Strong & Sweet: How to Make Cuban Coffee

Coffee is a staple of Cuban culture, shared in homes and cafes across Cuba, South Florida, and beyond. Because of its incredible flavors and enormous caffeine kick, many are discovering this wonderful treat and making a cup of their own for the very first time.

Are you ready to brew yours? Let Mystic Monk Coffee show you how to make Cuban coffee, so you can change up your routine and discover a new way to enjoy your morning brew.

Types of Cuban Coffee You Can Make

Before we dive into how to make Cuban coffee, there are a few different types we should talk about:

Classic Café Cubano

First and foremost is the Cafe Cubano, also called a colada or cafecito. This type of Cuban coffee is made with espresso, the first few drops of which are mixed with sugar to create a sweet foam that the rest of the shot is poured onto. This is among the most common forms of Cuban coffee, though you’ll find a few variations with subtle differences.

Cafe Con Leche

Translated simply as "coffee with milk," a café con leche is an espresso shot served with a cup of hot or steamed milk. A traditional part of a Cuban breakfast, this irresistible beverage is made by adding your desired amount of espresso into the milk and stirring it up. Simple and tailored to your taste, café con leche just sounds like a great way to start the day.

Cortadito

A cortadito is simply an espresso topped with steamed milk. The ratio of espresso to milk can differ according to your preferences. For some, an even 50/50 amount works, while those who seek a bigger hit of caffeine and a bit of sweetness prefer a 75/25 amount with more espresso than milk. This delicious drink lets you enjoy the full, bold flavor of your espresso while the milk reduces the acidity and adds a touch of sweetness, too.

How to Make Cuban Coffee Traditionally

Now, it's time to get to the main topic of this article: learning how to make a smooth, sweet, bold cup of Cuban coffee. Let's start off with the necessary tools and ingredients. Here's what you need:

Espresso Maker (or Moka Pot)

Among the primary things you will need is a stovetop espresso maker. Already have an espresso machine at home? You can still make Cuban coffee, but Moka pots are more common and easier to use for most coffee lovers.

A Wide-Mouth Cup

This could either be a glass measuring cup or a creamer cup. The purpose is to have a separate container where you can mix your coffee and sugar together (more on this later).

Cuban Espresso

For an authentic experience at home, you’ll want to get an Italian or Spanish-roasted brand of coffee. Some common ones you can find at your local market are Cafe Bustelo, Cafe La Llave, or Cafe Pilon. You can go even further by getting our Italian/Spanish-roasted coffee beans and grinding them down to a fine espresso.

Consider also trying one of Mystic Monk Coffee's dark-roasted coffees. Whether it's our Cowboys or Midnight Vigils Blends, you'll get a bold, flavorful cup of Cuban-style coffee.

Granulated Sugar

Last but not least, you're going to need sugar (but not how you’re picturing it). While you would commonly put sugar in your coffee once everything is brewed, a traditional Cuban coffee uses it in a much different way, which we will explain in a bit. Of course, you can make your own modifications, like trading white granulated sugar for brown sugar (or vice versa).

Steps to Making Cafe Cubano (Cuban Coffee)

Please note: This recipe is for six servings of Cuban coffee.

1. Fill the bottom of your espresso maker with water and ground coffee.
2. In the measuring cup, add around four tablespoons of granulated sugar.
3. Once it is finished, pour a few drops of the brewed coffee onto the sugar.
4. While the espresso maker continues to brew, stir the coffee-sugar mixture. It will blend into a pale, thick sugar paste/foam, called the "espumita."
5. Once the espresso maker is finished brewing, pour the brewed espresso or dark roast coffee into the measuring cup. Slowly pour and stir the sugar foam and coffee together.
6. Once they're nicely blended, serve immediately and enjoy.

Dishes That Pair With Cuban Coffee

Now that you have your Cafecito cubano, it's a good idea to prepare an equally flavorful dish to go along with it! Some dishes that are often paired with Cuban coffee include:

• Cuban Toast: Slices of buttered, toasted Cuban bread, which is known to be on par with French baguettes. From cup to plate, it's simple and delicious.
• Pastelitos: Cuban pastries filled with sweet fillings, such as cream cheese, guava jam, pineapple, or coconut. Other recipes include more savory fillings, such as ham and cheese, beef, and chicken. Imagining it, we'd say any of these would go perfectly with a nice cup of Cuban coffee.
• Croquetas de Jamon: Deep-fried ham croquettes, a crispy, tasty snack from Spanish cuisine. They go perfectly with a bold, sweet cup of Cuban coffee, any time of day.

Enjoy the Perfect Cup of Coffee, Whether From Cuba or Mystic Monk Coffee

Cuban coffee isn't just one more excellent way to make a cup of coffee. It's an expression of Cuban culture, something small and meaningful to share with your family and friends. It's a quick pick-me-up before a hard day's work, and it's a sweet treat to enjoy while you unwind.

Mystic Monk Coffee is run by Carmelite monks who see the long-standing traditions of coffee-making as a blessing to share with the world. Our artisans work daily to produce the very best blends and roasts using the finest methods available. We also create handy accessories for coffees and teas, including travel mugs, coffee vaults, and more.

Browse our selection of coffees today and discover new flavors to enjoy, just like your next brew of Cafe Cubanos.