20 Must-Try Classic Coffee Beverages From Around the World
Coffee is one of the few beverages that exists in almost every culture, yet no two regions prepare it the same way. From strong, short extractions to slow-brewed traditions and sweet, creamy rituals, each country’s version reflects its climate, history, and personality.
This guide highlights 20 classic coffee beverages from around the world — each with its own identity, craft, and cultural story. Whether you’re exploring cafés or brewing from home, these iconic styles form the foundation of global coffee culture.
1. Espresso (Italy)
The backbone of modern coffee culture.
A short, intense extraction that forms the base of countless drinks.
2. Cappuccino (Italy)
Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
A morning ritual across Italian cafés.
3. Flat White (Australia/New Zealand)
Silky microfoam and a double shot of espresso.
A favourite for those wanting bold flavour without heaviness.
4. Café au Lait (France)
Hot coffee with steamed milk.
Simple, elegant, and often enjoyed with pastries.
5. Turkish Coffee (Turkey)
Finely ground coffee simmered in a copper cezve.
Thick, aromatic, and unfiltered — a drink steeped in ritual.
6. Vietnamese Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnam)
Dark roast coffee drip-filtered over condensed milk and ice.
Strong, sweet, and highly addictive.
7. Greek Frappé (Greece)
Iced instant coffee shaken into a frothy drink.
A summer staple since the 1950s.
8. Japanese Iced Coffee (Japan)
Hot-brewed coffee flash-chilled over ice.
Bright, refreshing, and incredibly aromatic.
9. Café Cubano (Cuba)
Espresso whipped with sugar into a sweet, crema-like foam.
Strong, energetic, and symbolic of Cuban hospitality.
10. Cortado (Spain)
Equal parts espresso and warm milk.
Balanced and smooth, perfect for slow afternoons.
11. Irish Coffee (Ireland)
Hot coffee mixed with Irish whiskey, sugar, and cream.
A classic that blends comfort with warmth.
12. Hong Kong Yuen Yeung (Hong Kong)
Half coffee, half milk tea.
A bold hybrid born from Hong Kong’s café culture.
13. Moroccan Spiced Coffee (Morocco)
Coffee brewed with cardamom, clove, and cinnamon.
Fragrant and infused with soft spice.
14. Café de Olla (Mexico)
Cinnamon- and piloncillo-sweetened coffee brewed in a clay pot.
Rustic, cosy, and full of character.
15. Affogato (Italy)
Espresso poured over vanilla gelato.
Dessert meets caffeine — simple and universally loved.
16. Ethiopian Buna (Ethiopia)
Part of a traditional ceremony.
Lightly roasted beans pan-fired, ground, and brewed in a jebena.
17. Café Bombón (Spain)
Layered espresso and condensed milk.
Visual and flavour symmetry in a small glass.
18. Thai Oliang (Thailand)
A blend of coffee, corn, rice, and sugar served over ice.
Complex and nostalgic for many Southeast Asians.
19. Americano (USA)
Espresso diluted with hot water.
Born during WWII when American soldiers wanted coffee closer to drip style.
20. Café con Leche (Latin America)
Strong coffee with scalded milk.
A comforting breakfast staple across many Latin regions.
Final Thoughts
These 20 classics reflect the diversity of global coffee traditions — from bitter and bold to sweet and creamy, from ceremonial to everyday. Each one offers a glimpse into the culture that created it. Together, they form a world map of how people find comfort, energy, and connection in a cup.
