Raf Coffee · Sage/Breville Barista Express · LVL 1
🔥 Learn how to make the Perfect Raf Coffee on the Breville/Sage Barista Express! This is our Basic (LVL 1), beginner-friendly recipe that requires minimal tools and gadgets. Below, you see a detailed explanation of the ingredients, instructions, and how to prepare the drink. We’ll also explain the choice of tools and techniques we use and how they impact the final shot (See more 👇)
☕ About the Recipe:
Raf Coffee is a creamy, dessert-like espresso-based drink with a rich, velvety texture and a hint of sweetness. Originally created in Russia and named after Rafael, a café visitor who inspired the drink, Raf combines espresso with steamed half-and-half, brown sugar, and vanilla sugar, resulting in a smooth, slightly caramelized flavor with a delicate vanilla aroma.
For this recipe, we used the Loveramics Urban Twisted Glass (180 ml), which fits directly under the portafilter, allowing us to extract espresso straight into it before combining it with the sweetened, steamed half-and-half.
A Level 1 preparation is perfect for anyone who just got their Breville/Sage Barista Express and wants to learn the basics. It’s also a great guide to share with someone who’s still struggling to get their technique right. We all have that one friend who always gets it wrong, so you know exactly the person to share this video with.
☕ Ingredients:
Coffee beans: 17–18 grams (freshly roasted)
Half-and-half: 200 ml
Brown sugar: 3 teaspoons
Vanilla sugar: 1 teaspoon
⚙️ Tools:
Breville/Sage Barista Express espresso machine (built-in grinder included)
Tamper (included with machine)
Portafilter
Funnel
Loveramics Urban Twisted Glass (180 ml)
Milk pitcher (350 ml / 12 oz)
👇 Instructions (Play the video and follow along in real-time):
1️⃣ Prepare the Espresso
Grind 17–18 grams of coffee on a fine setting (around 5–6). Level the coffee grounds by gently tapping the portafilter horizontally with your hand. Tamp evenly with firm pressure. Lock the portafilter into the group head. Press the double shot button and extract 35–40 grams of espresso directly into the glass.
2️⃣ Prepare the Sweetened Half-and-Half
Pour 200 ml of half-and-half into the milk pitcher. Add 3 teaspoons of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla sugar, stirring gently to dissolve.
3️⃣ Combine & Steam
Pour the espresso from the glass into the milk pitcher with the sweetened half-and-half. Submerge the steam wand and heat the mixture to 60–65°C (140–150°F), creating a smooth, creamy texture with minimal foam. Be careful not to overheat, as dairy can scorch quickly.
4️⃣ Serve & Enjoy
Pour the steamed Raf mixture back into the glass. Your Raf Coffee is now ready to enjoy!
5️⃣ Clean Up
Knock out used coffee grounds. Rinse the portafilter and wipe the group head clean. Wipe and purge the steam wand to remove milk residue.
👉 Did you try this recipe? Let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear your feedback, answer your questions, or hear your tips for customizing this recipe.
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