What is magic coffee? Magic coffee consists of espresso and milk. Originating in Melbourne, Australia, this unique drink is recognized only in certain places across the globe.
Magic coffee is the perfect espresso beverage for those of us who enjoy flat whites but think that they’re too strong. Instead of regular-strength espresso, magic coffee uses ristretto shots, which are a shorter pull, resulting in milder coffee.
A Tasty Melbourne Treat
From down under in Australia, magic coffee is a delicious drink that was created in the city of Melbourne. It began to populate cafe menus only a few years ago and began to trend on social media apps like Instagram and TikTok. Magic coffee has gained popularity in Melbourne, Sydney, and Queensland, and can generally be found across the continent.
Though Australians are not necessarily known for being inventive creators of coffee beverages, they are definitely holding their ground with magic coffee and their signature piccolo lattes.
How to Make Magic Coffee
While magic coffee is beloved due to its perfect ratio of creaminess, bitterness, richness, and sweetness, it is surprisingly easy to make from the comfort of your own home and is made up of the following ingredients:
- A double ristretto espresso or espresso beans
- Steamed milk, otherwise known as frothed milk
When making magic coffee, you will also need to own a coffee grinder, espresso machine, milk frother, and small cup. If you don’t have an espresso machine, a Chemex can work if necessary.
To make a yummy magic coffee to impress your friends and family with, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Make sure your espresso machine and steamer or steam wand are freshly cleaned and sanitized. Then rinse them out with water to avoid introducing dust into your coffee.
Step 2: Grab a 5-ounce cup for your magic coffee to be served in. If you don’t have a 5-ounce cup, an 8-ounce cup will do just fine. You can always also fill up a regular-sized cup part-way.
Step 3: Pull a double ristretto shot using a portafilter basked, meaning a double espresso shot that has been stopped partway through pulling while using a filter. This will give you 40ml of acidic espresso instead of the typical 30ml single shot.
Step 4: Steam the milk of your choice with a milk steamer, frother, or steam wand. Make sure to create enough foam that would be appropriate to use on a flat white coffee beverage.
Step 5: Combine your milk and ristretto espresso shots in your 5-ounce mug. It is best to have a half and half ratio of milk to coffee for the perfect blend of taste and texture.
Step 6: If you are feeling adventurous, you can add a couple of ice cubes to your magic coffee to cool it down for the warmer season. Sometimes people even add whipped cream or flavored syrup to satisfy their sweet tooth or craving.
The reason that ristretto espresso shots are used in magic coffee is due to their unique tasting notes. While a ristretto shot can be made from any type of ground espresso bean, the way it is made causes a sweeter, lighter, and brighter flavor pallet. This is because cutting off the flow of water to the coffee stops the fruitier notes from being drawn away from the coffee.
You might also be interested in our guide on is coffee jelly healthy.
The Best Steamers for Making Magic
Whether you opt for a steam wand or a traditional espresso machine and steamer combo machine, your steamer has the power to turn your magic coffee from bland to delicious. With perfectly steamed milk, you’ll feel like your coffee is coming straight from your favorite barista’s hands.
The best-reviewed steamers for making magic coffee are:
- Miroco Stainless Steel Milk Steamer and Automatic Foam Maker
- Breville Milk Cafe Frother
- Golde Superwhisk
- Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
- Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother
- De’Longhi EC680M Steam Wand Espresso Machine
The Delicious Taste of Magic Coffee
Melbourne, Australia’s magic coffee is also commonly known as dessert coffee and sweet coffee by many influencers that have popularized the drink.
Due to its smooth consistency, natural milky sweetness, and light coffee notes, it is easy for both coffee novices and aficionados alike to enjoy year-round.
If you loved this article check out What Is The Difference Between A Milk Frother And An Immersion Blender?
