30 Global Ways to Drink Coffee Including Egg Yolk

Ever wondered how people drink coffee around the world? From the rich depths of an Italian espresso to the sweet, creamy swirl of a Thai iced coffee, each country crafts its own signature brew. But have you ever heard of coffee with an egg yolk? Or coffee served with a shot of whiskey or served over ice with condensed milk? If you’re curious about the world’s most distinctive coffee customs—yes, including that unexpected egg yolk—read on.

Yes, people really do put egg yolks in coffee—in Vietnam’s Cà Phê Trứng, to be exact. Around the world, there are at least 30 distinct ways to prepare and enjoy coffee, each with specific ingredients, ratios, and cultural rules. From the 2:1 hot water to espresso ratio in an Americano to the single egg yolk stirred into hot sweetened coffee in Vietnam, these methods reveal how local tastes and traditions shape every cup.

America: Daily Rituals and Coffee Ratios

In the U.S., coffee is a daily staple. On average, Americans drink 3.1 cups per day, with 103 million adults drinking coffee daily. Two common American-style drinks include:

• Americano: 2 parts hot water to 1 part espresso.
• Red Eye: 1 part drip coffee to 1 part espresso.

Americans also enjoy classic drip coffee, often consumed quickly and without fanfare.

Italy: Espresso Culture and Standing Orders

Italians take their coffee seriously—and quickly. In Italy, coffee is a standalone drink, not a social sit-down. Most Italians drink their espresso standing at the bar. Key Italian coffee styles include:

• Espresso: A small, strong shot of concentrated coffee.
• Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk foam.
• Caffè Macchiato: Espresso “stained” with a spoonful of milk foam.
• Caffè Lungo: Espresso diluted with plenty of hot water.
• Caffè Affogato: Espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato.

Italians typically drink cappuccino only in the morning and almost never after meals.

Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean

In Spain, breakfast often consists of just coffee and toast. The popular Café con Leche mixes boiled milk and espresso in a 2:1 ratio. Meanwhile, Café Carajillo is made with espresso and a shot of liquor—usually brandy, whiskey, or rum.

Portugal offers Galeão, a 3:1 blend of steamed milk foam and espresso, and Cimbalino, a mild filter-style coffee linked to Portugal’s role in spreading coffee cultivation to Brazil.

Germany, Austria, and Northern Europe

Germany is the world’s second-largest coffee importer. Traditional drinks include:

• Pharisäer: Coffee with a sugar cube, two shots of rum, and whipped cream.
• Eiskaffee: Ice coffee with two scoops of vanilla gelato, whipped cream, and cocoa powder.

Austria’s Kaffee Brauner blends espresso with cream and water, while Einspänner features double espresso topped with whipped cream.

Vietnam, Thailand, and Southeast Asia

Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer. Its signature drinks include:

• Cà Phê Sữa Đá: Strong dark coffee with sweetened condensed milk and ice, mixed in a 1:3:2 ratio (espresso:water:condensed milk).
• Cà Phê Trứng: Vietnamese egg coffee made with 1 egg yolk, 2 tablespoons of condensed milk, and brewed strong coffee—often served hot.

Thailand’s Thai Iced Coffee blends coffee, milk, and condensed milk in a 2:1:1 ratio, served over ice.

Mexico, Latin America, and Spiced Traditions

Mexico produces organic and export-grade coffee. Its traditional Café de Olla is brewed with a 3:1 water-to-coffee ratio, and flavored with cinnamon sticks and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar).

Nordic Coffee Habits

Finns drink more coffee per capita than anyone else—around 10kg annually. Their typical Kahvi is filtered coffee with a bit of milk. Danes, meanwhile, drink 3–4 cups daily, often in offices for a productivity boost. Their Stempelkande Kaffe is made with a single spoon of coffee per cup of water, usually brewed in a French press.

The Middle East, Turkey, and Frothed Favorites

Turkey considers coffee a historical right—even once allowing women to divorce over coffee denial. Turkish Coffee is unfiltered, made with water, finely ground coffee, and cardamom.

Greek and Cypriot Frappe Coffee is a shaken iced drink with instant coffee, water, ice, and foam.

Australia, New Zealand, and Modern Milk Coffee

The Flat White combines espresso with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam—originating in Melbourne’s Italian-Australian communities during the 1930s.

Hong Kong’s East-Meets-West Blend

Yuenyeung , a 1:1 mix of coffee and black tea, is sweetened with condensed milk. It’s served both hot and cold, and is so iconic that Starbucks in Hong Kong and Macau added it to their menus in 2010.

France, Ireland, and Café Culture

French coffee with milk typically includes espresso and steamed milk foam. In one Paris café, politeness even affects your bill.

Ireland’s famous Irish Coffee—created in 1942 to warm cold passengers—combines Irish whiskey, coffee, brown sugar, and topped with fresh cream.

Benelux and the Unexpected

The Dutch Koffie Verkeerd serves drip or espresso coffee with twice the amount of hot milk. Beware: a “Coffee Shop” in the Netherlands sells cannabis, not caffeine.

India and Colonial Coffee Rituals

Indian Kaapi (Filter Coffee) is made with 1 cup hot milk, 2 spoons of coffee powder, hot water, and sugar. The tradition stems from 17th-century coffee smuggling by Baba Budan, who brought beans from Yemen to India.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is egg yolk coffee and where does it come from?

Vietnamese egg yolk coffee, or Cà Phê Trứng, includes one egg yolk whisked with two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and poured over strong Vietnamese drip coffee. It’s a rich, velvety drink traditionally served hot.

How is an Americano different from drip coffee?

An Americano is made with 2 parts hot water to 1 part espresso. Drip coffee is simply brewed coffee using a drip machine, with no espresso involved. The two taste and are prepared quite differently.

Why do Italians only drink cappuccino in the morning?

In Italy, cappuccino is considered a breakfast drink. Italians typically drink it only in the morning and rarely after meals, preferring espresso later in the day.

What’s the traditional coffee ratio in a Flat White?

A Flat White consists of one shot of espresso combined with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam. The milk texture is smoother and less frothy than in a latte.

What makes Turkish coffee unique?

Turkish coffee is unfiltered and brewed with very finely ground coffee, water, and often cardamom. It’s served in a small cup with the grounds still settled at the bottom.

Why is Finland the biggest coffee consumer?

Finns consume around 10kg of coffee per person per year, the highest in the world. Coffee is deeply embedded in Finnish social and daily life.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Global Coffee Styles

For exploring global coffee recipes, try FrontStreet’s Classic Blend for balanced body and crema ideal in espressos like macchiatos or affogatos. The Black Cocoa Blend offers deep chocolate notes, perfect for Vietnamese egg coffee or milk-based drinks. For filter-style brews such as Indian Kaapi or Turkish coffee, the Strawberry Candy Espresso brings fruity brightness and complexity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.