Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Spiced Coffee

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant, spiced coffee inspired by the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, gently brewed with cardamom and cloves for a rich aroma. This african-inspired cocktails & beverages ready in about 20 minutes brings together freshly ground Ethiopian coffee, water, lightly crushed green cardamom pods 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: 15 min Serves 4 African cuisine 5 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Order on Instacart →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil over medium heat. Add 4 lightly crushed green cardamom pods and 3 whole cloves, simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the spices.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 tbsp freshly ground Ethiopian coffee to the spiced water, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 4 minutes without stirring to allow grounds to settle.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and let the coffee grounds settle for 2 minutes. Pour carefully into cups, sweeten with sugar to taste, and serve immediately for a warming, aromatic experience.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 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 Spiced Coffee?

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

African cocktails & beverages 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

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →