You’ve probably seen Cuban coffee served in small cups with a thick layer of sugary foam on top. It looks rich, strong, and slightly mysterious. Then you go to make one at home, glance at your regular drip coffee maker, and wonder if you can make Cuban coffee in a regular coffee maker.
The answer is yes and no. You can make something close to Cuban coffee in a regular coffee maker, but it won’t be quite the same. You won’t be able to match the intensity that is a signature of coffee brewed with a moka pot.
What You’ll Get (and What You Won’t)
If you use a regular coffee maker, you can still get close to the flavor of real Cuban coffee. You’ll taste that strong dark roast and the sweet finish that makes café Cubano so good. If you whip the first few drops of coffee with sugar to make espuma, you’ll still get that creamy layer on top, but it won’t be as thick as what comes from a moka pot.
What you’ll miss is the heavy, syrupy body that you get with a Moka pot. A drip machine can’t pull oils or crema the same way, so the coffee feels lighter. You’ll get the taste and sweetness, but not that dense mouthfeel or strong kick that real Cuban espresso has.
How to Imitate Cuban Coffee at Home Without a Moka Pot
If you don’t have a moka pot, you can still make a good version of Cuban coffee with a regular coffee maker or even a single-serve machine. The trick is to make coffee strong.
Here’s a simple way to do it:
- Use dark roast coffee. Cuban coffee is usually made with finely ground, dark roast beans. Use about twice the amount of grounds you’d normally use for drip coffee.
- Brew a small batch. Make just a few cups instead of filling the whole pot. Less water means stronger coffee.
- Make the espuma. Pour the first few tablespoons of brewed coffee into a small bowl with two teaspoons of sugar per serving. Whisk or stir it hard until it turns pale and foamy.
- Combine and serve. Pour the rest of the brewed coffee over the sugar foam. Stir gently so it blends without losing too much of that creamy layer.
You may find this interesting: How to Make Cuban Coffee with Nespresso?
FAQ
What kind of coffee should I buy for Cuban coffee?
Look for a dark roast labeled “espresso” or “Cuban style.” Brands like Café Bustelo or Pilon are popular choices. They’re roasted for that bold, slightly smoky flavor Cuban coffee is known for.
Can I make Cuban coffee without adding sugar?
With a regular coffee maker, no. Then you will have regular filter coffee, even if it’s prepared with the beans that are created for Cuban coffee.
Key Takeaways
Making Cuban coffee in a regular coffee maker won’t give you the exact experience, but it can give you the taste of what this coffee is all about.
- You can capture the strong, sweet flavor of café Cubano with dark roast beans and a proper sugar foam.
- A drip machine can’t create the thick crema or syrupy texture you get from a moka pot.
- Brewing a smaller, stronger batch helps mimic the boldness of traditional Cuban coffee.
- Whipping the first few drops of coffee with sugar is the secret to getting that signature espuma.
- The result is a lighter version of Cuban coffee that still delivers plenty of flavor and character.