Cafe Royale

I really like the wake-up kick and rich brulee cognac flavor of the Cafe Royale! This drink requires the slightly risky step of flaming sugar cubes covered in brandy over a hot cup of coffee.

The coffee has to be pretty hot and you need to leave the cognac and sugar cubes balanced above the coffee on the rim of the mug so that the alcohol begins to evaporate. Wait about 2 minutes before igniting. It is pretty and rich and just makes you swoon!

• 2 oz. brandy or cognac (D'usse cognac please)
• 1 sugar cube (I used 3 small ones.)
• 1 cup black coffee
• half-and-half to taste

Pour coffee and cognac into a warm mug and balance a spoon over the coffee with sugar cubes soaked in cognac over it. Wait for the cognac to warm up, then ignite it and allow the sugar to melt. Drop the flaming cognac and sugar into the coffee and stir. Float half-and-half on top.