Anguilla
Anguilla, a beautiful Caribbean island, isn't known for a unique, deeply ingrained "Anguillan" style of coffee preparation in the same way some other cultures have. Instead, its coffee scene largely mirrors the standard offerings you'd find in modern cafes across the Caribbean and North America, with a touch of local flavor and, of course, the ever-present option of a rum-spiked coffee.
You'll typically find coffee served in hotels, guesthouses, and independent cafes. Here's a breakdown of how you can expect to order coffee and what's in them:
Standard Coffee Shop Offerings (Most Common)
These are the widely recognized coffee drinks that you'll find in most establishments that serve coffee:
Espresso:
What's in it: A concentrated shot of coffee, made by forcing hot, pressurized water through finely-ground coffee beans. It's the base for many other coffee drinks.
How to order: "Espresso," "Double Espresso" (or "Doppio").
Americano:
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water. It offers a similar strength to drip coffee but a different flavor profile.
How to order: "Americano." You might be asked if you prefer a single or double shot.
Cappuccino:
What's in it: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and a thick layer of frothed milk. Often dusted with cocoa powder or cinnamon.
How to order: "Cappuccino."
Latte (Caffè Latte):
What's in it: Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. It's creamier and less intense than a cappuccino.
How to order: "Latte." You might also specify "Iced Latte" if you want it cold. Flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut) are often available.
Macchiato:
What's in it: Espresso "marked" with a small amount of foamed milk. It's an espresso-forward drink with just a hint of creaminess.
How to order: "Macchiato" or "Espresso Macchiato."
Mocha (Caffè Mocha):
What's in it: A chocolate-flavored latte, typically made with espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup or cocoa powder. Often topped with whipped cream.
How to order: "Mocha" or "Caffè Mocha."
Flat White:
What's in it: Similar to a latte but with a stronger coffee flavor (often made with ristretto shots) and a finer, velvety microfoam.
How to order: "Flat White."
Drip Coffee / Brewed Coffee / Black Coffee:
What's in it: Coffee made by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans, typically using a drip coffee maker. "Black coffee" means no milk or sugar added.
How to order: "Drip coffee," "Regular coffee," or "Black coffee." You'll then be asked if you want milk/cream and sugar.
Iced Coffee:
What's in it: This can vary, but generally refers to brewed coffee (drip or espresso) served over ice. Milk and sugar are typically added to taste.
How to order: "Iced coffee."
Cold Brew:
What's in it: Coffee grounds steeped in cold water for an extended period (12-24 hours), resulting in a less acidic, smoother concentrate that's then diluted with water or milk and served over ice.
How to order: "Cold brew."
Caribbean-Specific Coffee Drinks (Less Common but Possible)
While not unique to Anguilla, you might encounter these in some establishments, particularly those catering to tourists or with a broader Caribbean influence:
Café Caribbean (Coffee Rum Cocktail):
What's in it: Hot coffee, rum (often a local Anguillan rum), almond liqueur, and sometimes topped with whipped cream and shaved almonds or other garnishes.
How to order: "Café Caribbean" or "Coffee with rum."
Simple Home-Style Coffee
In smaller local eateries, guesthouses, or if visiting someone's home, coffee might be prepared more simply:
Brewed Coffee (Percolator or French Press style): Often strong and hot, served with condensed milk and/or sugar on the side. This is a common way coffee is prepared in many Caribbean homes.
What's in it: Locally roasted or imported coffee grounds, hot water.
How to order: Simply ask for "coffee."
How to Specify Your Order:
When ordering, be prepared to specify:
Hot or Iced: (e.g., "Iced Latte")
Size: (e.g., "small," "medium," "large," or specific cup sizes like "8oz," "12oz," etc.)
Sweetness: (e.g., "no sugar," "light sugar," "sweet")
Milk/Cream: (e.g., "with milk," "a splash of milk," "with cream," "no milk")
Type of milk: (e.g., "almond milk," "oat milk," "soy milk" – availability varies)
While Anguilla doesn't have a distinct "national" coffee style, the quality of coffee available is generally good, especially in the growing number of cafes that cater to both locals and the international tourist market. Enjoy your coffee on the island!
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.