Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein's coffee culture is largely influenced by its close neighbors, Austria and Switzerland, with a strong leaning towards the traditional Viennese coffee house culture. While modern espresso-based drinks are certainly available in cafes in towns like Vaduz and Schaan, you'll also find classic Austrian coffee preparations.

Here's a breakdown of the different ways to order coffee in Liechtenstein and what's in them:

Viennese/Austrian-Influenced Coffees (Common in Traditional Cafes):

These are iconic coffee creations that emphasize rich flavors and often involve whipped cream.

• Melange (Wiener Melange):

• What's in it: Often compared to a cappuccino, but typically made with a shot of espresso (or strong brewed coffee) "lengthened" slightly with hot water, then topped with hot milk and a generous layer of milk foam. Sometimes dusted with cocoa powder. The key is a good balance between coffee, milk, and foam.

• How to order: "Eine Melange, bitte."

• Einspänner:

• What's in it: A double espresso (or strong black coffee/Mokka) served in a tall, handled glass, topped with a very generous amount of whipped cream. The whipped cream acts as insulation to keep the coffee warm. It's designed to be sipped through the cream.

• How to order: "Einen Einspänner, bitte."

• Fiaker:

• What's in it: A strong Mokka (double espresso) with a shot of rum or brandy, topped with whipped cream and often a cherry. Named after the traditional Viennese horse-drawn carriages.

• How to order: "Einen Fiaker, bitte."

• Verlängerter (Extended):

• What's in it: An espresso diluted with an equal or greater amount of hot water, served in a larger cup. It's essentially an Austrian Americano, but often slightly weaker or with less water than a standard Americano.

• How to order: "Einen Verlängerten, bitte."

• Kleiner Brauner (Small Brown) / Grosser Brauner (Large Brown):

• What's in it: A single (Kleiner Brauner) or double (Grosser Brauner) espresso served with a small jug of milk or cream on the side, allowing you to add it to your preference.

• How to order: "Einen kleinen Brauner" or "einen grossen Brauner."

• Schwarzer (Black):

• What's in it: A straight black espresso. Similar to a caffè solo in Italy.

• How to order: "Einen Schwarzer, bitte." (or "einen Kleiner Schwarzer" for a single espresso, "einen Grosser Schwarzer" for a double).

• Milchkaffee (Milk Coffee):

• What's in it: A larger amount of coffee mixed with a substantial amount of hot milk, similar to a French café au lait or a Spanish café con leche. Usually served in a large cup or bowl.

• How to order: "Einen Milchkaffee, bitte."

International / Modern Coffee Shop Standards:

As a developed European country with a strong tourism sector, modern cafes in Liechtenstein (especially in Vaduz and Schaan) will offer a full range of globally recognized espresso-based drinks.

• Espresso:

• What's in it: A concentrated shot of coffee.

• How to order: "Ein Espresso, bitte." ("Doppelter Espresso" for a double).

• Cappuccino:

• What's in it: Espresso, steamed milk, and a cap of frothed milk.

• How to order: "Einen Cappuccino, bitte."

• Latte / Caffè Latte:

• What's in it: Espresso with a large amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam.

• How to order: "Einen Latte" or "einen Caffè Latte." (Specify hot/iced, milk type like oat milk "Hafermilch" or almond milk "Mandelmilch," and flavors if available).

• Americano:

• What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water.

• How to order: "Einen Americano, bitte."

• Flat White:

• What's in it: Espresso with velvety microfoamed milk, less foam than a latte or cappuccino, providing a stronger coffee taste and a smooth texture.

• How to order: "Einen Flat White, bitte."

• Macchiato:

• Espresso Macchiato: Espresso "marked" with a small dollop of foamed milk.

• Latte Macchiato: Steamed milk "stained" with a shot of espresso, creating layers.

• How to order: "Einen Macchiato" (specify which kind if necessary).

• Mocha / Mokka:

• What's in it: Espresso, chocolate (syrup or powder), steamed milk, often with whipped cream. Note: In a traditional Austrian context, "Mokka" usually refers to a strong black espresso, not a chocolate-flavored drink. Be clear if you want chocolate.

• How to order: "Eine Mocha" or "eine Schoko-Kaffee" if you want chocolate.

• Filterkaffee (Filter Coffee / Drip Coffee):

• What's in it: Standard brewed coffee.

• How to order: "Filterkaffee, bitte."

• Iced Coffee Drinks (Eiskaffee):

• What's in them: These vary but are often a mix of cold coffee, ice cream (typically vanilla), milk, and whipped cream. Simpler iced lattes/Americanos are also available.

• How to order: "Eiskaffee" for the traditional Austrian version, or "Iced Latte" / "Iced Americano" for the modern versions.

Less Common/Alternatives:

• Entkoffeiniert (Decaffeinated):

• What's in it: Coffee with most of the caffeine removed.

• How to order: Specify "entkoffeiniert" before the coffee type (e.g., "Einen entkoffeinierten Espresso").

• Kaffee mit Schnaps:

• What's in it: Coffee with a shot of local fruit schnapps (e.g., plum, pear). This would be a more informal, regional drink, possibly available in restaurants or mountain huts.

• How to order: Ask for "Kaffee mit Schnaps" and specify the type of schnapps if you have a preference.

When in Liechtenstein, consider trying a traditional Melange or Einspänner to immerse yourself in the regional coffee culture, especially in a cozy cafe setting.

*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.