How Coffee is Drunk in Spain

How Coffee is Drunk in Spain

In Spain, coffee is part of daily life and is typically enjoyed sitting down in cafés or bars, not on the go.

Popular Types of Coffee:

• Café solo – A small, strong black espresso.
• Café con leche – Half espresso, half hot milk. Common for breakfast.
• Café cortado – Espresso with a splash of milk.
• Café americano – Espresso with added hot water (milder).
• Café bombón – Espresso with sweetened condensed milk, layered in a glass.
• Carajillo – Espresso with a shot of liquor (like brandy or rum).
• Café con hielo – Espresso served with ice, popular in summer.

When Coffee is Drunk:

• Morning: Café con leche with toast or pastry.
• Mid-morning: A break with café solo or cortado.
• After lunch: Often a café solo, cortado, or a carajillo.
• Afternoon: Coffee with a sweet snack (merienda).
• Evening: Less common; people may switch to decaf.

Cultural Tips:

• Coffee is usually drunk sitting down — not taken to go.
• It's a social habit — often enjoyed with friends or colleagues.
• “To go” (para llevar) is becoming more common, especially in cities.

---

How to Order Coffee in Spain

Useful Phrases:

• “Quiero un café, por favor.” – I’d like a coffee, please.
• “Un café con leche.” – A coffee with milk, please.
• “¿Me pone un cortado?” – Could I have a cortado?
• “Para tomar aquí” – To drink here.
• “Para llevar” – To take away.

How to Order Specific Coffees:

Type	What to Say
Espresso	“Un café solo, por favor.”
Espresso with a splash of milk	“Un cortado, por favor.”
Half coffee, half milk	“Un café con leche, por favor.”
Iced coffee	“Un café con hielo, por favor.”
With condensed milk	“Un café bombón, por favor.”
With liquor	“Un carajillo, por favor.”

 

355 views of this article.
Last Modified on May 17th, 2025
Created on May 17th, 2025
2,543,205 Total Views


This article is part of the following categories. Click on the links to see a list of similar articles:
Go to homepage