Moroccan · Drink
Nous-Nous (Moroccan Half-and-Half Coffee)
Nous-nous — literally half-half — is Morocco's signature cafe coffee: equal parts strong espresso and hot steamed milk, served in a small glass and sipped slowly over a morning newspaper. Milder than a straight espresso and less milky than a latte, it is the drink Moroccans order by name, sometimes perfumed at home with a pinch of the traditional coffee spice blend.
- Prep
- 3 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 8 min
- Serves
- 1
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 1 shot strong espresso (about 60 ml)
- 60 ml whole milk
- Sugar, to taste
- Tiny pinch of ground moroccan coffee spice (nutmeg, sesame, black pepper — optional)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, to dust (optional)
- A few drops of orange-blossom water (optional)
- 2 soft dates, to serve alongside
Method
- 1
Pull the espresso
Brew a strong short espresso, or make a small pot of very strong coffee — about 60 ml of concentrated coffee.
- 2
Steam the milk
Heat the milk until hot and slightly frothy, either with a steam wand or by whisking it in a small pan just below the boil.
- 3
Combine half and half
Pour equal amounts of coffee and hot milk into a clear glass so you can see the two layers meet.
- 4
Season and serve
Add sugar to taste and, if you like, the faintest pinch of coffee spice, then serve immediately while hot.
Chef's tips
- Use a clear glass, not a mug — seeing the equal split is part of the ritual and how it is served in cafes.
- The coffee should be strong; weak coffee disappears once the milk goes in.
- Keep any spice to a whisper — nous-nous is about balance, not a spiced latte.
Frequently asked questions
What does nous-nous mean?
It means half-half in Moroccan Arabic, referring to the equal split of coffee and milk. Ordering nous-nous in any Moroccan cafe gets you exactly this glass.
How is it different from a latte or cortado?
A latte is mostly milk and a cortado is a small espresso with a little milk. Nous-nous is a deliberate 50/50 of coffee and hot milk, usually served in a glass.