Café Royale
CLASSIC · COGNAC

Café Royale

A 19th-century French café habit, often attributed to Napoleon's officers and impossible to verify.

Ingredients
Cognac30 ml
Hot Strong Coffee120 ml
Sugar Cube5 ml
Glassware
Heatproof mug
Chilled.
Method
  1. 1

    Pour hot black coffee into a warmed mug.

  2. 2

    Rest a bar spoon across the rim and place a sugar cube in the bowl of it.

  3. 3

    Pour the cognac over the sugar until it is soaked.

  4. 4

    Ignite the spoon carefully and let it burn until the sugar starts to caramelise, about 15 seconds.

  5. 5

    Lower the spoon into the coffee to extinguish it and stir once.

From the Bartender

A 19th-century French café habit, often attributed to Napoleon's officers and impossible to verify. It is the same idea as the Café Brûlot with all the spice stripped out — quicker, quieter and a better use of a good cognac.

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