Café Canario or Café Bombón

By
Lisa & Tony Sierra
Lisa & Tony Sierra
Lisa and Tony Sierra are freelance writers and Spanish food experts who lead culinary tours of the country.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/19/23
Ground coffee and beans

Guido Mieth/Getty Images

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 drinks
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
474 Calories
29g Fat
47g Carbs
9g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 474
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 29g 37%
Saturated Fat 18g 90%
Cholesterol 93mg 31%
Sodium 122mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 47g 17%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 43g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 258mg 20%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 409mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Strong espresso coffee, or café, is a popular drink in Spain, where cafeterias are on every street corner. This recipe is a typical espresso drink and is often enjoyed as a dessert. Strong espresso is first poured into a glass, then sweetened condensed milk is added. Whipped cream tops off the glass. There are many variations: Some pour in the condensed milk first, then the coffee, and then whole milk to create distinctive layers, with whipped cream on top.

Sweet coffees like this one, which comes from the Canary Islands, aren't as popular on the mainland as one would think, considering the deliciousness of this beverage. Regardless, this is a very Spanish tradition and one that you won't regret trying. You just need a few ingredients to cap off a wonderful paella with a bold, sweet treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup espresso

  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk

  • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Add the vanilla extract to the cream and whip with a hand mixer until it forms soft peaks. If making it ahead of time, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and keep chilled until ready to serve.

  3. Brew 8 ounces of espresso coffee using a simple stovetop espresso maker, a machine, or French press. Remember that a good, strong coffee requires 1 and a half ounces of finely ground espresso blend per cup, the lighter the roast the more coffee you might need.

  4. Pour the coffee into 4 small glass cups. Pour the condensed milk into the cups, 2 liquid ounces per glass. Because the condensed milk is heavier, it will sink to the bottom. Top with whipped cream.

  5. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon per cup of cocoa powder and serve with a spoon. Remind your guests to stir the drink well, to mix the sweet condensed milk and rich whipped cream into the strong coffee.

Barraquito Especial or Completo

Coffees with brandy, rum, or liqueur in Spain are called carajillos. A barraquito is one such variation on café canario, containing Licor 43, a lemon peel, and some ground cinnamon or a whole stick. The Licor 43 has 43 different ingredients and is a very sweet and aromatic liquor widely appreciated in Spain. Barraquito can also be offered as part of the dessert course.

History of Café Canario

For years, the cafeterias on the Canary Islands have been selling café canario or cafe bombón. It is often referred to as café canario because it is a popular drink in the Canary Islands. However, it is also called café bombón because it is sweet and rich-tasting like a dessert. Some give the credit for the concoction to a local coffee drinker nicknamed barraquito (which is also the name of a version of this coffee with liquor) and some attribute it to a local barista.