Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Ethiopian Coffee

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

A fragrant, spiced Ethiopian coffee brewed traditionally with cardamom and cloves for a rich, aromatic experience. This african-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together whole Ethiopian coffee beans, lightly crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves 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 5 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 African cuisine 5 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toast 3 tbsp whole Ethiopian coffee beans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, shaking frequently until fragrant and slightly darkened but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Grind the toasted coffee coarsely using a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder.
  3. Step 3: In a small pot, bring 2 cups water to a near boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Step 4: Add the ground coffee, 4 lightly crushed cardamom pods, and 3 whole cloves to the water. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring once.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let sit for 2 minutes to allow grounds to settle.
  6. Step 6: Pour carefully into small coffee cups, sweeten with sugar to taste if desired, and serve immediately as part of a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Ethiopian Coffee take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Ethiopian Coffee?

Refrigerate any leftover coffee ceremony-inspired spiced ethiopian coffee 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 Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Ethiopian Coffee?

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 Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Ethiopian Coffee 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 Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Ethiopian Coffee?

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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