Classical Viennese Coffee Specialities
In an essay the Viennese writer Hans Weigel once described the difference in meaning of the two ways to pronounce the word “coffee” in German, “Káffee” and “Kaffée”: While the stress on the first syllable refers to the beverage itself, the stress on the second syllable refers to a complete lifestyle. One characteristic feature of this lifestyle is – amongst others – the imaginative names of the Viennese coffee specialties, which are traditionally referred to as either “white” or “black” coffees.
The "white" coffees:
Der Braune (small or big “brown” coffee)
Aromatic black espresso served with coffee cream. If you wish you may also order the cream apart in a separate jug. This way of serving is referred to as “séparée”. Until the mid-20th century the “brown coffee” was also referred to as “a cup of gold”.
Melange
The cup is first filled half way up with coffee and afterwards topped with hot frothy milk. The coffee comes with a topping of foamed milk.
Franziskaner
Basically a Melange which, however, is topped with whipped cream instead of foamed milk.
Kaffee verkehrt
Is a very light milk coffee served in a glass. It is referred to as “verkehrt” (literally “reversed”) because it contains more milk than coffee. In Italy it is known as Caffè Latte.
The "black" coffees:
Der Mokka (small or double mocha)
Pure espresso, which can also be ordered as ”kleiner Schwarzer“ (small black) or ”großer Schwarzer“ (large black). The large black is also called double mocha.
Einspänner
An aromatic double mocha topped with whipped cream and served
with a wafer stick.
Überstürzter Neumann
Whipped cream is filled into a coffee cup. A double mocha, which is served separately, is poured over the cream right at the guest’s table.
Fiaker
A delicious double mocha with a lacing of kirsch. It is traditionally served in a handled glass topped with whipped cream and a Maraschino cherry.
Maria Theresia
A double mocha with a lacing of Cointreau topped with whipped cream and candied orange peel.
Franz Landtmann Kaffee
Double mocha with a lacing of brandy and coffee liquor, topped with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.
Mozart Kaffee
A double mocha topped with whipped cream which comes with a small bottle of Mozart liquor.
Kaffee Sobiesky
A strong double mocha which comes with honey and a small glass of vodka served separately.
Der Türkische (Turkish coffee)
Finely ground Türk Kahvesi is brewed with sugar in a copper pot steadily stirring it. It is traditionally served with the Turkish sweet lokum.
Wiener Eiskaffee (Viennese iced coffee)
A double mocha is poured over delicious vanilla ice-cream. It is served with a whipped cream topping, a coffee bean and a wafer stick.
The Glass of Water
In classical Viennese cafés it is a tradition to serve each cup of coffee with a glass of water to refresh the palate and bring out the delicious taste of the coffee.
