Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Inspired Spiced Coffee Latte

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

A fragrant spiced coffee latte inspired by the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, infused with cardamom and cinnamon. This african-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 10 minutes brings together strong brewed coffee, whole milk, ground cardamom 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 160 calories and feeds 1, 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: 5 min Serves 1 African cuisine 160 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Brew 1 cup of strong coffee using your preferred method and pour into a heatproof mug.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk with 1/4 tsp ground cardamom and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. Heat over medium heat, whisking frequently, until steaming and small bubbles form around the edges, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove the milk mixture from heat and whisk in 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until sugar dissolves.
  4. Step 4: Froth the spiced milk using a milk frother or by vigorously whisking for 1 minute until foamy.
  5. Step 5: Pour the frothed spiced milk over the brewed coffee, holding back foam with a spoon, then top with remaining foam.
  6. Step 6: Optionally, garnish with 2 tbsp whipped cream and a light dusting of cinnamon before serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 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 Latte?

Refrigerate any leftover ethiopian coffee ceremony-inspired spiced coffee latte 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 Latte?

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 Latte for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Latte?

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.