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5 Rich, Dark Midnight Coffee Recipes For An Out Of This World Moon Day Celebration

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5 Rich, Dark Midnight Coffee Recipes For An Out Of This World Moon Day Celebration

12 min read JUN 16, 2025

More than fifty years ago, the United States achieved a global, or rather a universal feat, travelling into the limitless, vast, near abyss of space with the intent of landing on the moon.

And, as they succeeded in this, now historically epic, mission, the words Neil Armstrong then uttered into that abyss have since stretched through both space and time, echoing: “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

For those of us who only know of this event as a piece of history, days like International Moon Day help us, at least, attempt to recall what this time for our nation and the world must’ve been like.

This is why National Moon Day is celebrated across the world, allowing people to share memories of moon landings, both the first and all subsequent missions, providing opportunities for children and adults alike to learn about the moon, space travel, and the deep, dark, vast beyond, a region we appropriately term as space.

As you can imagine, being a coffee company and all, when we think of the deeply dark, midnight sky stretching into space, our minds can’t help but be reminded of a rich, robust, bold, and deeply dark cup of one of the boldest, blackest coffees we offer - our Midnight Roast!

Staring into the blinding darkness of space, thinking of the potential unlocked by our nation’s 1969 mission…

Staring into the rich darkness of a mug or glass full of Midnight Coffee, thinking of life’s potential unlocked by this healthy brew…

Hey, we all have our preferred ways of celebrating, right?

So, that’s what we’d like to do today…celebrate!

In honor of International Moon Day, we’re sharing a variety of recipes using our Midnight Roast Coffee, our boldest, darkest roast of coffee, showcasing some of the most robust flavors the world’s favorite brew has to offer.

But, before we get started, here’s a few fun java-themed facts pertinent to Apollo 11’s historic moon-landing mission in honor of this international celebration:

Did you know the Apollo 11 space mission marked the first time astronauts could have hot coffee in space?
To enjoy this undeniable comfort of home, the Apollo 11 astronauts were provided with freeze dried coffee with cream and sugar on this moon mission. When ready to enjoy a cup, they reconstituted this mixture by adding hot or cold water using a water probe.
Astronaut Michael Collins, the man responsible for orbiting the moon while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the lunar surface, enjoyed hot coffee while performing this task.

Orbiting 60 miles above Armstrong and Aldrin alone in the command module, Collins has stated that many commonly ask him if this part of the mission was lonely for him, to which he has routinely replied, “It was perfectly enjoyable, I had hot coffee, I had music if I wanted it…I was not one iota lonely…it was 40-something minutes of peace and quiet.”

I think we can all relate to Michael Collins here, for while I think it’s safe to say none of us have had the privilege of orbiting the moon in a command module while enjoying our favorite brew, those daily moments of peace and quiet with a cup of bold, dark coffee truly are out of this world!

5 Stellar Moon Day Midnight Coffee Recipes

A clear glass cup filled with black coffee sits on a glass saucer atop a wooden table, with scattered coffee beans nearby. In the background, a full moon glows brightly through a window, casting a serene nighttime ambiance.

Before we share some incredibly tasty recipes, first let’s do a little midnight exploration.

What is Midnight Coffee?

All coffee is made by roasting green coffee beans at high temperatures for a specified amount of time.

The lower roasting temperatures and lesser times yield a bright and acidic light roast, truly boasting the flavors of the region where the beans were grown.

Then, you have a classic medium roast, a bean that’s roasted a little longer at temperatures slightly higher than used for a light roast.

This selection is typically smooth, a little less bright than a light roast, and while the temps bring a slight caramelization, you’ll still get a little hint of the flavor profile of the growing region.

As you might have guessed, a dark roasted coffee endures an even hotter roasting temp for a longer time. Here, those growing region flavors are traded for a rich caramelization brought out under the intense roasting heat.

And, that’s where the magic begins with our Midnight Roast!

Even hotter temperatures and even longer roasting times bring about the boldest, most robust, and deeply dark flavors in our single origin, low acid, organic, rainforest mountain grown, Arabica coffee beans.

Some, rightfully, liken our Midnight Roast to a French roast coffee, a brew known for its rich and sometimes smoky flavors.

It’s nearly as dark and rich as espresso, but these two brews indeed have their differences, with espresso commonly described as concentrated and bold, while our Midnight Roast would best be described as having a deeper, even heavier profile, making it the perfect ingredient to stand up against a few additions to make some stellar midnight brews!

Of course, most wouldn’t typically enjoy a bold brew at midnight, so you’ll likely be sipping this darkness under the bright light of day, but that’s okay, you’ll still be able to tip your hat to our moon theme today as the flavors you’re about to experience are entirely stellar!

1- Cold Brew Me Up, Scotty

Yes, I know. The above nod is to Star Trek, not the moon landing.

But, while American astronauts may not have travelled at warp speed throughout all of space, this cold brew made with our Midnight Roast Coffee is completely out of this world!

I’m somewhat of a cold brew fanatic, and this recipe truly takes the notion of cold brew to new heights, infusing the flavors of dark brown sugar and bold, spicy cinnamon right into the depths of this phenomenal coffee.

