Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or a full-fledged caffeine connoisseur, the world of coffee is far richer and more diverse than just your usual latte or cappuccino. From Italy to Vietnam, cultures across the globe have perfected their own versions of this beloved brew. In this guide, I’ve handpicked the 25 most popular coffee drinks worldwide, complete with stunning pictures, traditional recipes, and personal insights—so you can enjoy these at home or on your next coffee-fueled adventure. You can learn How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee at Home: Barista-Approved Tips for Beginners.
1. Espresso (Italy)
Origin: Italy
Best For: Quick energy boost, coffee purists
A classic Italian invention, espresso is the backbone of many other coffee drinks. It’s a small but mighty shot of rich, dark coffee made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans at high pressure.
Recipe:
18–20g finely ground dark roast coffee
Extract a 1 oz shot in 25–30 seconds using an espresso machine
2. Cappuccino (Italy)
Origin: Italy
Best For: Mornings, balanced flavor lovers
A cappuccino is the ultimate balance of espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk—usually in a 1:1:1 ratio. Traditionally enjoyed in the morning in Italy, it’s now a global favorite.
Recipe:
1 shot of espresso
1/3 cup steamed milk
1/3 cup milk foam
Optional: sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon
3. Latte (France/Italy)
Origin: Popularized in Italy, name from French
Best For: Smooth and creamy coffee lovers
A latte is simply an espresso with a generous amount of steamed milk and a small amount of foam. It’s perfect if you like a creamier texture and less bitterness.
Recipe:
1 shot espresso
3/4 cup steamed milk
Light milk foam on top
4. Americano (USA)
Origin: USA (inspired by Italian espresso during WWII)
Best For: Those who prefer a lighter espresso
Americano is essentially a diluted espresso that mimics the texture of regular drip coffee but retains the bold espresso flavor.
Recipe:
1 shot of espresso
6–8 oz hot water
5. Flat White (Australia/New Zealand)
Origin: Australia/New Zealand
Best For: Those who like lattes but with more coffee flavor
Flat white is a velvety drink made with espresso and microfoam (steamed milk with tiny, silky bubbles). It’s stronger than a latte but smoother than a cappuccino.
Recipe:
1 double espresso (ristretto if possible)
1/3 cup microfoamed milk
6. Turkish Coffee (Turkey/Middle East)
Origin: Turkey / Middle East
Best For: Rich, aromatic, unfiltered coffee lovers
Brewed in a small pot called a cezve, Turkish coffee is strong, thick, and often sweetened. It’s unfiltered, so you’ll find grounds at the bottom of your cup.
Recipe:
1 cup cold water
1–2 tsp very finely ground coffee
Sugar to taste
Boil slowly, pour without straining
7. Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá)
Origin: Vietnam
Best For: Sweet tooths, iced coffee lovers
This unique coffee uses strong Robusta coffee and sweetened condensed milk, served over ice. It’s bold, sweet, and incredibly refreshing.
Recipe:
2 tbsp ground Vietnamese coffee (Robusta preferred)
2–3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Brew using a phin filter
Pour over ice
8. Café de Olla (Mexico)
Origin: Mexico
Best For: Spiced coffee fans, cozy fall mornings
Café de Olla is a spiced Mexican coffee traditionally brewed in a clay pot with cinnamon and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar).
Recipe:
2 cups water
2 tbsp ground coffee
1 small cinnamon stick
1–2 tbsp piloncillo or brown sugar
Optional: cloves or orange peel
9. Café au Lait (France)
Origin: France
Best For: French-style breakfast lovers
Unlike a latte, which uses espresso, Café au Lait uses strong brewed coffee (often from a French press) and equal parts hot milk.
Recipe:
1/2 cup hot strong coffee
1/2 cup steamed milk
10. Cortado (Spain/Portugal)
Origin: Spain/Portugal
Best For: Balanced coffee with minimal milk
Cortado means “cut”—as in espresso “cut” with a small amount of warm milk to reduce acidity without diluting the bold coffee flavor.
Recipe:
1 shot espresso
1 shot steamed milk (no foam)
11. Irish Coffee (Ireland)
Origin: Ireland
Best For: Evening sippers, boozy dessert lovers
Irish coffee is a cozy blend of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and a thick layer of cream on top. It’s often served as an after-dinner drink.
Recipe:
1 cup hot brewed coffee
1 ½ oz Irish whiskey
1 tsp brown sugar
Lightly whipped cream (float on top using a spoon)
12. Dalgona Coffee (South Korea)
Origin: South Korea (went viral globally in 2020)
Best For: TikTok lovers, whipped coffee fans
Dalgona coffee became a sensation for its Instagram-worthy layers. It’s creamy, fluffy, and surprisingly easy to make.
Recipe:
2 tbsp instant coffee
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp hot water
Whip until frothy
Pour over a glass of milk and ice
13. Café Bombón (Spain)
Origin: Spain
Best For: Sweet dessert lovers
This eye-catching drink combines equal parts espresso and sweetened condensed milk, layered beautifully in a glass cup.
