Cafe Brulot Espresso

By Hklbrries

"There is a legend, handed down through generations of Louisiana folk, that Jean Lafitte, the pirate, warmed himself by mixing what he had aboard his brig - coffee, brandies, spices, and citrus. The bone chilling cold of the Louisiana swamps in winter gave birth to his liquid legacy."

Ingredients

• 1 4-inch cinnamon stick
• 8 to 10 whole cloves
• Zest of 2 oranges, in thin slivers
• Zest of 2 lemons, in thin slivers
• 6 lumps sugar
• 1 cup (8 ounces) brandy, warmed
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) Curacao, warmed
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) Cointreau
• 2 cups (16 ounces) brewed espresso, hot
• Lemon juice, optional
• Sugar, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Combine spices, peels and sugar in a pan; mash with the ladle and add brandy, Curacao and Cointreau. Stir, ignite with a long match, and ladle flaming spirits back and forth from the pan to another bowl, creating the effect of a column of fire. When the sugar has dissolved, gradually add the brewed espresso, stirring until the flame burns out. Strain into 8-ounce cups that may be ringed with lemon and sugar. Serve hot.