If you’ve ever had a Cuban coffee (aka cafecito), you know it’s so much more than just rich coffee. The secret ingredient here is called espumita, which is a frothy, caramel-colored layer made by whipping sugar with the very first drops of coffee. 

It’s pretty delicious, but we have a way to up the ante when it comes to benefits. Today, we’ll cover how to make Cuban mushroom coffee, how to customize it, and how to store it.

What Is Cuban Coffee?

Cuban coffee is basically an espresso shot, but with a little something extra. Traditionally, it’s brewed using a Moka pot or an espresso machine with a dark roast coffee like Café Bustelo. 

The real magic happens when you catch the very first, strongest drops of coffee and whip them together with sugar to create a thick, caramel-colored foam known as espumita. Once the rest of the coffee is poured over this foam, you end up with a drink that’s bold, sweet, and creamy without a drop of milk.

But Cuban coffee is also about culture. In Miami, you’ll often see people order a colada, which is basically a giant to-go cup of cafecito meant to be shared among friends and coworkers in small demitasse cups. There’s also the cortadito (a cafecito topped with a splash of steamed milk) and café con leche (served with warm milk for dipping toast). 

What Ingredients and Equipment Will You Need?

Making Cuban coffee doesn’t require a barista’s arsenal of tools, but it does demand the right essentials. To make it traditionally with regular coffee, you’d need a Moka pot (sometimes called a stovetop espresso maker) and some dark roast coffee beans. However, we’ll be putting our own mushroom-y spin on it, so you won’t need either of those for this recipe. 

Granulated sugar is another non-negotiable here, since it’s the key to making espumita. Go with plain white sugar to get that smooth, caramel foam.

As for accessories, a small mixing cup and a spoon (or even a tiny whisk) are critical for whipping up the sugar and first drops of coffee. Serving is also part of the ritual, so demitasse cups are highly recommended. 

The Best Cuban Mushroom Coffee Recipe

Cuban coffee is rich, creamy, and sweet, and it’s also unlike any other coffee you’ve ever had. And while the original version is amazing, we personally prefer our coffee to have some extra benefits. Here’s how we make it.

Ingredients:

• One to two tablespoons of Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee+ (depending on preference)
• 6 oz hot water
• Two to three teaspoons of granulated sugar
• Small mixing cup & spoon
• Demitasse cups for serving

Instructions:

1. Mix a pinch of Mushroom Coffee+ with half an ounce of hot water.
2. In a small cup, mix the hot coffee with sugar. Whip vigorously until it turns pale, thick, and foamy.
3. Mix the rest of the Coffee+ with hot water and stir to combine.
4. Pour the rest of the coffee over the foam and stir gently.
5. Serve in tiny cups and enjoy immediately, preferably with good company and flaky pastries.

Variations and Swaps

All good coffee comes in variations — if you can’t customize it, then what’s the point? Here are some ways you can make sure your Cuban fits your tastes and preferences.

Iced Cuban

When the weather’s hot and humid, iced Cuban coffee hits the spot. The trick is to make your cafecito as usual, then let it cool slightly before pouring it over a tall glass of ice. 

For extra smoothness, swap in a splash of cold milk or a milk alternative. Some people even freeze extra Cuban coffee into ice cubes, so the drink never waters down as it melts. 

Healthy Swaps

If you love the taste of Cuban coffee but don’t love the sugar crash, a few simple swaps can help. Instead of the full sugar load, try cutting it in half and mixing in a natural sweetener like monk fruit or stevia — just know it won’t whip quite as thick as the real deal. 

And if you’re worried about caffeine content, don’t be — our Mushroom Coffee+ only contains 45mg of caffeine per serving. Basically, it’s enough to help you feel alert and energized, without being so much that you experience unintended side effects.

Plus, each serving also contains nootropics like lion’s mane and L-theanine. This means that even without the extra caffeine, you can still feel the gentle lift you might expect with a cup of coffee.

How To Serve and Store

Cuban coffee is all about immediacy — you brew it, you whip it, and you drink it right away. Traditionally, it’s served in tiny cups so the sweetness and strength don’t overwhelm you in one gulp. 

If you’re making a colada, pour it into a larger cup with mini demitasse cups on the side so everyone can grab a share. Remember, the cardinal rule of Cuban coffee is that sharing is caring. Pair it with pastelitos, croquetas, or anything buttery and flaky, and you can truly enjoy a traditional treat.

As for storage, Cuban coffee does not age gracefully. Once the foam dies down, so does the magic. If you somehow end up with leftovers, store them in the fridge and reheat gently — but don’t expect the same frothy espumita. The sugar and coffee bond best when fresh. 

What Benefits Does Mushroom Coffee+ Add?

Adding our Mushroom Coffee+ to your cafecito gives you all the sweet, foamy tradition with a slew of extra benefits. 

Here’s what our ingredients bring to the table:

• Low-Caf Arabica Coffee Extract : Smooth flavor with less caffeine, so you get focus without jitters.
• L-theanine : Balances caffeine’s buzz, promoting calm alertness.
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom : Supports focus and memory, gut health, mental health, and even a good night’s rest.
• Chaga Mushroom : Rich in antioxidants that help the body manage everyday stressors.
• Collagen Peptides : Supports skin hydration, joint comfort, and gut health.

The Bottom Line

Cuban coffee may be small in size, but it’s massive in flavor and tradition. Whether you stick with a hot mushroom cafecito or pour it over ice, the ritual is as important as the drink itself. 

Plus, with a few ingredient tweaks, anyone can enjoy this sweet, foamy pick-me-up regardless of lifestyle or restrictions. For more mushroom coffee recipes, visit our website today.

Sources:

Cafecito 101 | Life at the U | Faculty and Staff News | University of Miami

Caffeine’s Side Effects | Aurora Health Care

Here’s What You Need To Know About L-Theanine | Cleveland Clinic

The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study | PMC

Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | PMC