8 best coffee drinks from around the world you’d love to try 

Italian Espresso gets its distinct flavour from the roasting of coffee beans, which is carefully monitored to strike a fine balance in taste (Image: Canva)

• Global coffee traditions offer unique flavors and methods.
• Espresso, Café au Lait, and Turkish coffee are iconic styles
• Indian filter coffee and Vietnamese iced coffee are bold and sweet.

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For many, coffee is more than just a beverage. It’s an everyday ritual that brings comfort and delight. Originally from Ethiopia, coffee is now enjoyed across the globe, as much as tea, but it holds on its own with the cultural spin that many countries give it.

From brewing techniques to the addition of frothy, steamed milk and more, there is a story or tradition behind every preparation. Here are some of the best coffee drinks from around the world that are worth trying…

Italian Espresso

This concentrated shot of coffee is highly enjoyed by Italians at neighbourhood coffee bars. It gets its distinct flavour from the roasting of coffee beans, which is carefully monitored to strike a fine balance between acidity, sweetness, and bitterness. Though strong, it has a smooth, velvety aftertaste.

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Turkish coffee is made with a very fine coffee ground, where the water is boiled thrice in the brewing process (Image: Canva)

French Café au Lait

This one is highly enjoyed at breakfast in France. It’s made in the ratio of one part coffee to one part steamed milk. The coffee has a smooth, less intensive flavour than an Italian espresso. It’s traditionally served in oversized mugs or bowls without the top foam.

Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is made with a very fine coffee ground, where the water is boiled thrice in the brewing process. It is served unfiltered in thin-rimmed, decorative cups. The traditional beverage is known for its thick texture, strong flavour, and rich foam. It’s also often sweetened before brewing.

Vietnamese Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Iced Milk Coffee)

Vietnamese coffee is often spoken about for its strong burst of flavour. It is brewed through a metal drip filter and poured over ice and condensed milk. Enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike, it offers a bold, sweet hit that is both unexpected and refreshing for the taste buds.

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Mexican Café de Olla

The traditional coffee is loved for its taste, and is prepared by brewing ground coffee with cinnamon-infused water and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar). It is made in clay pots, and known for its rustic flavours and beautiful aroma.

Australian Flat White

It is a smooth drink that contains a double shot of freshly brewed espresso and milk, and comes with a light, velvety microfoam. It is enjoyed for its strong flavour, which is balanced by milk. A perfect flat white is enjoyed by many Australians and New Zealanders alike.

Indian Filter Coffee

Indian filter coffee is strong, aromatic coffee brewed using a traditional metal filter. To enhance the flavour, the decoction is mixed with hot milk and sugar and served in a traditional steel tumbler and saucer. For the coffee to become frothy and aerated, it is continuously poured from one vessel to another.

Spanish Bombón

This one is famous as it combines coffee and condensed milk. The espresso is poured over condensed milk, making it an enriching and delightful drinking experience. Bombón is served in a clear glass to show the distinct layers that don’t mix due to the difference in their density.