Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Coffee Blend

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant coffee blend inspired by the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, enriched with warming spices like cardamom and cinnamon. This african-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 15 minutes brings together whole coffee beans, medium roast, pods green cardamom pods, crushed, 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 4, 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 4 African cuisine 5 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, lightly crush 4 green cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick broken into pieces, and 3 whole cloves.
  2. Step 2: Grind 1/2 cup medium-roast whole coffee beans coarsely in a coffee grinder.
  3. Step 3: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil over medium heat. Add the crushed spices and reduce heat to low, simmering for 5 minutes to infuse the water.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in the ground coffee beans. Let steep for 4 minutes without boiling.
  5. Step 5: Strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter into cups.
  6. Step 6: Sweeten with sugar to taste if desired. Serve immediately, savoring the warm, spiced aroma reminiscent of an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Coffee Blend 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 Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Coffee Blend?

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

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 Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Coffee Blend for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Coffee Blend?

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.

Equipment for this recipe

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