How to Make Café Brûlot: French-American Spiced Coffee with Brandy

You’ve heard of Irish coffee, but what about Café Brûlot? This spiced coffee drink—served hot, spiked with brandy, and fragrant with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus—is a little-known classic from France and New Orleans. If you’ve ever wanted to try a coffee drink that feels like a holiday drink and a dessert had a baby, this is it.

To make Café Brûlot, you’ll need just 150cc of dark roast coffee, 20cc of brandy, two sugar cubes, and a few whole spices including cinnamon stick, cloves, and optional mint and lemon peel—all heated gently then combined. It serves two or more in minutes.

What Is Café Brûlot?

Café Brûlot, also written as Café Brulot, is a traditional spiced coffee drink originating in France and later popularized in New Orleans. Also nicknamed the 'magic coffee', it’s served hot and infused with brandy, warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, citrus zest, and sugar. Though it sounds like a dessert cocktail, it’s essentially a flavored hot coffee drink with a boozy kick. It’s especially associated with festive or winter occasions.

What You’ll Need to Make Café Brûlot

The original recipe calls for specific ingredients in measured amounts:

• 150cc of dark roasted coffee (deep roast)
• 20cc of brandy
• 2 sugar cubes (typically white cube sugar)
• A small stick of cinnamon
• A few whole cloves
• A few fresh mint leaves (optional, )
• A small piece of lemon peel

No milk, no espresso, no syrups—just coffee, heat, sugar, spice, and brandy.

How to Make Café Brûlot: Step by Step

This drink is prepared in a shallow pan, not a coffee maker or mug. Here’s the exact method:

1. Place the cinnamon stick, cloves, mint leaves (if using), and sugar cubes into a small shallow saucepan.
2. Add the lemon peel and then pour the brandy over the ingredients.
3. Heat the mixture gently over a low flame . Do not let it boil—just warm it enough to release the aromas.
4. Once warmed and fragrant, extinguish the flame carefully.
5. Pour the 150cc of dark roast coffee into the pan with the spiced brandy mixture.
6. Stir briefly, then strain the entire mixture through a tea strainer or fine filter into serving cups.
7. Garnish each cup with a small piece of lemon peel before serving.

The recipe makes enough for two or more servings in one go.

Why This Drink Works

The combination of a deep-roasted coffee with the warmth of brandy and spices creates a rich, aromatic drink perfect for cooler weather. The sugar cubes caramelize slightly from the gentle heat, enhancing sweetness without making the drink overly sweet. The lemon peel and mint add freshness that balances the richness. Though it includes alcohol, the brandy is not overpowering—it complements rather than dominates the coffee flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of Café Brûlot?

Café Brûlot originated in France and became widely known in New Orleans, where it remains a traditional drink, especially during the holidays. Its preparation method is believed to have been inspired by French culinary techniques.

Do you use espresso in Café Brûlot?

No, Café Brûlot is made with regular filtered or drip-style dark roast coffee—specifically 150cc, not espresso. The coffee is poured into the spiced brandy mixture after heating, not extracted directly into the pan.

Can I make Café Brûlot without alcohol?

The drink traditionally includes 20cc of brandy, but you can omit it if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. The spices, coffee, and sugar will still create a flavorful drink, though you’ll lose the brandy’s warmth and aroma.

What kind of coffee roast is best for Café Brûlot?

The original recipe uses a deep-roast coffee, specified as 150cc of . This likely means a dark or French-style roast, which stands up well to the strong flavors of the spices and brandy.

Is Café Brûlot a type of coffee cocktail?

While it contains alcohol, Café Brûlot is more accurately described as a spiced hot coffee drink. It’s not shaken or served chilled like a cocktail, but the addition of brandy gives it a cocktail-like quality. It’s typically served as a warm, aromatic beverage rather than a mixed drink.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Café Brûlot

For Café Brûlot, choose a deep, bold roast that can hold up to the warm spices and brandy. FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend offers a full-bodied, chocolatey profile with low acidity—perfect for balancing the sweetness of the sugar and the booziness of the brandy. Alternatively, their Black Cocoa Blend brings intense roast notes and cocoa depth, complementing the drink’s spicy and citrusy edge. Both blends are dark roasted, ensuring they won’t get lost in this flavorful preparation. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.