Café Royal
Brandy · Irish coffee mug
A French classic — strong black coffee spiked with cognac and sugar, sometimes flamed. A tableside show at Parisian bistros circa 1830.
| Glass | Irish coffee mug |
| Garnish | None |
| ABV | 12% |
| Category | hot |
| Flavor | coffee, warm, historic, elegant |
Ingredients
- Cognac1 oz
- Hot Black Coffee5 oz
- Sugar Cube1 piece
- Lemon Peel1 twist
Method
- Brew strong black coffee and pour into warmed mug or glass
- Place sugar cube on flat spoon, saturate with cognac
- Hold spoon over coffee and ignite cognac with match
- Let flame burn 10 seconds, then drop sugar cube in and stir
- Garnish with lemon peel expressed over the top
Pro Tips
- Warm the spoon over the coffee for 10 seconds before igniting — cold spoon = weak flame.
- Use a dark-roast coffee; the cognac overpowers mellow blends.
- Extinguish the flame by dropping the sugar into the cup — don't blow; you'll splash burning alcohol.