How to Make Dessert Coffee

While the coffee machine you own might produce an exciting range of coffees, dessert deserves a little something extra, especially when the coffee is being enjoyed by some guests in lieu of a dessert dish. This article provides a few delicious suggestions for dessert coffees, and you will undoubtedly come up with more of your own variations.

EditIngredients

Georgia n' Ginger: Serves 6

• 1 can/450g-500g/1-1 1/4lb sliced peaches, in syrup
• 750ml/1 1/4 pints/3 cups strong coffee
• 120ml/4 fl oz/1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger, generous pinch
• Grated orange rind for garnish

Irish coffee: Serves 1

• 2 lumps/1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 measure (45ml/1 1/2 fl oz) Irish whiskey
• Hot, strong black coffee
• Cream

Coffee frappé: Serves 2

• 450ml/3/4 pint/2 cups chilled strong coffee, brewed (do not use instant coffee!)
• 8 drops vanilla extract (essence)
• 300ml/1/2 pint/1 1/4 cups crushed ice
• 60ml/4 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
• Whipped cream
• Slices of banana for garnish (optional)

Spiced Vienna coffee: Serves 2-3

• 3 cups strong, hot coffee, brewed
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cloves
• 4 allspice berries
• Whipped cream
• Nutmeg to garnish

Hot mint julep coffee: Serves 2

• 120-150ml/4-5 fl oz/1/2-2/3 cup Bourbon
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 450ml/3/4 pint/2 cups hot, strong black coffee, brewed
• 2 tbsp double (heavy) cream
• 2 fresh sprigs of mint

Vanilla dessert coffee: Serving depends on amounts used (at your discretion)

• Coffee
• Vanilla extract (essence), imitation or real
• Water
• Sugar
• Milk
• Heavy cream (double cream)
• For those who like ice cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream (optional)

EditSteps

Georgia 'n Ginger

This coffee originated in Georgia, a state renowned for its peaches.

1. 1
   Drain the peaches. Keep the syrup.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Place the peaches into the food processor or blender, along with half of the coffee. process or blend for 1 minute.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Whip the cream in a separate bowl.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Pour 1 cup of cold water into a saucepan. Add the sugar, cinnamon, ginger and the reserved peach syrup. Bring to the boil over medium heat.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 minute.
   
   
   
6. 6
   Add the pureed peach and coffee blend. Stir to combine.
   
   
   
7. 7
   Pour the coffee into individual mugs or glass mugs. Add whipped cream to the top of each coffee and a sprinkling of orange rind to garnish.
   
   
   

Irish coffee

A traditional dessert coffee, this one still manages to delight guests who like a little alcohol after dinner.

1. 1
   Place the sugar and Irish whiskey into a warm, tall stemmed glass.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Fill the glass two thirds full with the hot coffee.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Stir briefly. Then add the cream. To add, pour it over the back of a spoon––doing this ensures that the cream remains on the surface of the coffee.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Serve. In case guests want to know, inform them that this coffee is meant to be left alone and drunk through the layer of cream, rather than mixed in.
   
   
   

Coffee frappé

Perfect for warm nights, this is like a coffee milkshake and it's a little more exciting than plain iced coffee, although you could serve that too. And while this recipe uses vanilla extract, there is nothing stopping you from using different ones, such as maple, peppermint, strawberry, almond, etc.

1. 1
   Pour the chilled coffee into the blender.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Add the vanilla, ice and condensed milk. Blend until the mixture turns smooth.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Pour the coffee mixture into tall, clear glasses. Add sugar or other sweetener to taste.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Add whipped cream to the top. Balance 2 or 3 banana slices on top, if using. Serve.
   
   
   

Spiced Vienna coffee

This is a spicy coffee version, perfect for colder nights.

1. 1
   Pour the coffee into the saucepan. Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves and allspice berries. Simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Remove from the heat and strain to remove the spices.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Pour the simmered coffee into warmed glasses or mugs.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle nutmeg over the top of the cream.
   
   
   

Hot mint julep coffee

A variation on the traditional julep drink, Bourbon and mint are added to coffee for a warmer drink.

1. 1
   Warm two large wineglasses. Simply dip them into warm water for a few minutes and dry quickly in order to warm them up. Or retrieve them straight out of a just-finished dishwasher cycle.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Pour the Bourbon and sugar into the warmed wineglasses.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Pour in the hot coffee. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Add cream to the top. Pour this over the back of a spoon to ensure that it remains sitting on the surface of the coffee only. Do not stir.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Add a sprig or two of fresh mint for garnish. Serve.
   
   
   

Vanilla dessert coffee

This is a very simple dessert coffee that will take you half a minute to put together.

1. 1
   Measure the water according to instructions on the package.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Use 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla extract (essence) for every 2 cups of water.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Brew slowly and let the steam come out of the vents.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Once brewed, add sugar, milk, and heavy cream.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Stir through. It's now ready to serve; serve alongside a dessert dish that complements coffee.
   
   
   
   • If adding ice cream, do so before pouring in the coffee. The coffee needs to be poured at an angle down the side of the cup if using ice cream, to prevent it from melting too quickly.

Other coffee ideas for dessert

1. 1
   If none of the suggestions above meet your needs, here are some more possibilities for dessert coffee:
   • Arabic coffee
   • Turkish coffee
   • Greek coffee
   • Chocolate mint ground coffee
   • Black Forest mocha
   • Vanilla frappuccino
   • A coffee wallbanger
   • Caramel coffee
   • Cinnamon hazelnut coffee; and
   • Pumpkin flavored coffee.

EditTips

• For best results, use very cold water to brew all coffee.
• For a different and richer dessert, add a large scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream in a half-filled large mug of coffee; or just blend together for a great, easy shake.
• Dessert coffee can be garnished with ground cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg, chocolate sprinkles or grated chocolate, powdered chocolate (vanilla flavored chocolate is a good choice) or a dollop of whipped cream.

EditThings You'll Need

• Coffee pot or brewing facilities
• Teaspoon
• Serving cups/glasses of a large size or mugs; tall glasses are also suitable––always check that glassware can handle hot liquids
• Blender or food processor for some methods (ensure that there is sufficient space in the processor or blender)
• Saucepan for some methods