HOW TO MAKE CUBAN COFFEE
A cuban coffee, café cubano or cafecito are all Cuban versions of espresso or a strong dark coffee, mixed with an espuma or sweet, frothy crema. The drink can be brewed at home with a few simple ingredients and in a variety of coffee makers.
Café Cubano is a social beverage people enjoy drinking with friends and family for breakfast, a late afternoon “pick-me-up” or after dinner. A “colada” is the ultimate social version of this coffee. This 4 ounce Cuban espresso drink comes in a large styrofoam cup with smaller cups for sharing with friends.
YIELDS1
4-6 servings
1 Exact yields will vary based on recipe
INGREDIENTS
Filtered water
Dark, medium ground roast
- 2 tablespoons white, brown or demerara sugar
TOOLS
Drip coffee maker
Bowl or cup for mixing espuma
Whisk
- Espresso cups
- KitchenAid® burr coffee grinder (for freshly ground beans)
If using a super-automatic espresso machine, the grinder may be omitted.
BREWING TIME
10 minutes
TOTAL TIME
15 minutes
STEP 1: PREPARE COFFEE
Using 6 ounces of filtered water and one tablespoon of finely ground coffee, brew coffee.
STEP 2: MAKE ESPUMA
When the coffee begins to brew, use approximately one tablespoon of coffee from the first few tablespoons brewed and whisk vigorously with ¼ cup of sugar until a caramel-colored foam appears.
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE DRINK
Divide the espuma evenly between 4-6 espresso cups, top with the coffee, stir and enjoy.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINE METHOD:
YIELDS2
2 servings
2 Exact yields will vary based on recipe
INGREDIENTS
Filtered water
28-32 grams finely ground roast (freshly ground whole beans or pre-ground coffee)
2 tablespoons white, brown or demerara sugar
TOOLS
Semi-automatic espresso machine
Bowl or cup for mixing espuma
Whisk
- Espresso cups
- KitchenAid® burr coffee grinder (for freshly ground beans)
If using a super-automatic espresso machine, the grinder may be omitted.
BREWING TIME
Less than 2 minutes
TOTAL TIME
5 minutes
STEP 1: PULL ESPRESSO SHOT
Tamp 10-12 grams of finely ground fresh or pre-ground coffee beans into the portafilter, select 1 shot and brew.
STEP 2: MAKE ESPUMA
Pour 1 tablespoon of espresso from first shot into sugar and whisk vigorously with 2 tablespoons of sugar until a caramel-colored foam appears. You can’t over-whisk, so don’t be afraid to put some muscle into your whisking.
STEP 3: PULL 2 ESPRESSO SHOTS
Prepare 2 more espresso shots.
STEP 4: ASSEMBLE DRINK
Divide the espuma evenly between 2 espresso cups, top with the espresso, stir and enjoy.
TIP: WHISKING
Whisking the espuma by hand can be accomplished with a hand whisk but a KitchenAid® hand blender can also quickly help create the creamy foam.
SHOP KITCHENAID® COFFEE AND ESPRESSO MAKERS
Whether you’re brewing the perfect cup of coffee or pulling shots of espresso for an espresso martini, the KitchenAid® Coffee Collection and the KitchenAid® Espresso Collection have all the tools you need to create robust coffees and rich espressos at home. Discover the KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Milk Frother Attachment, the first residential espresso maker that features dual, smart temperature sensors to maintain the perfect brewing temperature shot after shot. Pair it with a KitchenAid® burr coffee grinder that delivers consistent grinding every time—and you have just what you need to create delicious lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos and more in your very own kitchen.