Curacao
Curacao's coffee scene is a vibrant reflection of its international, Dutch, and Caribbean influences. While there isn't one single "traditional Curacaoan coffee" preparation that stands out, the island offers a broad spectrum from simple home-style brews to sophisticated cafe creations. The emphasis is often on quality beans, frequently imported and locally roasted, catering to both residents and the significant tourism market.
Here are the different ways to order coffee in Curacao and what's in them:
Standard Coffee Shop Offerings (Most Common & Widely Available)
These are the typical espresso-based and brewed coffees you'd find in cafes, hotels, and many restaurants across the island.
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 most other coffee drinks.
How to order: "Espresso" (single shot) or "Double Espresso" (or "Doppio").
Americano:
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water. It has a similar strength to drip coffee but a distinct espresso flavor profile.
How to order: "Americano." You can often specify a single or double shot.
Cappuccino:
What's in it: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and a thick layer of frothed milk. Often garnished 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." Flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, etc.) are commonly 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." Caramel Macchiato is also very popular.
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 that's more integrated with the milk.
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 through a filter or in a large batch brewer. "Black coffee" refers to it served without milk or sugar. This is a common, straightforward option in many diners and casual eateries.
How to order: "Drip coffee," "Regular coffee," or "Black coffee." You'll then add milk/cream and sugar to your preference.
Cold Coffee Drinks
Iced coffee options are ubiquitous and highly sought after.
Iced Coffee:
What's in it: Generally, brewed coffee (drip or espresso-based) served over ice. Milk and sugar are typically added to taste by the customer.
How to order: "Iced Coffee" or "Kòfi Gela" (Papiamento for iced coffee, though "Iced Coffee" is widely understood).
Iced Latte:
What's in it: Espresso and cold milk poured over ice.
How to order: "Iced Latte." Often available with various flavored syrups.
Iced Americano:
What's in it: Espresso and cold water poured over ice.
How to order: "Iced Americano."
Iced Mocha:
What's in it: Espresso, chocolate syrup, and cold milk poured over ice, often topped with whipped cream.
How to order: "Iced Mocha."
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. This concentrate is then diluted with water or milk and served over ice. Many modern cafes, like Number Ten, are praised for their cold brew.
How to order: "Cold Brew."
Frappe-style Drinks (Blended Iced Coffee):
What's in it: Blended ice, coffee (espresso or coffee concentrate), milk, sugar, and often flavored syrups (e.g., caramel, mocha). Usually topped with whipped cream.
How to order: Often listed by specific names (e.g., "Caramel Frappuccino" at Starbucks, or a generic "Iced Blended Coffee" or "Coffee Frappe" at local shops).
Curacao-Specific & Specialty Options
While not a singular traditional "Curacao coffee," the island's unique culture contributes to specific coffee experiences:
Kòfi Kòrsou (Curacao Coffee Liqueur):
What's in it: This is a locally produced coffee liqueur. It's made from coffee bean extract, often with notes of cocoa and caramel, and balanced with sweetness.
How to consume: This is not a coffee drink in itself, but a liqueur often enjoyed after dinner, over ice, or as a base for coffee cocktails.
How to order: You'd order it as a "Kòfi Kòrsou liqueur" at a bar or restaurant.
Spiked Coffees / Coffee Cocktails:
What's in it: Given the Caribbean setting and the availability of local spirits, alcoholic coffee drinks are common in bars and restaurants. These can include hot coffee with local rum, coffee liqueur, cream liqueurs, or other spirits.
How to order: Look for "Specialty Coffees," "Coffee Cocktails," or "After Dinner Drinks" on a menu.
"Kopi" / Dutch Influenced Coffee:
Due to the strong Dutch influence, you might encounter cafes that serve coffee similar to how it's prepared in the Netherlands, particularly with the widespread presence of Dutch brands.
What's in it: Often robust, dark-roasted filter coffee, sometimes accompanied by a small biscuit. Espresso-based drinks will be standard as well.
How to order: Simply "Koffie" (Dutch for coffee) or specify the desired espresso-based drink.
"Batido de Café" (Brazilian Coffee Cocktail/Shake):
While more commonly associated with Brazil, the term "batido" (meaning "beaten" or "shaken") for fruit smoothies is very popular in Curacao.
What's in it: Typically strong cold coffee, condensed milk, and often a spirit like cachaça (Brazilian rum) or local rum, blended with ice until creamy. It's a sweet, indulgent, and sometimes boozy coffee shake.
How to order: This might be found at a smoothie bar or a place with a broader Latin American influence. You'd ask for a "Batido de Café."
General Ordering Tips:
Milk Options: Most cafes will offer regular dairy milk (whole, skimmed) and a variety of plant-based milk alternatives like almond milk and oat milk. Soy milk is also often available.
Sweetness: You'll generally add your own sugar or sweetener to drip coffee and Americanos. For espresso-based drinks, you can often specify "sweet," "light sweet," or "unsweetened."
Language: While Dutch is the official language, Papiamentu is widely spoken, and English is very commonly understood, especially in tourist areas. Menus are usually multilingual.
*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.