Sweeter Types of Coffee - The Definitive Guide

If you’re looking for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth and get your daily dose of caffeine at the same time, sweet coffee is the perfect way to go.

Of course, you can always take an Americano or a draft coffee and add cream and sugar to it, but specialty coffees are more fun.

There are many ways to sweeten coffee, but most establishments use flavored syrups, whipped cream, hot chocolate, caramel pieces, or other delights to create a coffee experience closer to dessert than just a cup of joe.

So what are the sweetest types of coffee?

According to the coffee shop, mochas, bonbons, frappés (or frappuccinos), sweetened cappuccinos, Vietnamese iced coffee, Irish coffee, affogatos, and sugared lattes are some of the sweetest types of coffee around.

1. Mocha

I’m sure this cafe needs no introduction, but I’ll do it anyway.  A mocha is made with a combination of chocolate (syrup, hot chocolate, or cocoa powder), espresso, and steamed milk.

Its name comes from the moka coffee beans (Arabica beans) that are originally collected in Mocha, in Yemen.

These beans are slightly sweet and have chocolatey undertones, making them perfect for mixing with chocolate for a special sweet drink.

To bring out the chocolate flavors in a mocha, it is made with an espresso, hot chocolate, steamed milk, and foam. The typical recipe you will find is

• 2 shots of espresso
• 2 ounces of hot chocolate
• 1 ounce steamed milk
• a thin layer of milk foam

It’s a perfect choice for people who like the richness of chocolate and coffee together, plus a touch of steamed milk and foam.

The mochas will be sweeter if the cafeteria uses chocolate syrup or hot chocolate instead of cocoa powder, so be sure to ask.

I think some more traditional coffee shops use cocoa powder, while chains like Starbucks use a syrup or hot chocolate. If the place you went to uses cocoa powder, ask for syrup or sweetener to be added.

Here is a great video with different mocha recipes that you have to try!

2. Cafe Bombón

If you want to go really decadent, a Café Bombón is the way to go. This Spanish-style coffee originates from Valencia and is made from a combination of espresso and condensed milk.

The term “bombón” actually means jam or candy in Spanish, so you know what to expect.

To make a Café Bombón you need a ratio of 1 part espresso to 1 part condensed milk. It is usually served in a transparent coffee cup with the different layers visible. Then you can stir it all together to enjoy it.

To prepare it at home you will need your own espresso machine (you can buy an affordable one here) and condensed milk.

Combine a shot of espresso with an equal amount of condensed milk in a clear glass, being careful to keep the layers separate. Stir gently each time you take a sip.

If you want to be even more decadent, you can cover your Café Bombón with chocolate syrup and/or cocoa powder.

3. Frappés or Frappucinos

If you’re after the sweetest of sweets, frappés/frappucinos are definitely the way to go.

This iced coffee drink originates from Greece, but has morphed since its arrival in North America into something that’s more like a dessert than a coffee, which isn’t a bad thing!

This drink is usually made from a combination of espresso mixed with some type of flavored syrup (the options are quite extensive), cold milk, crushed ice, and whipped cream.

It’s not uncommon to find frappes covered in chocolate syrup, cookie pieces or candy bars, or other treats.

Some popular Starbucks flavors are

• Vanilla Cream Frappuccino
• Java Chip Frappuccino
• mocha frappuccino
• caramel frappuccino
• Cream of Chai Frappuccino
• White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
• Strawberry Funnel Cake
• Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
• Coffee and Vanilla Frappuccino
• Crunchy Caramel Ribbon Frappuccino
• Matcha Cream Frappuccino
• Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino

4. Sweetened cappuccino

Another incredibly popular coffee in stores across the country is cappuccino. Depending on where you buy your coffee, it can be super sweet or taste like a rich espresso.

A cappuccino is typically made in a 1:1 ratio of espresso and milk, topped with a thick layer of aerated milk foam.

This tighter ratio makes the cappuccino have a much stronger espresso flavor. In capuchins, the layers are kept separate. This separation contributes to the cappuccino having a strong and marked espresso flavor.

However, some shops add chocolate syrup to the espresso mix or top it with cocoa powder, or even add some simple syrups to the base to make a deliciously sweet drink.

Be sure to ask how your shop makes cappuccino so you can customize it to add the sweetness you’re looking for.

5. Vietnamese iced coffee

Vietnamese iced coffees are becoming more popular and easy to find in North America because they are absolutely delicious and decadent. These sweet coffees are similar to a Café Bombón, but are brewed slightly differently.

Although both the Vietnamese iced coffee and the Café Bombón use sweetened condensed milk (grab a can here!) as their base, the coffee itself is prepared differently.

Café Bombón uses espresso, while Vietnamese iced coffees are brewed with coarsely ground coffee beans in a special Vietnamese coffee pot known as a phin cà phê (get one here!) for about 10 minutes.

The coffee is then mixed with a generous amount (the ratio is up to you!) of sweetened condensed milk and poured over ice for a deliciously sweet drink. It is thick, rich and very sweet.

6. Irish coffee

Even people who don’t drink coffee have probably heard of Irish coffee.

This cocktail is one of the most popular, probably because it is socially acceptable to drink one for breakfast. Typically, this coffee is made with one or two shots of espresso, although you can also use a strong filter coffee.

After the espresso, the next ingredients are Irish whiskey, sugar and lots of cream. This combination creates a sweet, delicious coffee with a little twist that’s perfect for lazy weekend or vacation mornings.

