over ice for a refreshing, citrus-forward coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brazilian Santos coffee and how is it typically brewed?

Brazilian Santos is a single-origin coffee known for its smooth, neutral flavor with sweet, nutty, and caramel notes. It can be brewed normally or spiced with cinnamon or cardamom. A traditional method involves grinding 12g of dark-roast Santos with optional spices, boiling the mix for 20 seconds, letting the grounds settle, and pouring off the clear coffee. It’s often served with lemon, honey, or paired with sweets like Turkish sugar or chocolate.

How do you make Royal Coffee with brandy?

Royal Coffee is made by brewing 90cc of hot espresso (preferably high-quality like Blue Mountain) into a preheated cup. A royal or shallow spoon is placed on the cup, brandy is poured onto the spoon, ignited, and then carefully poured into the coffee. The result is a drink with flaming brandy aromas layered over espresso, creating a bold, sweet, and boozy experience.

What’s the recipe for a Mocha Frappé?

A Mocha Frappé is made by blending 1 portion of unsweetened iced coffee, 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup, 3 tablespoons of vanilla ice cream, and a handful of crushed ice for 20–30 seconds. The mixture is poured into a glass and topped with whipped cream and additional chocolate syrup for a sweet, cold coffee treat.

What are the key differences between Macchiatto and Con Panna?

Both are Italian espresso-based drinks. A Macchiatto is a double shot of espresso topped with about 2 tablespoons of steamed milk foam and is meant to be consumed quickly. Con Panna is a single or double espresso with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top and no milk, served as a dessert-like coffee.

Can you make the Mazagran coffee with other sparkling waters?

Yes, Mazagran (or ) is traditionally made with sparkling water like Perrier, but you can substitute it with 7-Up or other clear sodas. The base recipe uses 10g espresso, 50cc water, 10cc lemon juice, and ice. Add syrup if you prefer it sweeter.

How is Yuenyeung Iced Coffee (coffee-tea blend) made?

Yuenyeung Iced Coffee is made by mixing equal parts iced black tea and iced coffee. For a balanced flavor, adjust sweetness with condensed milk to taste. A hot version can be made by using hot tea and coffee instead of iced versions.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Classic Coffee Styles

For exploring classic coffee profiles like Brazilian Santos, try FrontStreet’sBourbon (Red Bourbon from HILDO) with its notes of creamy peanut, roasted peanut, and cocoa—perfect for enjoying black or with light spices. TheBrazil Queen Manor (Brazil Queen Manor) features a Yellow Bourbon variety with a smooth, nutty profile and hints of caramel, ideal for pairing with milk or sweeteners. Both beans highlight Brazil’s signature low-acidity and balanced body, making them great foundations for traditional and spiced coffee preparations. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.