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    Home » Vegan Recipes

    Kaffe Karlsson - Scandinavian Coffee Cocktail

    Published: Apr 21, 2022 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Tajda Ferko This post may contain affiliate links

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    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Kaffe Karlsson is a Scandinavian coffee cocktail full of flavour and oh-so-comforting! Made in minutes using just 5 simple ingredients.

    A glass containing the cocktail Kaffe Karlsson topped off with whipped cream and chocolate.

    Kaffe Karlsson originates from Scandinavia and is most similar to what many know as Irish Coffee. But this one's a special, dare I say more exciting, twist!

    Mainly served at Christmas, it pairs so well with my festive ginger cookies and my date caramel slice.

    Jump to:
    • 💌 Why I Adore This Cocktail
    • 🍊 Ingredients
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • ⏲️ Steps
    • 💡 Top Tips
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 🥥 Substitutions
    • ☕️ Variations
    • 🍬 Serving
    • 📦 Storage
    • 👩‍🍳 More Drinks
    • 🍴Recipe
    • Kaffe Karlsson - Scandinavian Coffee Cocktail

    💌 Why I Adore This Cocktail

    • 5 ingredients only
    • Super simple
    • Easy to customise
    • Ultra comforting
    • Perfect all year round

    Plus, I prepared step-by-step photos & video for you!

    This way you can see exactly how it's made.

    🍊 Ingredients

    This brilliant coffee cocktail requires just 5 ingredients!

    All ingredients needed to make a Kaffe Karlsson cocktail laid out on a flat surface.

    Ingredient Details

    Whipping cream - any cream that could be whipped will work. To make it easier you could also use whipped cream that comes in a can and doesn't need to be whipped. For some added flavour, you could also use coconut cream.

    Coffee - any type of coffee is fine, but make sure it's strong! You can use decaf if you prefer, but still make it strong like an espresso.

    Cointreau - orange-flavored liqueur, typically found in supermarkets worldwide.

    Bailey's - use dairy-free cream liqueur for a vegan version.

    Dark chocolate - optional, but so delicious. Dark chocolate works best, but you could experiment with other flavours too.

    TIP - Find the quantities and exact instructions on how to make this cocktail at the bottom of this post.

    🥄 Equipment

    • Chopping board
    • Knife
    • Measuring spoon/cups
    • Hand mixer (if you want to whip the cream yourself)

    ⏲️ Steps

    There are just 6 simple steps to this brilliant cocktail.

    PS - This is a quick overview - detailed instructions are waiting for you at the bottom!

    A collage of six images showing exactly how to make a coffee cocktail.
    1. Grate or shave dark chocolate. Set aside.
    2. Pour coffee into a large serving glass.
    3. Add Bailey's.
    4. Then add cointreau.
    5. Top if off with whipped cream.
    6. Sprinkle grated or shaved chocolate on top. Enjoy!

    💡 Top Tips

    • Always taste and adjust before serving - this way you can customise it to taste!
    • Making it for several people with different alcohol preferences?
    • Make it less strong and then add extra cointreau shots to taste.
    • Sip it right away! It won't stay good for super long.
    • You don't have to buy Bailey's (the specific brand) - any kind of cream liqueur will do.
    • I used a dairy-free coconut cream liqueur from Amarula (not sponsored, just a recommendation if you're looking for something vegan).

    Remember! The better the coffee, the better your Kaffe Karlsson will taste!

    ❓ FAQ

    My drink is separating - help!

    Don't worry at all, this is completely normal. Simply give it a stir with your straw before drinking.

    What can I do with leftover Bailey's or cointreau?

    Check out these brilliant lists of Bailey's and cointreau recipes. They both keep well so you don't need to worry about finishing the bottle quickly after opening.

    Is this recipe gluten-free & vegan?

    It's naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan (that's how I made it). Simply use dairy-free Baileys'/cream liqueur and dairy-free whipped cream. Tastes brilliant!

    How can I grate/shave the chocolate?

    It's easier than it looks! You'll either need a grater or a knife. Follow this guide to learn how to safely & efficiently shave the chocolate.

    🥥 Substitutions

    An image of Cointreau orange liqueur next to a glass of Kaffe Karlsson.

    There are several ways you can change this recipe to suit your preferences.

    Whipped cream could be replaced with coconut cream, dairy-free cream, or any other creamy topping of your choice!

    Cointreau could be replaced with a similar citrus-based liqueur or orange extract.

    Dark chocolate - you could use chocolate sprinkles instead.

    ☕️ Variations

    Vegan - use whipped coconut cream and dairy-free cream liqueur.

    Alcohol free - use orange extract instead of cointreau and chocolate milk instead of Bailey's.

    Decaf - choose decaf coffee.

    🍬 Serving

    A close-up image of the coffee cocktail Kaffe Karlsson topped off with whipped cream.

    Kaffe Karlsson can be served in SO MANY ways all year round.

    It's particularly popular around Christmas, but don't let that stop you from making it during spring or summer too!

    Serve it as:

    • Afternoon cocktail
    • Happy hour cocktail
    • Instead of a dessert
    • Festive drink
    • After dinner

    📦 Storage

    To make this recipe ahead, simply just follow the same instructions, but skip the whipped cream and chocolate.

    Store it in an airtight jar or container for up to 2-3 days.

    When you're ready to serve it, remove from the fridge and top off with cream and chocolate.

    👩‍🍳 More Drinks

    Looking for some amazing drinks?

    Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place.

    • Chocolate Milk Tea
    • Blueberry Gin Cocktail
    • Iced Vanilla Chai Latte
    • Rose Hot Chocolate

    Or check out my full recipes section here.

    If you enjoyed reading this or have any questions, reach out to me via the comments section below (I check it daily!)

    And last but not least, if you made this recipe, it would mean a lot if you could leave a rating or comment below!

    This helps other people find my recipes - thank YOU!

    🍴Recipe

    Kaffe Karlsson - Scandinavian Coffee Cocktail

    Easy Scandinavian-style coffee cocktail made from 5 ingredients.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Scandinavian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 331kcal
    Author: Tajda Ferko

    Equipment

    • Chopping board
    • Knife
    • Measuring spoon
    • Hand mixer if you want to whip the cream yourself

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon dark chocolate shaved/grated
    • 150 ml strong coffee
    • 25 ml Bailey's or another cream liqueur
    • 25 ml cointreau
    • ½ cup whipped cream

    Instructions

    • Grate or shave dark chocolate. Set aside.
    • Pour coffee into a large serving glass.
    • Add Bailey's.
    • Then add cointreau.
    • Top if off with whipped cream.
    • Sprinkle grated or shaved chocolate on top. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    • This recipe serves 1, but you can always double/triple/multiply the ingredients.
    • Always taste and adjust before serving .
    • Making it for several people with different alcohol preferences?
    • Make it less strong and then add extra cointreau shots to taste.
    • Sip it right away! It won't stay good for super long.
    • You don't have to buy Bailey's (the specific brand) - any kind of cream liqueur will do.
    • I used a dairy-free coconut cream liqueur from Amarula.
    • It's normal if your drink separates a little. Simply give it a stir with your straw.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 211IU | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg

    Disclaimer: The nutritional information above is calculated automatically. The author of this post cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of this data.

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