Rüdesheimer coffee is Germany’s answer to Irish Coffee. Instead of whiskey, this Hessian drink features Asbach Uralt – along with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and vanilla sugar. And in case you didn’t know, Asbach Uralt is a traditional German brandy with a deep, fruity flavor profile.
Sounds kind of… well, intense and old-fashioned, right? But that doesn’t mean this classic coffee specialty isn’t worth checking out. And if we take a closer look at the coffee recipe, it quickly becomes clear that this hot drink isn’t quite as antiquated as it sounds.
Coffeeness Medium Roast Espresso
Well-balanced with chocolate & hazelnut notes
Freshly roasted in Brooklyn
Very low acidity
Table of Contents
What Is Rüdesheimer Kaffee?
Rüdesheimer Kaffee is an alcoholic coffee specialty from Hesse, Germany. The drink is primarily a warming beverage that, much like Irish coffee or hot toddy, is particularly popular on cold winter days.
History: From Marketing Gimmick to Specialty Coffee
The Hessian wine town of Rüdesheim is the hometown of Asbach Uralt. But nobody knew anything about this type of brandy. The manufacturer, Asbach, wanted to change that and, in the 1950s, commissioned the then-famous German television chef Hans Karl Adam to create a coffee specialty using its brandy.
Price: How Much Does Rüdesheimer Coffee Cost?
If you’re visiting Germany, expect to pay around 5-6 euros at a café. If you make it yourself in the U.S., a bottle of Asbach Uralt – at around $25 – isn’t exactly cheap either. But just like with coffee beans, paying a premium for a good product is to be expected.
Recipe & Ingredients: What Goes Into a Rüdesheimer Coffee?
Above all, a Rüdesheim coffee needs brandy. And plenty of it. Put simply, a 1.5-ounce (44-milliliter) shot of German cognac packs enough punch to hold its own against an equally generous amount of cream, sugar and filter coffee.
Ingredients
7 ounces (200 milliliters) filter coffee
1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) Asbach Uralt (or other brandy)
3 sugar cubes
1.7 ounces (50 milliliters) heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chocolate sprinkles
How to Make Rüdesheimer Coffee
While other classics like Irish coffee involve simply layering the ingredients on top of each other, making Rüdesheimer requires more than just brewing coffee and sprinkling on some sugar.
In fact, you should also have matches on hand and familiarize yourself with fire safety regulations. Because this drink is flambéed!
Method
Prepare the drip coffee (make it as strong as possible).
Whip the cream.
Heat the brandy in a double boiler or in the microwave. Be careful not to let it boil, or the alcohol will evaporate!
Add the brandy to a preheated coffee cup or heat-resistant glass.
Dip the sugar cube in the brandy, place it on a spoon over the cup, and flambé the sugar.
Add the sugar to the brandy and stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved. Add a little vanilla extract to give the coffee drink more flavor.
Pour in the freshly brewed coffee.
Top it all off with a dollop of vanilla whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.
When making the coffee, I recommend using your best coffee maker, a pour-over dripper or a French press. In general, I also recommend using a little less water, increasing the brew time slightly and opting for a slightly darker roast. After all, we need a pick-me-up!
The Best Coffee Beans for Rüdesheimer Coffee
Asbach Uralt has a mildly sweet flavor with fruity, nutty notes. Nevertheless, it has a distinctly alcoholic taste.
That’s why you should opt for a dark roast when choosing coffee beans. Even though this original winter warmer calls for filter coffee, I can also recommend a version made with espresso.
The concentrated kick is already built in here, so you can easily adapt the recipe for a small coffee cup and fire up your fully automatic or home espresso machine. Go ahead and fill your hopper with my Coffeeness Espresso Blend. Trust me, you’ll be in for a real treat.
The Best Rüdesheimer Coffee Cups
In German coffee houses that value tradition, this alcoholic coffee drink is served in a Rüdesheim coffee cup. Although tradition is a relative concept. The cup was actually invented by the brandy producer Asbach, who also created the hot beverage itself.
Of course, hot coffee with a shot of liquor tastes great in a simple coffee cup, my double-walled glasses or any other container for that matter. It just has to be heat-resistant – otherwise, it’s best to flambé the sugar next to the coffee cup.
Double Walled Thermo Coffee Glasses
Enjoy your coffee drink hot for longer
Keeps your coffee warm longer
Made of robust borosilicate glass
Rüdesheimer Coffee Variations
If you like to experiment, you can of course tweak the Rüdesheimer recipe to your taste. Instead of Asbach, you can add cognac like Chantré, brandy or rum. You can replace the cream with milk foam, skip the sugar, adjust the steeping time or the amount of water and so on. The world is your oyster!
If you want it sweeter, you can, for example, drop a piece of chocolate into the hot Rüdesheimer and let it melt. Nut brittle, caramel or even a whole batch of brownies are also perfectly acceptable. For inspiration, I have three variations for you to try.
Rüdesheimer Coffee With Espresso
If you prefer stronger coffee, you can replace the filter coffee with a double espresso. The general preparation method is the same. However, I’d recommend using a little less whipped cream to maintain the right balance.
Cold Coffee Creation: Iced Rüdesheimer Kaffee
Is Rüdesheimer also delicious as an iced coffee? It doesn’t hurt to give it a try. The best part: You don’t have to flambé anything here, but you can make your own vanilla ice cream, for example.
Ingredients
7 ounces (200 milliliters) filter coffee
1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) Asbach Uralt (or other brandy)
3 sugar cubes
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
1.7 ounces (50 milliliters) heavy cream
Grated chocolate
Method
Brew the filter coffee and add three sugar cubes while it’s still hot.
Let the coffee cool in the fridge.
Pour the Asbach brandy into a glass.
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pour in the cold coffee.
Top the iced coffee with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Vegan Rüdesheim Coffee
Just because you don’t eat animal products doesn’t mean you have to go without Rüdesheimer and similar drinks. Simply replace the cream with a plant-based alternative. Oh, and according to the label, Asbach is definitely vegan.
Bottom Line: Coffee With a Little Something Extra Is Always a Good Idea
It’s no secret that coffee and alcohol go very well together. With that said, not every coffee recipe hits the mark. Personally, I find Rüdesheimer a bit too much, but if you like Spanish coffee, Irish coffee and the like, this coffee with a shot will be right up your alley.
Have you tried Rüdesheimer coffee? What do you think – will it go viral? Feel free to leave me a comment!
FAQs
Rüdesheimer coffee is a traditional German alcoholic coffee drink with Asbach Uralt brandy, sugar and whipped cream.
The most popular coffee in Germany is filter coffee.
Germany’s equivalent of Irish coffee is Rüdesheimer kaffee.
