Vienna Coffee
What is Vienna Coffee?
Vienna Coffee, or Viennese-type coffee, is a unique type of coffee that originated in Vienna, Austria in the 19th century. It’s a strong espresso-style coffee topped with whipped cream and sometimes flavored with cocoa, cinnamon, or other spices. The combination of espresso and whipped cream creates an intense and creamy flavor that is both sweet and savory.
About Vienna Coffee
| Coffee Base | espresso |
| Added Water | yes – 1:1 espresso and added hot water |
| Coffee : Milk Ratio | n/a |
| Type of Milk | whipped cream only |
| Cup | glass espresso cup |
| Supplies | espresso, whipped cream |
| Sugar or Added Flavors | optional (the sweetness comes from the whipped cream) |
| Notes | you don’t need an expensive espresso machine, as there are optional espresso-making methods like the Nespresso machine, Moka pot, AeroPress, or cezve |
How To Make a Viennese-Style Coffee
The basic Vienna coffee is easy to make as long as you have access to an espresso maker (or Nespresso machine, Moka pot, AeroPress, etc.).
- Start with 1 or 2 shots of espresso (if you don’t have an espresso machine, scroll down for espresso-making options) in a beautiful cup or mug
- Add 1 to 2 ounces of hot (200°) water
- Give it a quick stir
- Top with a very generous portion of whipped cream – Vienna coffee is all about the whipped cream! (see tip below)
- Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon or cocoa powder on top – or chocolate curls, or a cinnamon stick is even better!
Tips
- You control the strength of your coffee with the addition of the hot water (it’s like making a stronger Americano).
- If you like your coffee sweet, you can always over-sweeten your whipped cream or add sugar before you add your delicious whipped cream topper.
- Make homemade whipped cream in a flash with a milk frother. A few tablespoons of heavy cream, a spoonful of sugar (confectioners is the best), and a drop or two of vanilla round out the flavor. Put your ingredients in a mug and use the frother – no need to drag out a hand mixer, especially if you’re only making one serving.
btw – Yes, you can use canned whipped cream. But homemade only takes a few minutes and is sooo good!
Spillin’ the Beans Espresso Making Alternatives
The Best Presentation for Serving
When serving Vienna Coffee, it’s best to use ceramic mugs or glass cups with handles to maintain the drink’s temperature while allowing for easy handling at the same time. Glass cups showcase the beauty of the two-layered beverage. But, for those looking for an extra special touch, try using porcelain cups decorated with gold accents that are often seen in Viennese cafes today.
Espresso con Panna is Italy’s take on Austria’s Vienna Coffee. However, you don’t dilute the espresso with hot water.
Recipe: How To Make Chocolate Viennese-Style Coffee (with a kick!)
Chocolate Viennese Coffee
Ingredients
- 2 oz espresso
- 2 oz hot water
- 1/2 shot creme de cacao
- 1/8 c heavy cream
- 2 tsp confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Combine the heavy cream and sugar in a mug or bowl and whip until soft peaks form – you can use a whisk, hand beater, or even a milk frother
- Prepare 1-2 shots of espresso (depending on how your preferred strength
- Add the hot water and creme de cacao to the espresso and combine (Note: make sure the water is very hot, as the whipped cream will cool the drink quickly)
- Put dollops of whipped cream on top the coffee and garnish with cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or a cinnamon stick
Notes
Spillin’ the Beans Espresso Making Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Vienna Coffee is a yummy, rich treat that consists of espresso, slightly diluted with hot water and topped with an equal amount of homemade whipped cream.
You could use quite a few different styles of cups for Vienna coffee. However, to showcase the beauty of this two-layered drink, we recommend a glass mug (with or without a handle).
Italy’s Espresso con Panna is similar to Austria’s Vienna Coffee in that they both use espresso and whipped cream. However, Espresso con Panna is made with undiluted espresso.
Traditional Viennese Coffee has some cocoa powder or chocolate shavings on top but doesn’t feature chocolate in the main list of ingredients. However, Vienna coffee with cocoa, creme de cacao, or some type of chocolate syrup is a common variation.
