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A honey-kissed latte feels like a hug in a coffee mug, and café con miel delivers that cozy vibe every time. Rich espresso blends with honey and vanilla, then meets steamed milk for a smooth, balanced sip. A light sprinkle of cinnamon on top adds aroma without drowning out the coffee flavor. You’ll find this drink really simple to prepare and most of the ingredients should already be in your fridge and pantry. Treat yourself to a honey coffee for a slow morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Warm up with a mug of café con miel, a cozy latte that’s sweetened with honey, flavored with fragrant vanilla and finished with frothy, steamed milk and cinnamon.
You might also like Irish coffee, iced brown sugar oatmilk espresso, pumpkin spice whipped dalgona coffee, or a cinnamon dolce latte.
Why You’ll Love It
Fast comfort: Made in minutes using basic pantry staples. You can have it ready within 5 minutes of waking up!
Balanced sweetness: Honey smooths espresso without needing any heavy syrup.
Creamy foam: Steamed milk makes a silky drink that has a cozy vibe.
Flexible base: Use espresso or strong coffee and make it hot or iced.
Spanish Coffee with Honey Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Honey: Along with subtle floral notes, honey adds natural sweetness to soften the coffee.
Vanilla extract: Warm aroma that lifts the honey.
Espresso or strong brewed coffee: Bold coffee base that stands up to milk. I recommend either espresso or a dark roast for the richest tasting result.
Steamed milk: Adds a creamy foam.
Ground cinnamon: Just a light dusting for aroma and color.
How to Make Hot Miel Coffee
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Sweeten the mug: Add honey and vanilla to a warm cup.
Make coffee: Brew espresso or strong coffee (you can use anything from a budget coffee machine like this one to a high-end model like the one I have!)
Mix it in: Pour the espresso over the honey and vanilla and stir until the honey dissolves.
Steam the milk: Froth milk to a creamy foam at about 165°F.
Combine: Pour the milk over the coffee and spoon foam on top.
Finish: Dust lightly with cinnamon and serve right away.
Substitutions and Variations
Dairy free milk: Whole milk gives the creamiest foam but oat or almond milk also work. You could even try coconut milk or soy milk.
Sweetener swap: Replace honey with another natural sweetener like maple syrup for a deeper flavor. Adjust the amount to make it sweeter or less sweet.
Sweet ‘n spicy: Take inspiration from Mexican hot chocolate recipes and use hot honey instead of regular honey (this variation is as soothing as medicine ball tea when you’re feeling under the weather!)
Iced version: Shake espresso, honey and vanilla with cold milk over ice.
Cinnamon alternatives: Use other spices in place of cinnamon, perhaps nutmeg, ginger or even pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist.
Gluten free note: All ingredients should be naturally gluten free, but you might want to check labels on vanilla and spices.
Whipped cream: Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top for a luxurious finish.
Serving Suggestions
With breakfast or brunch: This hot coffee drink goes with anything. Just a few ideas include a biscuit breakfast sandwich, fried egg sandwich, blue smoothie bowl, or spinach red bean shakshuka.
As a mid-morning or mid-afternoon treat: Pair your cafe con miel with a snack, such as KitKat bars or a pistachio muffin.
How to Store Cafe con Miel
Store: This drink is best served fresh, as soon as it’s prepared.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this.
Top Tips
Warm the mug: A warm cup helps the honey dissolve smoothly and keeps the drink warm for longer.
Pull fresh espresso: A fresh shot keeps the flavor bright and full. If you don’t have an espresso machine, use 4 ounces of strong hot coffee instead. A pour-over coffee maker or French press would be ideal for this.
Mind milk temperature: Stop steaming around 165°F for perfect sweet foam without scald. Don’t let it boil. If you don’t have a coffee maker, just use a small saucepan on the stove to warm your milk.
Frothy milk: A hand frother is ideal for frothing but you can use a mason jar with a lid instead. Simply heat milk in a saucepan over low heat, carefully pour milk into the jar and cover with the lid. Use oven mitts to shake the jar until the milk is creamy and bubbly.
Stir then pour: Dissolve honey before adding milk to avoid clumps.
Serve immediately: Enjoy before the foam topping collapses.
Spanish Honey Coffee FAQs
It means coffee with honey in Spanish. This drink is popular in both Spain (where it originated) and throughout Latin America.
Yes. Use strong brewed coffee so the flavor stays balanced.
Yes. Start with a little honey, then taste and add more if you like.
Homemade Cafe Miel Recipe
Café con Miel
Equipment
- Espresso Machine or Coffee Maker
- Milk Frother or Mason Jar with Lid
- Beverage Thermometer Optional
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- ½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Ounces espresso, or 4 Ounces strong brewed coffee
- 4 Ounces whole milk, steamed to 165°F
- ground cinnamon, for garnish
Instructions
- Add honey and vanilla to the bottom of a glass or coffee mug.
- Pour in espresso and stir.
- Pour in steamed milk, and top with cinnamon.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Pull fresh espresso: A fresh shot keeps the flavor bright and full. If you don’t have an espresso machine, use 4 ounces of strong hot coffee instead. A pour-over coffee maker or French press would be ideal for this.
Mind milk temperature: Stop steaming around 165°F for perfect sweet foam without scald. Don’t let it boil. If you don’t have a coffee maker, just use a small saucepan on the stove to warm your milk.
Frothy milk: A hand frother is ideal for frothing but you can use a mason jar with a lid instead. Simply heat milk in a saucepan over low heat, carefully pour milk into the jar and cover with the lid. Use oven mitts to shake the jar until the milk is creamy and bubbly.
Stir then pour: Dissolve honey before adding milk to avoid clumps.
Serve immediately: Enjoy before the foam topping collapses.
Nutrition
For a soothing sip that still tastes like real coffee, this café con miel hits the mark. Honey and vanilla round the edges while steamed milk adds a plush finish. The method is quick, the ingredients are simple and the result feels special without extra effort. Make it hot for cool mornings or shake an iced version on warm days. Forget Starbucks – this homemade version is just too easy to make!
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
