Spice Up Your Day With This Delicious Spiced Coffee Recipe

Spiced coffee is a unique and flavorful twist on the classic cup of joe, and it is an ideal way to enjoy cold winter nights with a little sugar, spice, and all that’s nice. The best part about this coffee recipe is that it is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients.

The key to making the perfect cup of spiced coffee is to find the right balance of spices to complement the flavor of coffee without overwhelming it.

That is what I’ll help you with in this article, after experimenting with loads of spice combinations.

What Is Spiced Coffee? 

Spiced coffee is brewed coffee mixed with a specific blend of spices. Which ones exactly? Each recipe will use a different combination to complement the flavor of coffee, so it is a matter of taste which version you’ll like the most.

The most popular spices that combine well with coffee are:

• cardamom
• nutmeg
• cinnamon
• cloves
• ginger
• pepper
• star anise

You can use honey or sugar for the sweetness. 

The origin of spiced coffee has been a mystery until lately, and we now know that it was first made in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. Spiced coffee is still a popular drink in Ethiopia and other countries such as Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, and Kenya.

You may be surprised that the exact recipe for spiced coffee has likely been lost to history. However, the popularity of this aromatic coffee beverage was preserved and is still at its peak. 

In today’s world, there are a wide variety of recipes that combine the ingredients above to create unique flavors.

Here is my family’s favorite.

BigCupOfCoffee’s Spiced Coffee Recipe Ingredients

As I mentioned, mastering the art of flavor balancing is the key to a perfect cup of spiced coffee. The main ingredients are usually nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. Moroccan coffee recipes go all out by adding pepper and anise, while Ethiopian ones add cardamom.

The ingredients that do the trick for us at BigCupOfCoffee.com are:

• Freshly ground coffee beans, medium roast.
• Spice blend – Here is what I use, you can get all of these in powder form. Feel free to omit anything you don’t like:
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Cloves
  • Ginger
• Steamed milk or creamer (optional)
• Sugar or sweetener (optional) 
• Whipped cream (optional) 
• French Press or any drip coffee maker 

Steps to Make Spiced Coffee

1. Grind fresh whole coffee beans with a burr grinder. (Instant coffee is not a good choice with this recipe.)
2. Gather all the spices you will be using. If you need to, use a blade grinder to grind them down.
3. Thoroughly mix the ground coffee and spices before brewing.
4. Brew your coffee using your preferred method and technique. I generally use the French Press for this with these coffee-to-water ratios, but drip coffee also works well. Here is a comparison between pour-over vs. french press that you might want to read.
5. Add hot milk or creamer (optional)
6. Sweeten to taste with sugar or any other sweetener (optional)
7. Next, pour the coffee into your mug and slowly add the milk until it is three-fourths full. 
8. Enjoy. 

If you want to kick up a notch, try adding some whipped cream and sprinkle on some chocolate shavings. Your calorie count will suffer 🙂

You can also add a shot of espresso for that red-eye caffeine craving.

The only thing you need to be careful with is not to overdo the spices, or they will dominate the coffee flavor. Experiment with different amounts of spices until you find the perfect combination that fits your taste buds.

What Kind of Cup Should Spiced Coffee Be Served In?

While there are many ways to create spiced coffee, one crucial question remains: what kind of cup should one use to serve it? 

The answer may surprise you. 

While most people assume that you should use a round mug for any coffee recipe, the reality is that many prefer to drink spiced coffee out of a small bowl, as they do in Ethiopia. A small mug or bowl keeps the coffee warm for a longer time and enhances the aromas of the spices. 

But you know what?

Don’t worry about what kind of cup you use. As long as you are enjoying it, that is all that matters.

Tips for a Perfect Cup of Spice Coffee

You can follow the tips to ensure that this recipe becomes a favorite. 

• You can use and combine a wide range of ground spices, so don’t be shy. Experiment, and write down the mixture +teaspoon/tablespoonn amount you used for each ingredient, so you’ll know what recipes to keep. 
• Using fresh spices that you grind yourself ensures the best flavor, but pre-ground spices will also work. The difference is hardly noticeable, though, if you use high-quality pre-packaged ingredients.
• Start with a small amount of spices and increase it until you get the flavor you want.
• If you find a blend of spices that you love, mix a larger batch and store it in an airtight container, so you don’t need to fiddle mixing it each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make spice coffee, you can enjoy this delicious treat any time of year. Just remember to use fresh, quality ingredients.

Don’t hesitate to try different combinations and ratios of spices. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to create the perfect cup of spiced coffee every time.

Please let me know if you found a spice combo you love in a comment below!