21 Must-Try Coffee Drinks from Around the World
(Full Disclosure)
If you’re a coffee lover with a serious case of wanderlust, you’ve probably wondered what coffee drinks from around the world taste like beyond your local café.
From bold brews in Vietnam to sweet sips in Italy, every country has a unique spin on this beverage.
As a lifelong coffee enthusiast and travel blogger who’s sipped espresso in Rome and shared Turkish coffee in quaint cafes, I’ve made it a mission to discover the most memorable cups across the globe.
This post is for fellow travelers who crave new flavors, cultural connections, and unforgettable caffeine experiences.
Ready to take your taste buds on a world tour? Let’s dive into 21 must-try coffee drinks you’ll want to add to your bucket list.
Your Passport to Caffeine with International Brews
1. Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee is famous for its thick and strong texture, often served in small cups with a side of sweet Turkish delight.
It is brewed in a special pot called a cezve, where finely ground coffee beans, water, and sugar are simmered over low heat.
The result is a rich and robust coffee with a distinct flavor that is best enjoyed slowly.
When you get to the end of the cup, you will see sludge. Unlike mushroom coffee, you should not want to drink it!
2. Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Vietnamese Egg Coffee is a unique blend of espresso, condensed milk, and egg yolk, creating a creamy and sweet coffee that is perfect for your sweet tooth.
The egg yolk is whisked with the condensed milk to create a frothy and velvety texture, which is then poured over a shot of espresso. The result is a decadent coffee that is best enjoyed as a dessert.
3. Ethiopian Coffee
In Ethiopia, coffee is more than just a drink. It is a symbol of hospitality and community.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a traditional ritual where coffee beans are roasted, ground, and brewed in front of guests, creating an aromatic and flavorful coffee experience.
The ceremony is a symbol of friendship and respect, where guests are welcomed with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and snacks.
4. Greek Frappe
Greek frappe is a popular iced coffee drink that originated in Greece in the 1950s.
It is a simple drink made with instant coffee, water, sugar, and milk, all shaken together in a cocktail shaker or blended in a mixer until it becomes frothy and creamy.
5. Italian Affogato
Affogato is a popular dessert in Italy, made by pouring a shot of espresso over a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream.
The warm espresso melts the ice cream, creating a heavenly combination of flavors and textures. Affogato is often enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat after a meal.
6. Cafe Con Leche
Cafe Con Leche is a traditional coffee beverage in Puerto Rico, made by mixing strong coffee with scalded milk.
The result is a rich and creamy coffee with a strong flavor that is perfect for those who prefer a bold coffee experience.
Cafe Con Leche is often enjoyed as a breakfast beverage or a midday pick-me-up.
7. Colombian Tinto
Tinto is a classic coffee beverage in Colombia, made by brewing finely ground coffee beans in hot water.
The result is a simple coffee with a clean taste and a smooth finish. Tinto is often enjoyed as a morning beverage or a midday pick-me-up and is a staple in Colombian households.
8. Café Bombón (Spain)
A visually striking drink made by combining sweetened condensed milk and espresso in equal parts. Served in a glass to show the layered effect.
9. Kaffeost (Sweden/Finland)
Translates to “coffee cheese.” Hot coffee is poured over cubes of cheese (leipäjuusto)—a traditional treat in the far north.
10. Mazagran (Portugal)
An early iced coffee innovation—made with espresso, lemon juice, and sometimes rum, and poured over ice.
11. Flat White (Australia/New Zealand)
A smooth blend of espresso and micro-foamed milk, creamier than a latte with less froth. Now global, but originally down under!
12. Cafe Touba (Senegal)
Spiced with Guinea pepper and cloves, this very aromatic coffee is a staple in Senegalese households and street stalls.
13. Eiskaffee (Germany)
A dessert-like drink made with cold coffee, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream—popular in the summertime.
14. Yuenyeung (Hong Kong)
A unique mix of coffee and milk tea, this East-meets-West beverage is popular in Hong Kong cafés.
15. Buna (Ethiopia)
More than a drink—it’s a ritual. Buna is traditionally prepared during Ethiopian coffee ceremonies with roasted beans and served in three rounds.
16. Cafe de Olla (Mexico)
Brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) in a clay pot, giving it a rich, earthy flavor.
17. Café au Lait (France)
Made with equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk—a gentler alternative to espresso-based drinks.
18. Ristretto (Italy)
A short shot of espresso, using less water for a more concentrated and bold flavor.
19. Pharisäer Kaffee (Germany)
Coffee spiked with rum and topped with whipped cream. It was created to sneak alcohol past prying eyes.
20. Indian Filter Coffee (South India)
Strong dark-roast coffee brewed using a metal filter, then mixed with hot milk and sugar, served in a dabarah and tumbler set.
21. Ipoh White Coffee
This drink is made in Malaysia and originates from Ipoh—coffee beans are roasted with palm oil margarine and brewed with sweetened condensed milk for a caramel-like flavor.
22. Café Cubano
The cafe cubano is made in Cuba. It is a delicious but potent espresso sweetened with demerara sugar as it brews, creating a creamy foam called espumita.
23. Spiced Coffee
This is made in Morocco with a North African twist. It is brewed with cardamom, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and nutmeg for a fragrant, spicy experience.
Summary of Coffee Drinks
Coffee Recipes
We have recipes on the blog that are very easy to make. Give them a try!
Final Thoughts About Coffee Drinks from Around the World
In conclusion, there is a rich history of coffee and the beverage is enjoyed by people all around the world, with each country having its unique coffee traditions and drinks.
From the strong and bold to the sweet and creamy, coffee offers endless possibilities for taste and creativity.
Exploring different coffee drinks from around the world is not only a way to experience new flavors but also a way to appreciate the diverse cultures and traditions of different countries.
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