To make this Ocean State specialty, chilled coffee and whole milk are blended with coffee ice cream and a homemade coffee syrup.
Updated November 17, 2023
Serious Eats / Alexandra Penfold
Why It Works
- A homemade coffee syrup allows this Rhode Island specialty to be made anywhere without ordering specialty ingredients.
- Using chilled coffee, coffee syrup, and coffee-flavored ice cream results in a milkshake with layers of coffee flavor.
When is a coffee shake not a coffee shake? When it’s from Rhode Island and it’s known to locals as a “coffee cabinet.” Rhode Islanders take their coffee/dairy beverages seriously; coffee milk was named the state drink in 1993. So it’s no surprise that the Ocean State is home to a mean coffee milkshake.
The definitive origins of the name “coffee cabinet” may be lost to history. Some stories claim that it’s because the druggists who prepared these drinks kept their blenders (and/or coffee syrup) in cabinets behind the counter. One thing is for certain, however: you need both coffee syrup AND coffee ice cream to make a true coffee cabinet. Newport Creamery is one of the most famous spots in the state to get your fix. There it’s known as an Awful Awful® for “Awful Big” and “Awful Good.”
Rhode Islanders tend to favor old-time local coffee syrups like Autocrat or Eclipse, while relative newcomer Morning Glory was the winner in a Serious Eats taste test back in 2010. Outside of Rhode Island it can be hard to find coffee syrup at the store, and many brands are loaded with high fructose corn syrup. Fortunately, making your own coffee syrup at home is simple, fun, and as a bonus, it allows you to use your favorite roast or blend sans additives or funny business, just pure coffee goodness.
This recipe was originally published as part of the column “American Classics.”
June 2012
Coffee Cabinets (Rhode Island-Style Coffee Milkshakes) Recipe
For the Coffee Syrup:
-
1 cup strong brewed coffee
-
1 cup sugar
-
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Coffee Cabinet:
-
1 pint coffee ice cream
-
1/4 cup whole milk
-
1/4 cup chilled coffee
-
2 tablespoons coffee syrup
-
In a medium saucepan dissolve sugar in coffee. Bring mixture to a light boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer until the mixture has reduced to form a slightly thickened syrup, about 15 minutes (see note). Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract. Refrigerate and allow to cool, about 15 minutes.
-
Add ice cream, milk, chilled coffee and coffee syrup to blender. Blend until smooth. If you prefer a thinner shake, you can add additional milk and/or chilled coffee, if desired.
Special Equipment
Medium saucepan, blender
Notes
Because this homemade syrup is made with just sugar rather than corn syrup, it won’t be as viscous as the store-bought variety. Be careful not to over-reduce the mixture or you’ll end up with a syrup that’s too thick to blend.
Read More
- Frappé (Foamy Iced Coffee)
- Caffè Shakerato (Italian-Style Shaken Iced Coffee)
- Jus Alpukat (Indonesian Avocado-Coffee Shake)
- What’s the Best Way to Brew Iced Coffee?
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 533 | Calories |
| 31g | Fat |
| 56g | Carbs |
| 8g | Protein |
×
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 2 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 533 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| 31g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat 20g | 100% |
| 175mg | 58% |
| 130mg | 6% |
| 56g | 20% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 53g | |
| 8g | |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium 255mg | 20% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 364mg | 8% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
To make this Ocean State specialty, chilled coffee and whole milk are blended with coffee ice cream and a homemade coffee syrup. Updated November 17, 2023 Serious Eats / Alexandra Penfold Why It Works A homemade coffee syrup allows this Rhode Island specialty to be made anywhere without ordering specialty ingredients.Using chilled coffee, coffee syrup, and coffee-flavored ice cream results in a milkshake with layers of coffee flavor. When is a coffee shake not a coffee shake? When it’s from Rhode Island and it’s known to locals as a “coffee cabinet.” Rhode Islanders take their coffee/dairy beverages seriously; coffee milk was named the state drink in 1993. So it’s no surprise that the Ocean State is home to a mean coffee milkshake. The definitive origins of the name “coffee cabinet” may be lost to history. Some stories claim that it’s because the druggists who prepared these drinks kept their blenders (and/or coffee syrup) in cabinets behind the counter. One thing is for certain, however: you need both coffee syrup AND coffee ice cream to make a true coffee cabinet. Newport Creamery is one of the most famous spots in the state to get your fix. There it’s known as an Awful Awful® for “Awful Big” and “Awful Good.” Rhode Islanders tend to favor old-time local coffee syrups like Autocrat or Eclipse, while relative newcomer Morning Glory was the winner in a Serious Eats taste test back in 2010. Outside of Rhode Island it can be hard to find coffee syrup at the store, and many brands are loaded with high fructose corn syrup. Fortunately, making your own coffee syrup at home is simple, fun, and as a bonus, it allows you to use your favorite roast or blend sans additives or funny business, just pure coffee goodness. This recipe was originally published as part of the column “American Classics.” June 2012 Coffee Cabinets (Rhode Island-Style Coffee Milkshakes) Recipe For the Coffee Syrup: 1 cup strong brewed coffee 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract For the Coffee Cabinet: 1 pint coffee ice cream 1/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup chilled coffee 2 tablespoons coffee syrup In a medium saucepan dissolve sugar in coffee. Bring mixture to a light boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer until the mixture has reduced to form a slightly thickened syrup, about 15 minutes (see note). Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract. Refrigerate and allow to cool, about 15 minutes. Add ice cream, milk, chilled coffee and coffee syrup to blender. Blend until smooth. If you prefer a thinner shake, you can add additional milk and/or chilled coffee, if desired. Special Equipment Medium saucepan, blender Notes Because this homemade syrup is made with just sugar rather than corn syrup, it won’t be as viscous as the store-bought variety. Be careful not to over-reduce the mixture or you’ll end up with a syrup that’s too thick to blend. Read More Frappé (Foamy Iced Coffee) Caffè Shakerato (Italian-Style Shaken Iced Coffee) Jus Alpukat (Indonesian Avocado-Coffee Shake) What’s the Best Way to Brew Iced Coffee? Nutrition Facts (per serving) 533 Calories 31g Fat 56g Carbs 8g Protein × Nutrition Facts Servings: 2 Amount per serving Calories 533 % Daily Value* 31g 40% Saturated Fat 20g 100% 175mg 58% 130mg 6% 56g 20% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Total Sugars 53g 8g Vitamin C 0mg 0% Calcium 255mg 20% Iron 1mg 4% Potassium 364mg 8% *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. (Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Coffee Cabinets (Rhode Island-Style Coffee Milkshakes) Recipe
