Ingredients
Coffee
- 150 mlstrong hot black coffee, freshly brewed
Spirit
- 40to 60 ml brännvin, or plain vodka
Sometimes added
- 1sugar cube
- a strip of lemon peel
The traditional method
- 1copper or bronze coin, scrubbed clean
Directions
- Bring water almost to the boil, add coarse grounds and take it off the heat. Let it stand for four minutes and let the grounds settle.
- Pour it carefully so the grounds stay in the pot. Now assembling it, which takes seconds.
- Warm the cup with hot water and pour it out. Add the sugar cube to the cup if you want it sweetened.
- Pour in the hot coffee, which will dissolve the sugar.
- Pour in the measured spirit and stir once. Do not heat the mixture after the spirit goes in.
- Add a strip of lemon peel if you want the aroma. Treat it as a strong drink, because it is one.
- Serve it hot, in a small cup, sipped slowly.
Technique
- The coin method is real but measures nothing reliably; measure the spirit properly instead.
- Brew the coffee much stronger than usual, since it disappears under the spirit.
- Coffee masks the alcohol and caffeine masks its effects, so treat it as a strong drink.
Substitutions
- Plain vodka in place of brännvin.
- Aquavit for a caraway-spiced version.
Variations
- Norwegian karsk, made with moonshine and weaker coffee.
- With a sugar cube dissolved in, which many prefer.
- With aquavit in place of neutral spirit.
History
An old Swedish country custom: a coin was dropped in, coffee poured until it vanished, then spirit added.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kaffekask?
Kaffekask is a cocktail from Sweden: hot coffee strengthened with brännvin or vodka. An old Swedish country custom: a coin was dropped in, coffee poured until it vanished, then spirit added.
How long does Kaffekask take to make?
Kaffekask takes 2 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking. The recipe makes 1 cup. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Kaffekask?
Yes, within limits. Plain vodka in place of brännvin. Aquavit for a caraway-spiced version.
What is the most important thing to get right in Kaffekask?
Pour in the measured spirit and stir once. Do not heat the mixture after the spirit goes in.
