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Fiaker from Austria

Fiaker

Fiaker is a beloved coffee drink, traditional to Austria. · Austria

★ 4.2
Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Reviewed by the WhatWhereVacay editorial team

Fiaker is a beloved coffee drink, traditional to Austria.

About Fiaker

Fiaker is a beloved coffee drink, traditional to Austria. It brings together cream and rum.

🏛️ History & Culture

The Fiaker is a classic Viennese coffee preparation, named after the city's horse-drawn carriage drivers (Fiaker). The drink's origins are closely tied to these drivers, who were said to have enjoyed it to warm up during their long shifts, though the exact invention story remains a matter of local lore rather than documented history. Typically, it consists of a double espresso served in a tall glass, fortified with a shot of rum—often Austrian Inländerrum—and topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

While the Fiaker is most strongly associated with Vienna, it is recognized throughout Austria as a warming, indulgent beverage, especially popular in colder months. It is a celebrated part of the Viennese coffee house culture, which itself is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The drink embodies the social ritual of lingering over a coffee, combining the robust coffee tradition with a spirited kick, making it a distinctive and beloved member of Austria's beverage repertoire.

🍳 How to make Fiaker

AI-assisted, not kitchen-tested

Fiaker (Austrian Rum Coffee)

Fiaker is a classic Viennese coffeehouse drink of strong black coffee, brown rum, and a generous crown of whipped cream, traditionally served in a glass with a handle so the hot coffee stays visible through the glass.

Prep
5 min
Cook
5 min
Total
10 min
Serves
1
Difficulty
Easy

Recipe ingredients

  • 120 ml (½ cup) hot strong black coffee, freshly brewed, Viennese or French roast
  • 1 tsp sugar, or to taste; optional
  • 30 ml (2 tbsp) brown rum (Inländerrum), Austrian 38–40% rum; dark Jamaican rum is the closest substitute
  • 60 ml (¼ cup) heavy cream, cold, at least 30% fat, not whipped
  • 1 pinch sugar, for sweetening the cream
  • 1 pinch fine salt, to stabilize and lightly season the cream

Steps

  1. 1 Warm a 200 ml (about 6¾ fl oz) glass coffee cup or mug by rinsing it with hot water and drying it.
  2. 2 Brew 120 ml (½ cup) of very strong black coffee and pour it into the warmed glass. Stir in 1 tsp sugar until fully dissolved, if using.
  3. 3 Stir in 30 ml (2 tbsp) of brown rum. Taste and adjust rum to your liking; traditional Fiaker is fairly spirit-forward.
  4. 4 In a separate chilled small jug or bowl, combine 60 ml (¼ cup) cold heavy cream with 1 pinch of sugar and 1 pinch of fine salt. Whisk by hand just until the cream thickens into a pourable, ribbon-like consistency — do not whip to stiff peaks. The cream should float as a soft white cap.
  5. 5 Gently pour the lightly whipped cream over the back of a warm spoon held just above the coffee so it lays in a thick layer on top.
  6. 6 Serve immediately while the coffee is hot and the cream is cool, without stirring. Sip through the cream for the classic Fiaker experience.
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Ingredients
Steps

Fiaker — frequently asked questions

What is Fiaker?

Fiaker is a beloved coffee drink, traditional to Austria. It brings together cream and rum.

What is Fiaker made of?

Fiaker is made with cream and rum.

Where does Fiaker come from?

Fiaker comes from Austria. The Fiaker is a classic Viennese coffee preparation, named after the city's horse-drawn carriage drivers (Fiaker).

Where can I eat Fiaker?

Austrian coach drivers sip Fiaker from short glasses at marble-topped café tables in Vienna, stirring the rum into the coffee as a mid-morning pause.

How do you make Fiaker?

Making Fiaker at home takes about 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking. The recipe on this page serves 1 and is rated easy. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.

→ More traditional dishes from Austria

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