Viennese Coffee Recipe: A Must-Try Austrian Drink

Austria is a beautiful country to visit if you have the chance. But if a vacation isn’t in the budget, treat yourself to Vienna coffee instead. This delightful drink pairs rich espresso with a substantial layer of whipped cream for a simple but indulgent drink. It is available in most coffee shops and easy to make at home.

Let’s learn all about it in this short guide.

What is Viennese Coffee?

Many coffee drinks are popular in the Austrian capital of Vienna, but ‘Vienna coffee’ usually refers to espresso topped with abundant whipped cream and sprinkled with cocoa powder. They serve it in a tall glass with a handle.

In Vienna, this drink is the Einspänner, the German word for a one-horse carriage. Once upon a time, this drink was designed for the city’s carriage drivers. The handled glass made it easy to hold and drink while driving and the layer of whipped cream served to keep the espresso warm during chilly Vienna evenings.

Viennese Coffee Shop Culture

Vienna is known worldwide for its vibrant coffee shop culture, and it forms an integral part of the national identity. UNESCO even award the Vienna coffee house the designation of Intangible Cultural Heritage (1). Going to a Viennese cafe is an experience to be appreciated and savoured, not a place to grab a coffee to go.

Anthony Cournia, who runs an American cafe designed in the Austrian model, explains the concept (2).

Viennese coffee houses typically boast a long list of drinks, many unique to the country. Along with the Einspanner, popular orders include the Melange, the Kleiner Schwarzer and Grosser Schwarzer, and the Franziskaner. Espresso drinks are traditionally served formally on a silver platter, always accompanied by a small glass of water to cleanse the palate.

A Viennese Coffee Recipe

Many recipes for Viennese coffee call for chocolate similar to a mocha, but this is not a part of the authentic drink. It can be served either hot or iced.

How to Make Vienna Coffee

Now, here’s our step-by-step guide on how to make Viennese aka Vienna coffee.

1. Combine two shots of espresso and hot water.

Combine the double shot of espresso and the hot water in a glass with a handle. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use 118 ml of strong brewed coffee, as in this video recipe, which uses a Moka pot:

2. Whip the cream.

Whip using a whisk or electric egg beater until it has stiff peaks. Add the optional powdered sugar to the cream as you whip it for the sweetened whipped cream.

3. Put the whipped cream over the espresso.

Top the espresso with whipped cream so that the layer of cream is about equal in size to the layer of coffee.

4. Sprinkle your drink with cocoa powder.

Finish it off with a dusting of cocoa powder or some chocolate shavings.

If you’re into combining chocolate-coffee, here are more drinks you can enjoy:

• Marocchino Coffee: What is It + Recipe
• Espressino Coffee Recipe: Coffee and Chocolate
• Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Recipe

Viennese Coffee vs. Espresso con Panna

Of the many different coffee drinks, espresso con panna is the most similar to Viennese coffee. It means “espresso with cream” in Italian and depending on the preparation; it can be identical to a Viennese coffee. Indeed, in many regions outside of Italy, an espresso con panna is known as a Viennois.

The espresso con panna is a single or double espresso topped with an equal amount of whipped cream. Compared with a Viennese coffee, the espresso in an espresso con panna is never diluted with water, and brewed coffee isn’t a valid substitute.

Final Thoughts

Although it tastes decadent, Viennese coffee is a simple drink to make at home. It’s an easy way to enjoy a taste of the famous Viennese coffee culture without breaking the bank on a flight to Austria. We recommend enjoying it as you would in Vienne. Take your time, savour the experience, and perhaps indulge in an accompanying strudel or piece of Sachertorte.