Dear coffee lover: if you are here, it is because, like us, you appreciate a coffee made to perfection. Don’t you?
Maybe you like to experiment, to go beyond the usual espresso and discover new flavours. Today we take you on a rather special journey, to discover a fascinating preparation, a little different from the usual: sailor’s coffee. It is not a simple drink, but a real ritual that has its roots in seafaring traditions, when sailors on the high seas needed a coffee that was both energising and comforting. And the great thing is that, with a little care, you can make it yourself, in your own kitchen, so that you can enjoy a coffee with a unique flavour and rich history.
If you are intrigued by the idea of trying something different, then sit back and read on: here is everything you need to know about sailor’s coffee.
History of sailor coffee
The sailor’s coffee, for many, is a true-life story. It represents, in fact, a bit of an echo of the labours and traditions of the fishermen of the Marche region.
Its story is rooted in a context of necessity: resisting the cold, fatigue and distance from home during long fishing trips. Try to imagine these men, continually bound to the sea, facing the cold of the night and endless days. For them, coffee became more than just a stimulant: it was a warm embrace, a kind of familiar comfort in a less than comfortable environment.
Initially, they relied on wine or rum flavoured with spices to warm them up, but soon realised that coffee, brewed with a moka pot, was the perfect base for an energising and comforting drink. To this, they added a touch of rum or other aniseed-flavoured spirits, along with whatever spices they could find on board or in the ports they landed in.
We like to think that each sailor, after all, put a little bit of himself into the recipe, making it unique and personal. This ancient custom, passed down from father to son, has made sailor’s coffee an iconic drink of the region, a symbol of their strength and ingenuity.
In short, the sailor’s coffee is a drink that lives on, both in the typical bars and fishing boats and in the homes of those who love to rediscover the authentic flavours and tales of the past.
Remember, then, that we at Pontevecchio know about coffee. If you want to drink a good coffee, you should do it with the right machine: discover the right coffee machine for you.
Seaman’s coffee recipe
Despite the variations and customisations, which we discussed earlier, there are some basic elements that make this drink unique and recognisable. The particularity of this preparation lies in the fact that rum and aniseed liqueur are cooked together with the coffee in the moka pot and not added afterwards. This infusion process, which is a handed-down secret, creates a unique harmony of flavours.
Now, let’s discover together the ingredients to prepare an authentic sailor’s coffee (for one person):
- Ground coffee: preferably 100% Arabica, about 2 heaped teaspoons. For this ritual, we recommend a blend with a rounded flavour and fruity aroma, which goes perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Rum: ½ shot (about 20-25 ml).
- Liquore all’anice: ½ shot (approx. 20-25 ml). For a truly authentic taste, use Mistrà, a liqueur typical of the Marche region. Alternatively, any dry aniseed liqueur will do.
- Acqua: enough to fill the moka pot to the indicated level.
Now that you have all the ingredients, this is it. Pour the rum, the aniseed liqueur and finally the water directly into the moka pot. Insert the filter and add the ground coffee. Close the moka pot well and place it on the stove, preferably over a low flame, to allow the coffee to release all its aromas during the infusion. Do not open the moka pot until the coffee has completely come out.
Once ready, pour it into your favourite mug and enjoy this relaxing moment.
How to enjoy sailor’s coffee
The sailor’s coffee, as we have seen, is a real experience, to be enjoyed to the full.
Tradition dictates that it should be enjoyed hot, just as sailors sipped it to keep warm during cold nights at sea. In this way, the intense aroma of rum is released to its fullest, providing a warm and enveloping embrace.
But this is not the only way to enjoy this drink. In fact, if you prefer more delicate and fresh flavours, you can opt for a cold sailor’s coffee, leaving it to cool in the moka pot or storing it in the fridge for a few hours after pouring it into the cup. At this temperature, the aroma of aniseed will prevail, giving it a special, refreshing note.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a perfect balance, room temperature is the ideal choice: neither too hot nor too cold. In this way, you will be able to savour all the nuances of the individual ingredients, feeling the roundness of the Arabica coffee, the warmth of the rum and an aromatic touch, typical of the aniseed.
But that’s not all! In fact, sailor’s coffee also lends itself as a liqueur to accompany desserts and sweets. Try it cold on a slice of freshly baked cake, or warm on vanilla or chocolate ice cream, for a contrast of temperatures and textures that will surprise you and your guests.
There are no fixed rules: experiment, play with temperatures, and let your senses guide you. In any case, the sailor’s coffee will be able to give you moments of pure pleasure, combining tradition and modernity in a single drink.
In short, the sailor’s coffee is much more than a simple drink: it is a journey through the history, culture and flavours of the Marche’s maritime tradition. To fully savour the authenticity of this experience, however, it is essential to prepare a quality coffee, using a machine that enhances its aroma and body.
We at Pontevecchio, with our passion for coffee, have always dedicated ourselves to the creation of lever coffee machines that allow for a perfect extraction, capable of enhancing every single nuance. Now, all you have to do is try to prepare your own sailor’s coffee, so that you can fully experience this tradition: choose the lever coffee machine that suits you best and let yourself be conquered by a sip of history and authentic pleasure. Discover our range and start your journey.
