Puerto Rican recipe · measured and tested
Coffee Syrup for Mallorca, Pancakes and Desserts: Concentrated without Scorching
A small-batch coffee syrup for Mallorca bread and desserts without excessive sweetness.

Reducing coffee for too long concentrates bitterness along with aroma. This syrup uses a short cook and enough sugar for texture, but it is served by teaspoons rather than as a drink.
Recipe at a glance
Yield: About 180 ml
Time: 15 minutes
Best coffee: Strong, clean filter coffee
Ingredients
- 150 ml strong coffee
- 120 g brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Method
- Combine coffee, sugar and salt in a small pan.
- Bring to a gentle boil while stirring to dissolve.
- Cook five to seven minutes until it lightly coats a spoon.
- Remove, add vanilla and cool.
- Transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate.
Why this ratio works
The ratio creates a light syrup that thickens further while cooling. Stopping early avoids dark caramel and burnt notes.
Adjust it without losing the coffee
Serve one teaspoon over warm Mallorca, pancakes or ice cream. Add a little hot water if it thickens too much in refrigeration.
Troubleshooting
For crystallization, warm gently with one tablespoon water. Burnt syrup cannot be repaired with vanilla; begin again over lower heat.
Serve and store safely
Hot syrup burns. Cool before bottling, refrigerate and use within two weeks with a clean utensil.
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