Recipe:
1 shot espresso
1 shot sweetened condensed milk (poured gently for layering effect)
14. Affogato (Italy)
Origin: Italy
Best For: Coffee + dessert combo lovers
Affogato is the ultimate coffee-meets-dessert moment. A scoop of gelato “drowned” in hot espresso creates a bittersweet flavor explosion.
Recipe:
1 scoop vanilla gelato
1 shot hot espresso (poured directly over)
15. Kopi Luwak (Indonesia)
Origin: Indonesia
Best For: Adventurous coffee drinkers, rare coffee fans
One of the most controversial and expensive coffees in the world, Kopi Luwak is made from beans eaten and digested by civet cats, then collected, cleaned, and roasted.
Note: Only source from ethical, cruelty-free producers.
Taste Profile: Smooth, less acidic, with complex earthy notes.
16. Café Cubano (Cuban Espresso)
Origin: Cuba
Best For: Strong coffee and sweet foam lovers
This Cuban classic features espresso whipped with sugar into a sweet, syrupy crema called espuma—perfect for a midday jolt.
Recipe:
1 shot espresso
1–2 tsp sugar (whip with first drops of espresso to create espuma
17. Mazagran (Portugal/Algeria)
Origin: Algeria (popularized in Portugal)
Best For: Iced coffee with a twist
Mazagran is a unique iced coffee drink made with lemon, sometimes soda, and strong coffee. It’s tangy, bold, and very refreshing.
Recipe:
1/2 cup strong coffee (cooled)
Juice of half a lemon
Ice cubes
Optional: sugar or sparkling water
18. Ca Phe Trung (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)
Origin: Vietnam
Best For: Creamy, rich, dessert-like coffee fans
This decadent treat blends egg yolks with sweetened condensed milk to create a frothy, custard-like foam over strong coffee.
Recipe:
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp condensed milk
Whip until thick
Pour over hot Vietnamese coffee (Robusta works best)
19. Café Touba (Senegal)
Origin: Senegal
Best For: Spiced coffee lovers
Café Touba is a spicy and aromatic coffee infused with Guinea pepper (Djar) and sometimes cloves. It’s more than a drink—it’s a spiritual ritual.
Recipe:
Coarsely ground coffee
Djar (Guinea pepper)
Brewed in a large pot, strained, and served sweet
20. Café Zorro (Mexico/Spain)
Origin: Mexico / Spain
Best For: Bold coffee fans looking for a stronger Americano
Café Zorro is essentially a double espresso with an equal amount of hot water, making it bolder than an Americano but less intense than a straight double shot.
Recipe:
2 shots espresso
2 oz hot water (added after espresso)
21. Espresso Romano (Italy)
Origin: Italy
Best For: Citrus lovers, post-meal drinkers
Espresso Romano is a simple yet striking twist on a classic espresso—served with a slice of lemon or lemon zest. The citrus aroma brightens the coffee and enhances its flavor.
Recipe:
1 shot espresso
Slice of fresh lemon (rub around the rim or drop in)
22. Flat White (Australia/New Zealand)
Origin: Australia or New Zealand (debated)
Best For: Latte fans who prefer stronger coffee flavor
A Flat White is similar to a latte, but smaller and with a higher ratio of espresso to milk. The texture is silky thanks to microfoam, and the flavor is bold yet smooth.
Recipe:
2 shots espresso
4–6 oz steamed milk (with velvety microfoam)
23. Café au Lait (France)
Origin: France
Best For: Milder coffee drinkers, breakfast pairings
Café au Lait is made with equal parts hot brewed coffee and steamed milk. It’s commonly served in wide bowls in French households during breakfast.
Recipe:
½ cup strong coffee
½ cup steamed milk
24. Ristretto (Italy)
Origin: Italy
Best For: Espresso purists, intense flavor seekers
Ristretto is a short shot of espresso made with the same amount of coffee but half the water, resulting in a more concentrated and slightly sweeter taste.
Recipe:
7–9g finely ground coffee
0.5 oz water (extracted in 15–20 seconds)
25. Café de Olla (Mexico)
Origin: Mexico
Best For: Sweet, spiced coffee fans
Traditionally brewed in a clay pot (olla), Café de Olla is infused with cinnamon, cloves, and piloncillo (raw cane sugar). It’s aromatic, earthy, and comforting.
Recipe:
2 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
3–4 tbsp ground coffee
2 tbsp piloncillo or brown sugar
Optional: clove, star anise
Final Thoughts
Coffee connects cultures in a way few other things can. Whether you’re sipping a strong Turkish brew, enjoying a sweet Vietnamese iced coffee, or frothing milk for a cappuccino, you’re tasting history and passion in every cup.
Which one will you try first?
Leave a comment below and share your favorite coffee drink (or recipe twist) with the community!
FAQs
Q: Can I make these drinks without an espresso machine?
A: Yes! Use a Moka pot, AeroPress, or French press as alternatives.
Q: What’s the best milk for frothing?
A: Whole milk froths best, but oat milk is a great plant-based alternative.
Q: Where can I buy a Vietnamese phin filter or cezve?
A: Check Amazon, local specialty stores, or international markets online.
I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
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