The PicuMarZ Diary

Once I tried those aromatic and little alcoholic coffees in a well known restaurant in Malta and I really liked it. The only think that I didn't like was the price, well over LM1 (2.20 Euros). There are many types of aromatic coffees and the most known of them is the Irish coffee. Since not everyone have the luxury to buy Irish coffee at a restaurant in the morning, here I will write about my attempts to make an Irish coffee at home, which to my surprise, it came superb in taste and aroma - even better from that at the restaurant !!!

All you need a local liqueur called Zeppi's Bajtra from Master's winery. This is an aromatic liqueur produced from prickly pears (Bajtra tax-xewk). I had received one bottle which I left in kitchen. Once I was making coffee and added this too coffee. It came so and so but with further trial and error experimentation I finally came to a conclusive recipe.

Take a medium sized empty cup and add the following:

1) 1-2 bulged Table spoons of coffee in a mug.

2) At least 1 table spoon or more (according to your diet) of sugar.

3) 1 drop of vanilla essence (don't add much else you ruin the taste balance). Alternatively you can add vanilla sugar or vanilla flavoured skimmed / soya milk

4) 1 large spoon ("marfa") of Zeppi's Bajtra Liqueur (See pic below)

5) Add hot water and stir. Preferably add cold water and put in a microwave at 600W for 2mins. (The latter will make the coffee foamy ala Capucino!)

6) Add milk if you desire.

This will result in a very close simulation of Irish coffee's. It is also an excellent stimulant, hence boosts your mood up, thanks to the active combination of ingredients mainly sugar, caffeine and that little alcohol. The overall aroma is great, mostly coming from the liqueur. You can have this every morning at few cents of expense at the comfort of your home.