13 delicious coffee drinks found around the world

One of the first “international” coffee drinks I ever had the pleasure of sampling. You’ll find these on almost any Thai restaurant menu, should you be unable to just pop over to the Southeast Asian nation. This isn’t your typical drive-thru coffee stand invention. Iced coffee mixed with evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk creates a uniquely strong, sugary, and thick creamy drink.

You might find flat whites all over US cafes these days, but they’re a fairly recent addition to North America. Created in the '80s in Australia and perfected in New Zealand, the two countries fight for origin-story rights. The drink didn’t make its way to the US (beyond a few snobby hipster cafes) until 2015, when Starbucks placed it on all North American menus. The name refers to the milk, which isn’t as foamy as a latte. Flat white milk is heated until just before that happens.

The preferred summertime drink of the Greeks, this iced espresso drink is perfect for sipping on any island beach. Made from double shots of espresso shaken until foamed, you can enjoy it sweetened with sugar or plain. And if you add frothed milk, you get a freddo cappuccino!

The best thing my Italian friends have ever made for me. It’s similar to coffee gelato but not quite as cold — and a perfect alternative to hot espresso in the summer. Made from whipped cream, espresso, and powdered sugar, traditionally combined in a blender or electric mixer.

Coffee and milk but not quite a French latte. A latte is an espresso combined with foamed milk. Cafe au lait is coffee with hot added but not foamed or frothed at all, so not a flat white. Different from white coffee, which is added to cold milk. It is frequently served at cafes and brasseries around France.

Divisive among coffee lovers from all walks of life, Turkish coffee is a love-or-hate item. Called Turkish coffee, but it's quite popular around the Middle East and Balkan countries. Traditionally brewed in a copper coffee pot called a “cezve” with especially finely ground coffee and water over a stove, the drink produced is thick and rich, which you may like. Also, make sure you wait a minute for the grounds to settle on the bottom after pouring. I learned that mistake the hard way!

This invention translates to Vietnamese egg coffee and is much more delicious than you’re probably imagining! Made from an egg yolk, beat with condensed milk until fluffy. It’s then poured over hot espresso or iced coffee for a delicious treat, no matter the weather!

Spiced iced coffee from Mexico with a surprisingly sweet taste. Made by boiling water with dark brown sugar, cloves, and cinnamon, then adding the coffee to steep while turning the heat off. Don’t forget to strain it before serving! While not traditional, you can add milk and/or liquor for variety.

German for iced coffee, this drink is a bit different than what you’ll find at Starbucks — made from instant coffee, which usually repulses me except when combined with ice cream and topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips. The perfect caffeine-sweet treat on any hot day!

This Austrian drink translates to “Emperor’s Melange” and dates back to the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Espresso mixed with egg yolk and either honey or brown sugar, you’ll occasionally see it offered with a shot of cognac. Whip cream is optional.

Found in Spain, Portugal, and around Latin America, you’ve likely seen this on the menu of a coffee shop somewhere in the world. The drink is simple espresso combined with almost the same amount of milk (and thus smaller than a latte), but the milk is warmed just enough, not frothed or foamed.

This classic is frequently found on bar and cafe menus alike. Hot coffee with brown sugar and Irish whiskey mixed in, topped with whipped cream.

The national liquor in Brazil is cachaca — white rum made from sugar cane. A popular drink found in big cities is to mix this with espresso and coconut water to cool off after a beach day.