Pharisäer
Coffee with rum hidden under whipped cream. A North Frisian classic with a cheeky origin story.
Served hot · Heatproof glass · Easy · about 4 minutes · about 5% ABV
Ingredients
- 30 ml Dark rum
- 10 ml Sugar syrup
- 150 ml Hot coffee
- 40 ml Thickened cream
Method
- Warm the glass
- Pour 30 ml dark rum into the glass
- Pour 10 ml sugar syrup into the glass
- Pour 150 ml hot coffee into the glass
- Float 40 ml thickened cream on top
- Serve
Tip
Don't stir. You sip the coffee through the cream.
About the Pharisäer
The Pharisäer comes from the island of Nordstrand in northern Germany. The story says a strict pastor banned drinking, so locals hid rum in their coffee under whipped cream. When he found out, he cried "Ihr Pharisäer!" ("You Pharisees!").
The coffee family. Coffee and spirits have long been paired across Europe, from the Spanish carajillo to the Italian caffè corretto. Irish Coffee was created at Foynes in Ireland in the early 1940s, and the Espresso Martini in London in the 1980s. These drinks belong to the after-dinner tradition.
Pharisäer FAQ
What's in a Pharisäer?
30 ml dark rum, 10 ml sugar syrup, 150 ml hot coffee, 40 ml thickened cream.
How strong is a Pharisäer?
About 5% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 0.9 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is about as strong as a glass of wine or lighter.
Should I shake or stir a Pharisäer?
Neither. Build it in a warm glass and stir until any sugar dissolves.
What glass do you serve a Pharisäer in?
A heatproof glass, about 250 ml. Warm the glass first. No heatproof glass? Use a coffee mug.
