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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!

How to make authentic Rudesheimer coffee

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.

Rudesheim, Germany

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 to make authentic Rudesheimer coffee

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.)

How to make authentic Rudesheimer coffee with brandy and cream 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!

bicerin close up

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!

Stirring the flaming brandy in authentic Rüdesheim coffee.
Stirring the flaming brandy in the authentic Rüdesheim coffees.

Rüdesheim coffee night in Germany with AmaWaterways!

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

Irish coffee at a pub in Dublin

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!

How to make authentic Rudesheimer coffee

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).

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

How to make authentic Rudesheimer coffee

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.

pouring brandy over sugar cubes in cup

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

How to make authentic Rudesheimer coffee

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

stirring an authentic Rudesheimer coffee

Make the coffee.

Miele coffee machine making coffee

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

pouring coffee in a cup

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

How to make authentic Rudesheimer 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.

How to make authentic Rudesheimer coffee

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

zimtsterne with beer stein

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How to make authentic Rudesheimer coffee

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

Yield: 1 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 6 minutes

A traditional German coffee drink from Rudesheim.

Ingredients

  • 3 sugar cubes
  • 40 ml (1 1/3 oz) Asbach Uralt brandy (or another dry brandy)
  • 120 ml (4 oz) strong brewed coffee
  • whipped cream (sweetened with a little vanilla sugar)
  • chocolate shavings

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Stir with the long spoon until the sugar has completely dissolved. (If the flame doesn't extinguish after a minute, place a plate over the top of the cup.)
  3. Pour the coffee into the cup with the sugar and brandy.
  4. Finally, top with the slightly sweetened whipped cream and chocolate shavings. You have now made an authentic Rüdesheimer coffee!

Notes

  • Make this non-alcoholic by omitting the brandy.
  • Skip the cream to make it dairy-free.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 249Total Fat: 7gCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

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how to make an authentic rudesheimer coffee

Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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35 Comments

  1. Has no one else noticed how similar this recipe is to the one for Irish Coffee. The latter was created at a famous cafe in San Francisco five years earlier.

        1. Hi Andrea, I don’t sell anything, but I would check eBay.co.uk and find the best price on the ones being sold on there. I have also found one in a charity shop in Battle in the past, so keep your eyes peeled! :) Good luck!

  2. Just returned from Germany and had this amazing Rudesheimer Expresso while sitting on the Rhine River.
    Excited to now have recipe and will plan to make for my company.
    Thank you.

    1. Isn’t that the best, Florrie? I’m so glad you experienced the area and the Rüdesheimer coffee while you were there. I’m sure your company is going to love them, too! Thanks for your note! CC

  3. I bought a set of these beautiful German coffee mugs 34 years ago on a college trip to Germany! I happened to find your article today and learned all about the mugs and the special coffee drink that I need to make. I’m thrilled to have learned the history of these mugs and now I treasure them even more! Thank you!