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Author:
Franco Salzillo
Traditional drinks are the best. Those specialties passed from generation to generation, and that you can only find in specific parts of the world. That’s the Rüdesheimer coffee, and it’s as tasty as it’s hard to pronounce.
Rüdesheim is a town along the Rhein River. This is wine country, so people have a refined palate. You can tell because their coffee is extraordinary.
Of course, people don’t grow coffee in such high latitudes, but they surely source some of the best worldwide. Once folks at Rüdesheim get their hands on some nice Arabica, they brew it and blend it with brandy. Here’s all you need to know.
The hardest item to find if you want to make Rüdesheim coffee at home is Asbach Uralt brandy. The fantastic brandy is a clear liqueur, and it’s been around since 1892.
You might not know Asbach Uralt brandy, but it’s one of the most popular brands in Germany. The dry, hard spirit is of excellent quality, and it’s often used in mixed drinks, including coffee.
You’ll also need some sugar for this one and a cooking torch! Flambéing the brandy, meaning setting it on fire is required in order to liven the coffee cocktail, and it’s part of the show as well.
Please be careful. Flaming brandy is tons of fun, but it’s super dangerous as well. It is not easy either; the brandy won’t light up until it has warmed up nicely, so be patient and torch that brandy until it bursts into flames. Start with a spoonful of brandy, then light the whole thing with the inflamed spirit.
Did you know people serve the traditional Rüdesheimer coffee in special porcelain mugs? These beauties are great souvenirs, and some people order the drink for the mug alone.
If you don’t have one of these, use a regular coffee cup instead. Just make sure it’s heat resistant, and we mean a mug that can withstand a flamed drink. If you’re unsure if your cup can take the heat, pour the coffee straight away to extinguish your beverage.
Add the ice cubes into two heat-resistant mugs. Pour in the brandy.
Using a cooking torch or a long kitchen lighter, flame until the brandy catches fire.
Mix carefully with a bar spoon until the sugar cubes have dissolved.
Extinguish the flame by pouring the coffee into the mugs.
Garnish with whipped cream and cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.
