Fiaker

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.