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Sage brown butter coffee in a white ceramic cup topped with crisped sage leaf and golden butter crema on a dark slate surface

Sage Brown Butter Coffee with Toasted Notes

A nutty, herbal espresso drink made with sage-steeped brown butter, blended smooth and ready in under 10 minutes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Coffee Drink
Cuisine: Modern American
Calories: 145

Ingredients
  

Brown Butter Base
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter (14 g); cut into small pieces for even browning
  • 3 fresh sage leaves to 4 medium leaves; patted dry
  • 1 fine sea salt small pinch; optional
Coffee
  • 60 ml double espresso shot (2 oz); or strong moka pot coffee
  • 120 ml whole milk or oat milk (1/2 cup); optional, for a latte-style version
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup optional, to taste

Method
 

Brown the Sage Butter
  1. Place the butter in a small stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Let it melt, then continue cooking, swirling the pan every 20 to 30 seconds, until the foam subsides and the milk solids on the bottom of the pan turn golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. It should smell like toasted hazelnuts.
  2. Add the sage leaves to the pan. They will crackle and crisp up in 60 to 90 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon as soon as the edges look lightly crisped - do not leave them in longer or they turn bitter.
  3. Pour the brown butter into a small heatproof cup and let it cool for 2 minutes. Set the crisped sage leaves aside for garnish if you like.
Brew and Blend
  1. Brew a double shot of espresso, about 60 ml. If using a moka pot, brew on medium-low heat and aim for a concentrated, dark pull.
  2. Add the espresso, browned sage butter, and honey or maple syrup (if using) to a blender. If you're adding milk, add it now. Blend on high for 20 to 25 seconds until the mixture looks frothy and the butter is fully emulsified - no visible oil slick on the surface.
  3. Pour immediately into a prewarmed cup. Top with one crisped sage leaf and a small pinch of flaky salt if you like. Serve right away.

Notes

  • Brown the butter over medium, not high heat - it goes from golden to burned in under 30 seconds at high.
  • Remove sage leaves as soon as they crisp up; leaving them in longer makes the butter bitter.
  • Use a double espresso shot (60 ml) minimum - a weaker base gets overwhelmed by the butter.
  • Blend on high for 20 seconds minimum to emulsify the butter into a frothy texture.
  • Serve immediately; the emulsion starts to separate after about 20 minutes.