How People Drink Coffee Around the World

Ever wonder how people drink coffee in other countries? From Germany’s boozy Pharisäer to Vietnam’s egg-topped coffee, each place has its own twist on brewing and serving. Here’s a deep dive into how 15 countries take their coffee—complete with ratios, ingredients, and cultural habits.

Quick answer: Germans mix rum into coffee (Pharisäer), Americans drink 3.1 cups daily (with drinks like Red Eye at 1:1 espresso-to-drip), and Italians never have milk coffee after meals—each country has a distinct coffee ritual, ingredient, or ratio that defines its style.

European Coffee Traditions

Germany: Coffee with a Kick

Germany is the world’s second-largest coffee importer (after the U.S.), with its first cafes appearing in Bremen and Hamburg before Berlin got its first in 1721. Key drinks include:

• Pharisäer: 1/4 cup coffee, 1 sugar cube, 2 small cups rum, topped with whipped cream.
• Eiskaffee: Iced coffee with 2 vanilla handmade scoops, whipped cream, and chocolate powder.

Italy: Espresso Rules

In Italy, espresso is the default—cappuccino is only for mornings, and milk coffee post-lunch is rare. Classic orders:

• Cappuccino: Espresso + steamed milk foam.
• Caffè Macchiato: Espresso + a spoon of milk foam.
• Caffè Affogato: Espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Austria: Post-War Coffee Culture

After Austria’s 1683 victory over the Turks, Vienna’s first cafes opened using leftover Turkish beans. Local favorites:

• Kaffee Brauner: 1 shot espresso, cream, and a glass of water.
• Einspänner: 2 shots espresso + whipped cream.

Other European Styles

France serves milk coffee (espresso + foam). Spain offers Cafe con Leche (boiled milk:espresso at 2:1) and Cafe Carajillo (coffee + brandy/rum/whiskey). Portugal’s Galão is 3:1 steamed milk to espresso. Greece/Cyprus enjoy Frappe (instant coffee, ice, foam), while Turkey makes strong Turkish coffee with cardamom.

American & Oceanic Takes

USA: Daily Doses

Americans drink 3.1 cups daily, with 1/3 having coffee every day. Popular drinks:

• Americano: Hot water:espresso at 2:1.
• Red Eye: Drip coffee:espresso at 1:1.

Australia/New Zealand: Flat Whites

The flat white, born from Italian migrants in 1930s Melbourne, features 1 shot espresso + steamed milk + microfoam.

Ireland: Whiskey Boost

Irish coffee, created in 1942 for cold passengers, mixes Irish whiskey, coffee, brown sugar, and whipped cream.

Global South & Asia

Mexico: Spiced Tradition

Café de Olla uses a 3:1 water:coffee powder ratio, plus cinnamon sticks and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar).

Vietnam: Egg Coffee

Vietnam (world’s #2 coffee producer) serves Ca Phe Trung: 1 shot Vietnamese drip coffee + 1 egg yolk + 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk.

Thailand: Sweet & Iced

Thai Iced Coffee blends coffee, milk, and sweetened condensed milk at a 2:1:1 ratio, served over ice.

India: Colonial Legacy

Kaapi (Indian Filter Coffee) mixes 1 cup hot milk, 2 tbsp coffee powder, hot water, and sugar—a method credited to Baba Budan smuggling beans in the 1600s.

Nordic & Dutch Habits

Finland/Denmark: High Volume

Finns drink 10kg coffee per person yearly (world’s highest), often light-roasted. Danes average 3–4 cups daily, often brewed via French press. Key drinks:

• Kahvi (Finland): Drip coffee + a splash of milk.
• Stempelkande Kaffe (Denmark): 1 tbsp coffee per cup, brewed in a French press.

Netherlands: Milk-Heavy

Koffie Verkeerd (‘wrong coffee’) uses drip or espresso with twice the hot milk. Note: Dutch ‘Coffee Shops’ sell cannabis, not coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular coffee drink in Italy?

In Italy, the most popular coffee is espresso, typically consumed standing at the bar. Cappuccino is only common in the morning, and milk-based drinks are rarely ordered after meals.

Why do Germans put rum in coffee?

The Pharisäer, a traditional German coffee drink, includes rum as a historical nod to a 19th-century tale where rum was hidden in coffee to avoid a pastor’s disapproval.

What’s the difference between a flat white and a latte?

A flat white (popular in Australia/New Zealand) has a higher ratio of espresso to steamed milk with less foam than a latte, resulting in a richer, more intense coffee flavor.

Why is Turkish coffee unfiltered?

Turkish coffee is unfiltered because it’s brewed with finely ground coffee boiled in a cezve, leaving coffee grounds at the bottom of the cup—part of its traditional preparation and taste.

What coffee do Mexicans traditionally drink?

Mexicans traditionally drink Café de Olla, made with a 3:1 water-to-coffee ratio, cinnamon sticks, and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), often brewed in a clay pot.

How much coffee do Finns drink compared to others?

Finns drink the most coffee globally, averaging 10kg per person annually (roughly 1,000+ cups), often preferring light-roasted beans—a stark contrast to darker roasts common elsewhere.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Global Coffee Styles

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