In the event you’ve made any of our earlier recipes, you’ll know we adore to be additional. Whipped cream, chocolate curls, and making other espresso syrups from scratch—we’re all about that.
However once in a while, it’s great to experience a no-frills, back-to-basics drink. Input the Portuguese café com cheirinho.
What Is Café Com Cheirinho?
Café com cheirinho is without doubt one of the highest espresso cocktails from Portugal. The direct translation of its identify from Portuguese is “Espresso with Scent,” however don’t let that put you off. It refers to the truth that café com cheirinho is made by way of including a little of wine, fruit, or pomace brandy – the odor – to Bica, Portuguese espresso.
Be informed extra about Portuguese espresso beverages on this video:
The café com cheirinho is normally loved as a digestive after a heavy meal, very similar to the Portuguese Galao or the Mexican carajillo. However if in case you have room, those well-liked espresso beverages also are nice with conventional muffins, like a bolo de amendoa or a pastéis de nata.
Form of Espresso Utilized in Café com Cheirinho
Café com cheirinho is historically made the usage of Portuguese bica espresso. Bica is very similar to an coffee however with higher quantity, extra like an Italian lungo. Portuguese baristas maximum frequently use a gloomy or medium roast mix of Arabica and Robusta beans for the brew.
The Robusta espresso beans supply depth and an additional caffeine spice up, and the Arabica lends delicacy and nuance to the cup.
Café com cheirinho may also be made with robust brewed espresso as you can get from an Aeropress or Moka pot. Sweeteners, milk, or cream are by no means added.
Kinds of Alcohol Utilized in a Café com Cheirinho
The commonest alcohol alternatives are aguardente bagaceira, aguardente de medronhos, or wine. Aguardente is a generic Portuguese time period for robust spirits; the direct translation is firewater. The alcohol will also be added to the espresso or, much less often, served along.
Richard Thomas, a contributor at Chilled Mag, explains the attraction of Portuguese aguardente (1).
The wines at the back of those Portuguese spirits are in most cases moderately drinkable in and of themselves, so it’s a excellent wager that even an unaged aguardente will likely be awesome to a related brandy.
Aguardente Bagaceira
Aguardente bagaceira is utilized in maximum cafes to make café com cheirinho. Aguardente bagaceira is made with grape pomace, which is the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes when they’ve been pressed for wine.
Aguardente de Medronhos
Aguardente de medronhos is any other well-liked selection for café com cheirinho. It’s comprised of fermented medronho berries. Equivalent to strawberries, those end result are picked, mashed, and saved humid till they ferment (2). The ensuing liquid is distilled to a fine quality spirit. There may be little nationwide legislation, so aguardente de medronho will also be anyplace from 42% to 56% alcohol by way of quantity.
Ultimate Ideas
In the event you’re on the lookout for a back-to-basics digestive after a heavy meal, the café com cheirinho would possibly hit the spot. With scorching brewed espresso and “firewater” spirits, it’s a heat and comfy option to wind down the day.
Have you ever attempted café com cheirinho? Tell us your ideas by way of losing a remark beneath or in our House Grounds Fb workforce.
FAQs
Which is the most productive brewing means for Café com Cheirinho?
The most productive brewing means for café com cheirinho is an coffee device. However in case you don’t have one at house, any robust brewed espresso will paintings. An Aeropress, Moka pot, or French press can produce a suitably robust cup.
Are you able to use different forms of liqueurs or spirits?
Sure, you’ll use different forms of liqueurs or spirits. Despite the fact that aguardente bagaceira and aguardente de medronho are the standard alternatives, don’t be afraid to experiment and use what you prefer. You’ll be able to craft an atypical and scrumptious café com cheirinho by way of pairing the alcohol with the flavour profile of the espresso.
Are you able to garnish the Café com Cheirinho with whipped cream?
Sure, you’ll garnish the café com cheirinho with whipped cream, regardless that it isn’t conventional. You received’t in finding it served this fashion in Portugal. If you need a candy deal with, a extra unique possibility is to pair your café com cheirinho with a creamy dessert.
References
- Thomas, R. (2020, July 9). Get to Know Aguardente, Portuguese Fireplace Water. Chilled Mag. https://chilledmagazine.com/get-to-know-aguardente/
- Medronho – Portugal’s native firewater. (2021, March 19). Theportugalnews.com. https://www.theportugalnews.com/information/2021-03-19/medronho-portugals-local-firewater/58870
