Café Brûlot

Café Brûlot Recipe - A Classic French Flambé Coffee Experience

Region / culture: France | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 5 minutes | Servings: 8

Introduction

Café Brûlot is a traditional New Orleans coffee drink that is not only delicious but also a showstopper with its flaming presentation. This recipe combines the flavors of citrus, cinnamon, cloves, and brandy with hot coffee for a unique and unforgettable experience.

History

Café Brûlot has its origins in New Orleans, where it is often served as a festive and celebratory drink during the holiday season. The name "brûlot" comes from the French word for burnt, referring to the flaming presentation of the drink.

Ingredients

8 sugar cubes
zest of 1 orange
zest of 0.5 lemon
1 small stick of cinnamon
0.5 tsp of whole cloves
0.5 cup of brandy or bourbon
3 cups of hot, freshly brewed dark roast coffee, preferably with chicory

How to prepare

Rub sugar cubes with orange and lemon zest.
Place a sugar cube in each of 8 demitasse cups or small mugs.
Heat cinnamon stick, orange and lemon zests, cloves, and brandy together in a chafing dish.
Flame the mixture by igniting it with a long match, and carefully add hot coffee.
Stir, and ladle the mixture into the prepared cups.

Variations

For a non-alcoholic version, you can omit the brandy and simply add the hot coffee to the spiced citrus mixture. You can also experiment with different spices like cardamom or star anise for a unique flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to use caution when flaming the brandy in this recipe. Always have a fire extinguisher nearby and never pour alcohol directly from the bottle into an open flame. Use a long match or lighter to ignite the brandy carefully.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Café Brûlot as a special after-dinner drink at your next dinner party or holiday gathering. Pair it with a dessert like beignets or bread pudding for a classic New Orleans experience.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making a great Café Brûlot is in the presentation. Be sure to heat the brandy mixture until it is warm but not boiling before igniting it. The flaming process should be done quickly and carefully to avoid any accidents.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have bourbon on hand, you can use rum or cognac as a substitute. You can also adjust the amount of sugar cubes to suit your taste preferences.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the spiced citrus mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Simply reheat the mixture before adding the hot coffee and flaming the brandy.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Café Brûlot in clear glass demitasse cups to showcase the flaming presentation. Garnish each cup with a twist of orange or lemon peel for an elegant touch.

Pairing Recommendations

Café Brûlot pairs well with rich and decadent desserts like chocolate mousse or crème brûlée. The warm and spicy flavors of the drink complement the sweetness of the dessert perfectly.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Café Brûlot is best enjoyed fresh and hot. It is not recommended to store or reheat the drink once it has been prepared.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Calories: 120 per serving

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: 8g per serving

Fats

Fats: 0g per serving

Proteins

Proteins: 0g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This recipe is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals.

Alergens

This recipe contains alcohol (brandy) and may not be suitable for individuals with alcohol allergies.

Summary

Café Brûlot is a low-calorie drink with minimal carbohydrates and fats. It is a suitable option for those looking for a lighter coffee beverage.

Summary

Café Brûlot is a classic New Orleans coffee drink that is as delicious as it is impressive. With its fiery presentation and bold flavors, it is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Café Brûlot. It was a chilly winter evening, and I had invited some friends over for a cozy dinner. As we sat around the table, sipping on our after-dinner coffee, one of my guests pulled out a small notebook and began flipping through the pages.

"What's that you've got there?" I asked, leaning in to get a better look.

"It's a recipe for Café Brûlot," she replied, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I thought we could try making it tonight."

I had never heard of Café Brûlot before, but I was intrigued. As she read through the ingredients and instructions, I could feel my excitement growing. The combination of coffee, brandy, and spices sounded like the perfect way to warm ourselves up on a cold winter night.

We quickly gathered the necessary ingredients and got to work. As we heated the brandy in a small saucepan, the scent of cinnamon and cloves filled the air, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in my kitchen. Once the brandy was warm, we carefully lit it on fire, watching as the flames danced and flickered before our eyes.

As we added the coffee and sugar to the pot, the flames subsided, leaving behind a rich and fragrant brew that promised to be nothing short of delicious. We poured the Café Brûlot into small cups and took our first sips, savoring the warm, spicy flavors that seemed to envelop us in a comforting hug.

From that moment on, Café Brûlot became a staple in my repertoire of recipes. I would make it for special occasions, like holiday gatherings or dinner parties, always delighting my guests with its unique and flavorful taste. Over the years, I perfected the recipe, tweaking the proportions of spices and brandy to suit my own taste preferences.

But it wasn't just the taste of Café Brûlot that made it special to me. It was the memories that were associated with it - the laughter and camaraderie of friends gathered around my kitchen table, the warmth and comfort that it brought to our hearts on cold winter nights. Each time I made Café Brûlot, I was transported back to that first evening when I discovered the recipe, feeling that same sense of wonder and excitement all over again.

As I grew older, I made sure to pass down the recipe for Café Brûlot to my children and grandchildren, sharing with them the joy and magic that this simple yet elegant drink brought into my life. I taught them how to carefully light the brandy on fire, how to savor each sip of the warm and spicy brew, and how to create their own memories around this beloved recipe.

And so, Café Brûlot became more than just a drink to me. It became a symbol of love, friendship, and tradition - a reminder of the joy that can be found in a simple recipe shared with those we hold dear. And every time I make it, I am reminded of that sense of wonder that first sparked my love for cooking and brought me on a journey of culinary discovery that I will always cherish.