Coffea Arabica Spiced Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Ethiopian coffee brewed with aromatic spices, celebrating the cultural coffee ceremony experience. This african-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 15 minutes brings together water, pods cardamom pods, crushed, stick cinnamon stick for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 10 calories and feeds 2, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 African cuisine 10 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, lightly crush 4 cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 whole cloves to release their aromas.
  2. Step 2: Bring 2 cups water to a gentle boil in a small pot over medium heat.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 tablespoons medium roast Ethiopian coffee beans and the crushed spices to the boiling water. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pot from the heat and let the coffee steep with the spices for an additional 5 minutes to intensify the flavors.
  5. Step 5: Strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter into serving cups.
  6. Step 6: Add 1 teaspoon sugar per cup if desired and stir until dissolved. Serve hot, traditionally accompanied by roasted barley or popcorn.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Coffea Arabica Spiced Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brew take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Coffea Arabica Spiced Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brew?

Refrigerate any leftover coffea arabica spiced ethiopian coffee ceremony brew in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Coffea Arabica Spiced Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brew?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Coffea Arabica Spiced Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Coffea Arabica Spiced Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brew?

African cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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