Magic Coffee Recipes

If you’re a coffee drinker looking for a Magic Coffee drink recipe, we have three. Why not try them all? The first two are spiced cold brew coffee recipes, while the third is a secret menu item you can find in Melbourne, Australia, coffee shops. Our Magic Coffee recipes include ErinH’s Magic Coffee, Scandinavian Magic Coffee, and Melbourne Magic Coffee. 

ErinH’s Magic Coffee

There are several Magic Coffee recipes online that seem to have all come from the mysterious ErinH. Her cinnamon-spiced cold brew coffee recipe is a recreation of a drink from an equally mysterious local cafe.

Adding spices to a cup of coffee is popular in various countries like Mexico, where they add cinnamon; Morocco, where they add chai spices; and Turkey, where they add cardamom. There’s no reason you couldn’t try this recipe with spices other than cinnamon to make your own magic.    

ErinH’s Magic Coffee Ingredients

• ⅔ to 1 cup coarsely ground coffee
• 3 cups cold water
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar or 4.5 tablespoons brown sugar simple syrup
• Milk of choice, half and half, or creamer
• Ice

Method

1. If you’re using sugar instead of syrup, you will want to start by dissolving it in a small amount of hot water first.
2. Combine all ingredients except milk and ice in a quart jar or other covered container.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Fill a glass halfway with ice.
5. Using a fine sieve or cheesecloth as a filter, pour cold-brewed coffee into the glass until it is ¾ full. 
6. Add milk of choice, half and half, or creamer to fill the rest of the glass.

Scandinavian Magic Coffee

ErinH also mentions trying a Scandinavian variation of Magic Coffee that uses almond extract and ground fennel seeds instead of cinnamon. You’ll sweeten it with white sugar or maple syrup instead of brown sugar.  

We’re not sure how “Scandinavian” this coffee really is since there don’t seem to be other Scandinavian coffee recipes out there calling for fennel. You’re more likely to find an egg in your coffee in Scandinavia than fennel. However, we think you’ll still enjoy this Scandinavian Magic Coffee recipe no matter where it originated. 

Scandinavian Magic Coffee Ingredients

• ⅔ to 1 cup coffee beans, coarsely ground
• 3 cups cold water
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
• 3 tablespoons white sugar or 4.5 tablespoons simple syrup or maple syrup
• Milk of choice, half and half, or creamer
• Ice

Method

1. If you’re using sugar instead of syrup, you will want to start by dissolving it in a small amount of hot water first. 
2. Combine all ingredients except milk and ice in a quart jar or other covered container.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Fill a glass halfway with ice.
5. Using a fine sieve or cheesecloth as a filter, pour cold-brewed coffee mixture into the glass until it is ¾ full. 
6. Add your choice of milk, half and half, or creamer to fill the rest of the glass.

Melbourne Magic Coffee

Australia‘s Magic Coffee is more of a proper coffee drink. It originated in the Melbourne coffee scene as a hipster latte-like coffee beverage more likely to be a secret menu item than on the main cafe menu. However, most Melbourne coffee house baristas will know how to make you one if you ask. 

If you’re not familiar with Australian coffee culture, you might need a bit of a tutorial to explain some of the components of our Melbourne Magic Coffee recipe. One of the main ingredients is a sweeter and less bitter version of espresso called ristretto, making this drink more “magical” than a flat white. 

Melbourne Magic Coffee Ingredients

• 2 shots of ristretto
• ½ cup whole milk

Method

1. Add two shots of ristretto to a ceramic mug.
2. Froth ½ cup whole milk until it has a silky texture. 
3. Add the silky-frothed milk to the ristretto with a small layer of microfoam on top.

What is Ristretto? 

Ristretto is a type of espresso that you can make by pushing less water through coffee grounds in your espresso machine in a shorter amount of time (15-20 milliliters of espresso in 15 seconds vs. espresso’s 30 milliliters of espresso in 30 seconds). You will need to have a ristretto setting or adjust your espresso maker if you want to attempt ristretto at home. 

Ristretto is less caffeinated than a regular shot of espresso, but it also has a bolder flavor. Some people complain the taste is also under-extracted because of the shorter time the water is in contact with the coffee grounds. 

How Can I Make Australian-Style Frothed Milk?

Both milk and microfoam in Australian coffee drinks have a thick and silky texture with a creamy mouth feel. Whole milk produces a thicker and creamier foam for the most authentic experience. 

The key to silky milk froth is to add more air to the milk while it’s still cold. Your frothing wand should stay at least half an inch under the surface of the milk to avoid making large foam bubbles. If you do it correctly, the resulting milk will be silky and evenly smooth. 

Adding Some Magic To Your Coffee

Making magic coffee either requires spices, sugar, and time or learning to make ristretto and silky foamed milk. Whichever one you decide to try, we think it will add a little magic to your day.

Happy Caffeinating!