How To Make Croatian Coffee – The Perfect brew

Chasing the Donkey may include affiliate links - if you decide to make a purchase through these links, we receive a commission without any additional cost to you. Disclaimer & privacy policy.
Post author SJ

Written by our local expert SJ

Sarah-Jane has lived in Croatia for 10+ years. SJ, as she is known, has been traveling the Balkans & beyond since 2000. She now shares her passion for traveling with her husband & kids.

I love buying Croatian coffee and gifting it to friends and family. Each time I do, they ask, how do you make Croatian coffee? So here is how…

Zagreb Spiza And Coffee - With Flag

One of my favorite things to give as a gift when I travel is coffee. I love finding all types of coffee of the world, buying it, drinking it, and as I said gifting it to friends and family. There are so many benefits of coffee – more than just the buzz!

On my recent trip home to Australia, I took half a suitcase full of Croatian coffee to hand out as souvenirs.

The type of coffee I’m referring to is known as crna kava (black coffee) and has roots that stem from the Ottomans.  

I call it Croatian coffee because it’s coffee in Croatia, but you probably know it as Turkish Coffee. Be warned this is strong coffee and when you start making it your house will be full of that lovely coffee aroma.

Each packet I gave to my Australian relatives (who love coffee as much as me) all wanted to know how to make Croatian coffee. It made me realize that its not so obvious, and so I repeated myself over and over. Now, when they ask, I can share this recipe.

Ordering Coffee in Greece - All you need to know

Coffee to Croatian’s is important. No, seriously, really important. On a daily basis, people are socializing, meeting, dating, etc. at the local Coffee bar or at home around the dining table drinking Croatian coffee.

How to make Croatian coffee | Coffee Pot

Croatian Coffee Recipe

I love buying Croatian coffee and gifting it to friends and family. Each time I do, they ask, how do you make Croatian coffee? So here is how...

Ingredients

  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Finely ground coffee

Instructions

  1. Measure the water into the pot by using one full espresso cup for each person
  2. Add 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar to the pot per cup of water. (My mother-in-law adds one teaspoon)
  3. Boil the water
  4. Take the pot off the heat. This is very IMPORTANT OR ELSE IT WILL SPILL OVER. Stir in one heaped teaspoon of finely ground coffee for each cup
  5. Stir rapidly with a circular motion and return the pot to the heat
  6. Watch the pot like a hawk. When the coffee begins to bubble up (do not let it boil), pull it off the heat, let it settle, and return it to the heat and do it again
  7. Let the coffee settle to allow the grains to fall to the bottom, then pour into your serving cups

Brands We Use And Trust

  

Which Croatian Coffee Should You Buy?

My Croatian coffee of choice is Jubilarna, Franck Coffee. I like Franck coffee, but more so love how it comes vacuum-packed in a brick-like package. Very easy to pack in a suitcase.

Which Coffee Pot Should You Use?

I own a few; they all do the same job, in my opinion. Here are some of the ones I own.

PLUS: When something like a warm cup of Croatian coffee plays such a significant role as it does here in Croatia, I feel it my duty to help you – the traveler with these tips to help you find your way through the coffee ordering scene – enjoy.

After you’ve made your coffee we suggest that you sit back with a great book. 

You can find great travel coffee table books here.

How do you make your Croatian coffee?

Comments (82)

  1. This is exactly how Romanians prepare their coffee. I grew up making coffee like this, but I am so much happier now, with my Expresso machine.

  2. Turkish coffee is amazing. I still remember when Sabrina Bešić Greatheart made it for me in louisiana

  3. As a kid, I didn’t like the coffee, so I used to pour it into the nearest houseplant. Then I’d flip the cup upside down onto the saucer, and take it to my Aunt. She used to read or fortunes in the coffee grounds.

    1. HA, those poor plants. Ive never had my fortune read, I need to find someone who does that!

  4. I drink croatian coffee when visiting my in-laws who live in Dubrovnik. However, I always miss my American style brewed coffee. My sweet mother-in-law recently purchased a coffe pot so that I can make my own American style. It’s her way to make me feel at home. I do love macchiatos from the local cafes around the area and greatly appreciate the glass of cold water that’s always served! Wish they did that here in US.

    1. Nawww ain’t she sweet! And yes, a glass of FREE cold water is always a bonus. That costs extra is lots of places around the globe sadly.

  5. Luckily you noted “turkish” as we’ve (Dubrovnik / konavle region) always called it turska kava (turkish coffee) and the other being Nes (nescafe). Prava kava (real coffee) has always been noted as espresso.

  6. I would be needing the teaspoon of sugar like your mum. We love coffee too. My hubby even roasts our beans.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Move This Adventure To Your Inbox & Get An Instant Freebie

Subscribe To Unlock Your FREE Customizable Travel Packing List & All Our Best Tips!

Skip to Recipe