You can also make an Irish coffee by using Bailey’s Irish Cream instead of the whiskey and cream.

It makes the whole process a bit faster and you don’t have to keep multiple items on hand. And feel free to add that chocolate drizzle for even more decadence!

7. Affogato

Although this cafe may be more common on dessert menus, it is an amazing experience not to be missed.

The Affogato is made by combining a shot of espresso with delicious ice cream. Affogato is an Italian term meaning “drowned” and the full name of this drink is actually affogato al caffè.

That name translates to “drowned in coffee,” which is exactly what happens to your ice cream when you make this drink for dessert. You grab a scoop or two of high-quality ice cream and pour a shot of rich espresso over it.

The flavor of the ice cream can vary, but I would avoid anything fruity as that profile will not complement the flavor of the coffee. Some of the more common ice cream or gelato flavors to use in an affogato are

• Vanilla
• Chocolat
• Pistachio
• stracciatella
• Hazelnut or Nutella
• Candy
• candy swirl

You can also use a high-quality gelato instead of ice cream, which is probably closer to what you’d get if you ordered this drink in Italy. Try topping your affogato with chocolate curls and even a shot of nut schnapps.

8. Sweetened Latte

A latte is a popular drink made with an espresso base, steamed milk, and foam to create a drink with a subtle espresso flavor that is creamy and rich.

They are incredibly popular in North America thanks to their comforting taste and creamy texture.

While there’s no hard and fast rule about the ratio of espresso to milk in a latte, you’ll typically have about 1 ounce of espresso for every 8 ounces of steamed milk in a store-bought latte.

The milk and espresso are mixed and covered with a thin layer of foamed milk.

The amount of milk in a latte will vary if you make it at home. If you want to make a creamy latte, you can combine at least 1 part espresso with 3 parts steamed milk.

You’ll also want to get a milk frother so you can top it with the aerated foam, as this adds a delicious texture to the drink.

It’s not uncommon for a coffee shop to give you a syrup-sweetened latte, earning it a place on our list of sweetest coffees.

It depends on the coffee shop you visit, so be sure to ask how they sweeten their lattes - you might have to ask for a little syrup!

You can also ask for a little chocolate syrup on top to take your creamy, delicious latte to the next level of sweetness. Here are a couple of popular sweetened lattes for you to try if you have a sweet tooth.

9. Mocha Hazelnut Latte

There is something about hazelnuts that provides a natural sweetness to coffee. I don’t know if it’s because of the association with Nutella or those Ferraro Rocher chocolates, but when you add hazelnuts to coffee, it just screams sweetness!

A hazelnut latte can be made with hazelnut flavored coffee, syrup, or cream, depending on your preferences and what you have. You can add different flavors, such as vanilla or chocolate syrup.

If you want to make a simple hazelnut latte, you can make a hazelnut latte, froth some steamed milk and vanilla, and top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

You can also buy a hazelnut flavored creamer to use with your regular coffee, heat it up and whip it into your coffee before topping it with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

You also don’t have to add the chocolate syrup if you prefer just the taste of hazelnuts. Adding the syrup makes it taste more like Nutella and definitely adds an extra touch of sweetness.

10. Caramel Latte Brulee

The word brulee means burnt or toasted in French.

This winter coffee has a delicious toasted caramel syrup that is combined with vanilla, steamed milk and espresso or drip coffee to create a decadent, sweet and caffeine-packed delight to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Some coffee shops top it with whipped cream and caramel bits for a truly decadent latte dessert experience.

11. White Chocolate Mocha Latte

If you like mochas, I suggest you try this variant that uses white chocolate instead of dark chocolate.

It seems to me that they are sweeter and have a unique flavor. Using white chocolate syrup or even white chocolate chips is a delicious way to create a rich and creamy sweetened coffee.

You can get these types of coffees in many coffee shops, but they are also easy to prepare at home.

All you have to do is grab some white chocolate syrup or chocolate chips. Having a milk frother or immersion blender is another great way to get that cafeteria foam so typical of a good latte.

You can use your favorite brand of coffee or a shot of espresso and then combine it with some white chocolate syrup, some vanilla and some steamed milk.

Top it with whipped cream and white chocolate chips for the most decadent white chocolate latte possible.

12. Caramel Walnut Latte

This latte is probably one of my favorites. It tastes buttery and has a roasted nutty flavor that is sweet and guaranteed to warm your tummy from within.

Many coffee shops make it by mixing the espresso with caramel nut syrup and steamed milk.

You can add whipped cream and pieces of caramel. Adding these extras is a great way to add more sweetness to your drinks.

To make your caramel pecan latte at home, you will need to purchase a caramel pecan syrup, which you can purchase on Amazon.

You can check the current price here, so you can fully stock up on your caramel pecan latte in the comfort of your own home.

If you don’t have an espresso machine, try using a strong filter coffee instead.

Final thoughts

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy sweet, decadent coffee. My sweetest types of coffee are

• Mochas
• Bonbon coffee
• Frappés or Frappucinos
• sugared cappuccinos
• Vietnamese Iced Coffee
• Irish coffee
• affogato
• Sweetened lattes like the Hazelnut Mocha Latte, Caramel Brulee Latte, White Chocolate Mocha Latte, and Pecan Toffee Latte.

Whatever your preference, there is sure to be a coffee that satisfies your sweet tooth and provides you with a good caffeine hit to help you through the day.