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A close-up of traditional Cafe Cuba Drink being poured into white cups on a wooden tray, with a moka pot and green plant in the background.

Cafe Cuba Drink: How to Brew the Best Cuban Espresso


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  • Author: John Germanica
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 small cups 1x

Description

The cafe Cuba drink is a bold, sweet Cuban espresso brewed in a moka pot and stirred with sugar foam, known as espumita. This traditional drink is small, strong, and served hot in tiny cups after meals or as a midday pick-me-up.


Ingredients

Scale

4 tablespoons dark roast ground coffee (Cuban style, like Bustelo or La Llave)

4 teaspoons white granulated sugar

Cold water (enough to fill the bottom chamber of your moka pot)


Instructions

Step 1: Set up the moka pot

Pour cold water into the bottom chamber until it’s just beneath the pressure valve. Add freshly ground coffee to the filter basket, keeping the surface level but loose. Screw the top and bottom parts of the pot together snugly.

Step 2: Begin the brew

Place the assembled moka pot over medium heat. As the coffee starts to bubble up, capture the very first drips into a separate small cup.

Step 3: Whip up the espumita

Immediately stir those first drops with a few teaspoons of sugar, whipping vigorously until the mixture turns into a thick, golden foam.

Step 4: Complete the coffee

Once the rest of the coffee has finished brewing, pour it slowly into the espumita mixture. Stir softly to blend the flavors and foam evenly.

Step 5: Time to serve

Carefully pour the sweetened coffee into espresso cups. Serve right away while it’s hot and fragrant, with the creamy sugar foam floating on top.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Drinks
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 31 kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 0g