Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Spiced Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon

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

A fragrant Ethiopian-style coffee brewed with freshly ground beans, cardamom, and cinnamon for a warm and aromatic experience. This ethiopian-inspired african ready in about 15 minutes brings together teaspoon ground cardamom, cinnamon stick, water 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 is portion-balanced and feeds 3, 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Ethiopian cuisine
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Using a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder, grind 1/4 cup whole Ethiopian coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine 3 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
  3. Step 3: Remove the cinnamon stick and add the freshly ground coffee to the spiced water, stirring briefly.
  4. Step 4: Lower the heat and simmer the coffee mixture for 5 minutes without boiling to let the flavors infuse.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let the coffee grounds settle for 2 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Carefully pour the coffee through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter into cups to strain out the grounds.
  7. Step 7: Sweeten with sugar to taste if desired, and serve immediately for a warm, aromatic beverage.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Spiced Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon 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-Spiced Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon?

Refrigerate any leftover ethiopian coffee ceremony-spiced coffee with cardamom and cinnamon 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 with Cardamom and Cinnamon?

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 with Cardamom and Cinnamon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 with Cardamom and Cinnamon?

Ethiopian african 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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