What is a Café Bombon?

This blog post explores Café Bombon’s origins, popularity, and recipe for making this superb Spanish coffee at home.

What is a café bombon?

A Café Bombon is a sweet espresso drink popular in Spain, made by serving a strong shot of espresso with sweetened condensed milk. It’s typically served in a glass cup to highlight the contrast between the light condensed milk and dark coffee.

To make a Café Bombon, pour espresso into your glass cup and slowly drizzle in condensed milk, allowing it to naturally sink to the bottom. Optionally, you can add a layer of milk froth on top for a lighter touch. Even without an espresso maker, you can make Café Bombon using cold brew coffee concentrate as a substitute for espresso.

Then, stir it if you’d like or drink it as is, enjoying each layer separately.

The history of café bombon

The origins of café bombón are somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it’s widely believed to have first emerged in the Costa del Azahar region of Spain, later gaining widespread popularity in Valencia. It’s firmly rooted itself in Spanish coffee traditions and has gone on to influence coffee culture globally, with variations found in places like Thailand and Singapore, each adopting a unique local twist to the recipe.

Cultural Significance

Café bombón is more than just a coffee in Spain; it’s a cherished tradition. This rich, sweet coffee treat can come with a twist – like a dash of cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel, showing off Spain’s love for mixing things up. It’s not just about the taste; it’s about the experience and the joy of trying something new and delicious.

what does a café bombon Taste like?

Café Bombon combines the strong taste of espresso with the sweet, creamy flavor of condensed milk. The espresso provides a rich and robust coffee base, while the condensed milk adds a thick sweetness, resulting in a well-balanced yet intense beverage.

How do you make a café Bombon at home?

To make a Café Bombon at home, you will need the following ingredients and steps:

Ingredients:

• 2 shots of espresso
• 4 tablespoons of condensed milk
• Milk froth (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the espresso and pour it into a glass cup.
2. Slowly drizzle in the condensed milk, allowing it to sink to the bottom.
3. Optionally, spoon milk froth on top for a lighter touch.
4. Serve immediately with a spoon.

what is the ratio of espresso to condensed milk in café bombon?

The proportions of espresso to condensed milk in Café Bombon can differ based on individual taste and desired sweetness. Some prefer a balanced 1:1 ratio, offering equal parts of espresso and condensed milk. Alternatively, a starting point of 1:4, favoring more condensed milk, is suggested for those who like it sweeter. The key is to adjust the mix to suit your own preferences.

I, for example, look forward to the sweetness at the end of my drink, so I tend to include a bit more condensed milk vs espresso.

what is the best type of espresso to use in café bombon?

For Café Bombon, I suggest choosing a dark espresso or French roast for that rich, deep flavor. Starbucks whole bean coffee is a great option – I’ve had years of experience with it and still enjoy their drip coffee.

If you’re looking to splurge a little, Spirit Animal Coffee’s Espresso Roast is an excellent choice. Priced at about $27 per bag, it might be a bit more expensive, but the quality justifies the cost. Spirit Animal Coffee is committed to supporting their farmers and roasts the beans in small batches to ensure freshness and quality. Plus, their beans are highly rated by the Specialty Coffee Association of America, often scoring above 85%.

If you buy Spirit Animal beans via that link I make about $3, at no additional cost to you.

The End

If you’re looking for a sweet and intense coffee experience, a Café Bombon is definitely worth a try!