How to Make an Authentic Rüdesheimer Coffee with Asbach Brandy and Cream

Want to know how to make an authentic Rüdesheimer coffee? You just need Asbach German brandy and three other simple ingredients. This wonderful, sweet coffee is an iconic beverage to try when visiting the picturesque town of Rüdesheim on Rhine River in Germany. However, with this recipe, you can now make it at home!

You may remember that my mother and I had an incredible experience on the Enchanting Rhine River cruise with AmaWaterways last year. You can read all about our wonderful European river holiday.

Disclosure: my mother and I were hosted on the AmaWaterways Enchanting Rhine River cruise. All opinions are solely my own.

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One of the highlights of our cruise was visiting the quaint, cobblestoned town of Rüdesheim. Besides our informational and entertaining wine tasting experience in the afternoon, we had unforgettable evening tasting our first authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.

What is Rüdesheimer Coffee?

The authentic Rüdesheimer coffee drink was created by Hans Karl Adam in 1957, a German television chef. It is a sweet, brand and coffee beverage topped with whipped cream and chocolate. 

How is Rüdesheimer Coffee Made?

The hot beverage contains three sugar cubes, local German Asbach brandy which is heated and set alight. (I was able to find this brandy at my local liquor store.)

Strong coffee is added next, and the drink is then topped with a vanilla sugar sweetened cream and chocolate shavings. It is a hot and creamy, delicious treat!

Love unique coffee drinks? Try the Bicerin from Turin, too!

On our excursion, I loved to see the Rüdesheimer coffees being made right in front of us. Because there was a group of us from the AmaWaterways cruise, it was even more spectacular. We watched as the waitresses prepared over 20 cups at once!

I also watched the bartender make this Irish coffee when I was last in Dublin, Ireland!

I was so taken with this exceptional coffee drink that I bought one of the special Rüdesheimer coffee cups and saucers online when I came home. When I was visiting my cousin in England, I was so excited to find another cup and saucer at an antique shop!

I cannot recommend the AmaWaterways Enchanting Rhine River cruise enough. Everything was top notch and all of the excursions, like the one into charming Rüdesheim, were all planned for us (and included in the cruise).

I love my Priority Pass membership!

Here is the original recipe, along with step by step photos, for this unique coffee beverage.

Authentic Rüdesheimer Coffee Recipe

original recipe by Hans Karl Adam                 (makes one serving)

Full Printable Recipe Below

Special equipment (optional) – Rüdesheimer coffee cup and saucer (a regular heatproof coffee mug is fine)
– long spoon

Place the sugar cubes into the mug. Heat the brandy in the microwave for about 30 seconds then pour onto the sugar cubes.

Using a long match, carefully light the brandy in the mug.

Stir with the long spoon. (If the flame doesn’t extinguish after a minute, place a plate over the top of the cup.)

Make the coffee.

Pour the coffee into the cup with the sugar and brandy.

Finally, top with the slightly sweetened whipped cream and chocolate shavings. You have now made an authentic Rüdesheimer coffee!

This is a perfect drink to have in front of a fireplace, or with friends and family over the holidays. I hope you decide to give it a try, as I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Serve with some zimtsterne (German cinnamon stars) during the yuletide season!

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