Saint Martin
Saint Martin, a unique island divided between a French side (Saint-Martin) and a Dutch side (Sint Maarten), offers a fascinating blend of coffee cultures. You'll find strong French influences on one side, a more diverse international/Caribbean vibe on the other, and a general appreciation for both quality espresso and refreshing cold options.
Here's a breakdown of the different ways to order a coffee on Saint Martin and what's in them:
French Side (Saint-Martin) - French Cafe Standards & Elegance
On the French side, especially in Marigot and Grand Case, you'll find a distinct French cafe ambiance.
Café / Espresso / Café Express:
What's in it: A single shot of strong, concentrated coffee, made with an espresso machine. This is the default when you simply ask for "un café."
How to order: "Un café, s'il vous plaît." (A coffee, please.) or "Un espresso."
Note: For a double shot, you'd ask for "un double espresso" or "un café double."
Café Allongé:
What's in it: An espresso shot diluted with more hot water, creating a longer, less intense black coffee. Similar to an Americano.
How to order: "Un café allongé."
Café Américain / Americano:
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water.
How to order: "Un café américain" or "Un Americano."
Café au Lait:
What's in it: Literally "coffee with milk." This is a classic French breakfast coffee, made with strong brewed coffee (or sometimes espresso) mixed with a generous amount of hot milk, often in equal proportions. It's traditionally served in a large bowl.
How to order: "Un café au lait."
Café Crème:
What's in it: An espresso with steamed milk and a lighter, thinner layer of foam compared to a cappuccino. Often creamier.
How to order: "Un café crème."
Cappuccino:
What's in it: Espresso with steamed milk and a generous, distinct layer of frothed milk foam.
How to order: "Un cappuccino."
Latte (Caffè Latte):
What's in it: Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Generally creamier and milder.
How to order: "Un latte" or "Un caffè latte." Flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel) might be available in more modern spots.
Macchiato:
What's in it: Espresso "marked" with a small dollop of foamed milk.
How to order: "Un macchiato" or "Un espresso macchiato."
Instant Coffee:
What's in it: Powdered coffee granules mixed with hot water. Common in smaller, very local establishments or homes due to convenience.
How to order: Simply asking for "coffee" might yield instant coffee in some places.
Iced Coffee / Cold Coffee Drinks:
Iced Coffee: Typically brewed coffee (drip or espresso-based) served over ice. Milk and sugar are usually added to taste.
Iced Latte: Espresso and cold milk poured over ice.
Iced Americano: Espresso and cold water poured over ice.
Iced Mocha: Espresso, chocolate syrup, and cold milk poured over ice, often topped with whipped cream.
Cold Brew: Coffee grounds steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a less acidic, smoother concentrate, diluted with water or milk and served over ice. Increasingly found in specialty-focused cafes.
Frappe-style Drinks (Blended Iced Coffee): Blended ice, coffee (espresso or coffee concentrate), milk, sugar, and often flavored syrups. Usually topped with whipped cream.
How to order: "Iced Coffee," "Iced Latte," "Iced Americano," "Cold Brew," or "Coffee Frappe" (or specific branded names like "Frappuccino").
Local & Specialty Touches
Locally Roasted Coffee:
While Saint Martin doesn't grow coffee, there are local roasters that import green beans and roast them on the island, contributing to fresher and higher-quality options in cafes. Look for mentions of "locally roasted" or specific roasters.
What's in it: High-quality Arabica beans from various regions (e.g., Brazil, Colombia, Central America) roasted on the island.
How to order: You'd order any of the standard hot or cold coffee drinks.
Spiked Coffees / Caribbean Coffee Cocktails:
What's in it: Hot or iced coffee combined with various spirits common in the Caribbean, such as rum (local rum is very popular), coffee liqueurs, cream liqueurs, or other spirits.
How to order: Look for "Specialty Coffees" or "Coffee Cocktails" on menus.
Coffee with Condensed/Evaporated Milk:
What's in it: Especially in smaller, more local establishments or in homes, strong brewed coffee (or instant) is commonly served with a generous amount of condensed milk and/or evaporated milk and sugar. This results in a very sweet and creamy coffee, a common Caribbean preference.
How to order: You might simply ask for "coffee," and if in a very local spot, it might come prepared this way. If you prefer it less sweet or black, you'll need to specify.
General Ordering Tips:
Language: On the French side, French is official, but English is widely understood. Menus are often bilingual or multilingual.
Milk Options: Cafes will typically offer dairy milk (whole, skimmed) and often plant-based alternatives like almond milk and oat milk. In more traditional or less formal settings, evaporated or condensed milk is prevalent.
Sweetness: For black coffee or Americanos, sugar/sweetener is usually provided on the side. For milk coffees, you can specify your sweetness preference ("sans sucre" - no sugar; "un peu de sucre" - a little sugar). Many pre-mixed Caribbean-style coffees will be quite sweet.
Saint Martin offers a delightful coffee journey that reflects its dual identity and global appeal, ensuring there's a coffee for every taste.
*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.