How to Make Barley Coffee with Espresso and Cream

If you’ve ever wanted a warming coffee drink that isn’t just another latte or flat white, Barley Coffee might be your answer. It’s not a typical coffee shop offering—but it’s a real thing, combining espresso with barley tea for a nutty, toasty profile. This guide shows you exactly how to recreate it, based on a classic formula that includes Italian espresso, steamed barley tea, fresh cream, honey, and a sprinkle of roasted barley grains.

The key ingredients in this Barley Coffee recipe are half a cup of Italian espresso, one tablespoon of barley tea, 3 parts hot water, 15 milliliters of honey, fresh cream to taste, a few roasted barley grains, and optional sugar packets. That’s your full formula.

What Is Barley Coffee?

Barley Coffee—known in English as Barley Coffee and in the original as —is a warm beverage that blends brewed coffee with barley tea. It’s not a coffee substitute like grain coffee, but a layered drink combining the roast notes of espresso with the earthy tones of barley. It’s especially popular as a caffeine-free alternative or a milder evening coffee option, though this version keeps the espresso for a balanced drink.

Why Add Barley Tea to Espresso?

Adding barley tea to espresso creates a more complex flavor profile. The roasted, slightly nutty and cereal-like qualities of barley complement the bold, bitter notes of Italian espresso. Together, they produce a smoother, less acidic drink with toasty undertones. It’s a way to introduce tea-like depth into a classic coffee format—without losing the coffee entirely.

How to Make Barley Coffee: Step-by-Step

This recipe builds the drink in layers for the best texture and flavor balance:

• Start by pouring half a cup of freshly brewed Italian espresso into your serving cup.
• In a separate container, combine one tablespoon of barley tea with 3 parts hot water. Use a steam wand or gentle heat to warm the mixture—do not boil—and allow the barley flavors to infuse and become aromatic.
• Once the barley tea is steamed and fragrant, pour it carefully into the cup with the espresso. Stir gently to combine.
• Add a generous dollop of fresh cream on top, adjusting the amount to your preference.
• Finish with a small sprinkle of roasted barley grains for texture and a visual touch.
• Serve the drink with a side of 15 milliliters of honey and sugar packets, allowing guests to adjust sweetness to taste.

The result is a layered drink: the espresso base, the barley infusion, the silky cream, and a hint of grain on top. Optional sweetening lets drinkers tailor the experience.

What You’ll Need

• Italian espresso – ½ cup
• Barley tea – 1 tablespoon
• Hot water – 3 parts (approx. 90–100ml)
• Fresh cream – to taste
• Roasted barley grains – a small pinch
• Honey – 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon)
• Sugar packets – optional

Flavor Notes and Texture

The espresso brings roast and bitterness, the barley tea adds a toasted, grainy warmth, and the cream smooths the whole drink. The honey offers optional sweetness, while the barley grains provide a subtle crunch and visual element. Texturally, it’s creamy on top, soft in the middle, and strong at the base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Barley Coffee without an espresso machine?

Yes, but the flavor profile will change. You can substitute the Italian espresso with strong brewed coffee or a Moka pot coffee. The key is to have a bold coffee base to balance the barley tea. Without espresso, use around 60–80ml of very strong filtered coffee instead.

What is barley tea and where can I find it?

Barley tea is a roasted grain tea common in East Asia, often sold as barley water or roasted barley bags. It has a toasty, slightly nutty flavor. Look for it in Asian grocery stores or online as roasted barley tea or mugicha. Use 1 tablespoon per drink.

Do I have to use fresh cream?

No, fresh cream is optional. You can use milk, a dairy-free alternative, or skip it entirely. The original recipe calls for “fresh cream to taste,” meaning it’s flexible depending on your dietary preferences or texture goals.

Why include honey and sugar packets?

The drink is served with 15ml of honey and sugar packets on the side. This allows the drinker to customize the sweetness after tasting the base combination of coffee, barley, and cream. Not everyone wants the drink sweetened, so it’s offered as an option rather than mixed in.

Can I use roasted barley grains from the brewery supply store?

Yes, as long as they’re food-safe roasted barley grains. The original recipe tops the drink with a few roasted barley grains for texture. Avoid raw grains—they won’t have the same roasted flavor or visual appeal.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Barley Coffee

For this Barley Coffee recipe, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright berry tones that play well against the nuttiness of barley, or their Yirgacheffe for floral and citrus complexity. Alternatively, their Classic Blend offers a balanced medium roast with chocolate and caramel notes that complement both espresso and barley tea. These beans will give you a strong, flavorful coffee base to layer with the barley elements. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.