Note: For cold brew, you’ll need to start with coarsely ground coffee. Pre-ground coffee is typically ground to a medium grind, so for this recipe you’ll need to start with whole beans, grinding them with a coffee grinder to a coarse grind.

Ingredients

⅔ cup coarsely ground Lifeboost Midnight Roast Coffee
3 cups filtered water
3-5 tablespoons dark brown sugar (depending on how sweet you want your brew)
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Ice

Instructions

In a quart jar, add water, coarsely ground coffee, dark brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir gently, then cover, and refrigerate overnight.
After refrigeration, pour the coffee base through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl, then strain back into the jar for easy storage.
When you’re ready to sip, add ice to a tall glass, then pour in a desired amount of Midnight brown sugar cinnamon cold brew.
Top with a few tablespoons of heavy cream (or milk or half and half), stir gently, and enjoy!

2- A Little Ray Of Pitch Black

Our Midnight Roast Coffee is deeply dark, rich, and nearly black. So then, what could make this brew even darker? Chocolate, of course!

The addition of rich, sweet chocolate to this already dark brew brings a pleasant touch, a seeming ray of light (moonlight, perhaps), that while not visible, will certainly illuminate your taste buds!

Ingredients

3 ounces very strongly brewed Lifeboost Midnight Roast Coffee
6 ounces cold milk
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
Ice
Whipped cream, for topping
Shaved dark chocolate, for topping

Instructions

Brew coffee, then stir in chocolate syrup while the coffee is still hot.
Allow the coffee and chocolate mixture to cool slightly.
Fill a tall glass with ice, then top with the chocolate coffee mixture.
Add milk to the mixture and stir well.
Top with whipped cream and shaved dark chocolate and enjoy!

3- Collins’s Caramel Cup

In honor of astronaut Michael Collins, who orbited nearly 60 miles above Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on their moon landing mission in the command module, slowly sipping his hot coffee and enjoying a little peace and quiet in the dark, vast, abyss of space, we’re sharing a hot cup of Midnight Roast, a brew for you, Mr. Collins!

This piping hot cup won’t need to be reconstituted like Collin’s space-approved sipper, and since we’re not orbiting the lunar surface, we can get a little more creative, but we promise it will be just as stellar.

The homemade caramel sauce is exceptional, and using heavy cream as a foam topper for this brew truly takes this cup to the next level.

Rich caramel, a bold brew, and a silky smooth and creamy topping, what could be better?

Ingredients

6 ounces freshly brewed Lifeboost Midnight Roast Coffee
3 ounces heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons caramel sauce, divided (see below for homemade recipe)

Instructions

Add 1 teaspoon of caramel sauce to a large mug, then top with freshly brewed Midnight Roast Coffee, stirring to combine.
Add heavy cream and the remaining teaspoon of caramel sauce to an electric frother and froth on the heated setting. This won’t ‘whip’ the heavy cream, but it should produce a slightly thickened, warm, sweet, velvety layer through which you can sip your brew.
Pour the heated, frothed heavy cream on top of your brew, and enjoy!

Homemade Caramel Sauce

1 cup granulated sugar (I use organic cane sugar here.)
¼ cup water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 very small pinch of salt

Add sugar and water to a heavy pot (approximately 3-quart size), stirring gently until combined prior to placing overheat.

Warm over medium heat, cooking until the sugar dissolves, then turns from cloudy to clear, and starts to bubble.

Once the mixture starts to bubble, do not stir, but simply allow the mixture to cook, keeping the heat at medium. *If the sugar forms clumps around the perimeter of the pot, you can use a spatula to brush the sides occasionally to prevent crystallization.

Continue cooking until the mixture turns a deep, golden color (resembling honey), which can take anywhere between 8-15 minutes. *Keep a close eye on the mixture to avoid burning.

Carefully add the butter and whisk until melted. (It’s normal for the mixture to rapidly bubble when adding the butter, just keep whisking.)

Remove from heat, then slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking continuously until all of the cream is incorporated.

Whisk in vanilla and salt.

Set aside to cool in the pot for 10 minutes.

Pour into a glass jar with a lid to cool completely.

*The caramel will have more of a liquid consistency at first, but it will thicken significantly as it sets.

Once cooled, store caramel in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

When ready to use, you can allow it to come to room temperature, or (recommended) warm a small amount for easy use.

4- Shot In The Dark

When it comes to beverages, shots are generally reserved for espresso and alcohol, so this shot in the dark will have to be the exception to the rule.

Made with coffee that’s just a step up from an espresso with similar bold flavors, but also containing the perfect amount of rum and Kahlua, I’d advise a refusal to share on this one.

I mean, why share your own when this one’s easy enough for guests to make on their own, right?

Whether you’re entertaining guests to commemorate International Moon Day with a crowd or simply sipping on your back porch on a summer’s evening staring at the stars, this cocktail’s sure to please!

Note: For an extra strong coffee flavor, when making the cold brew for this recipe, feel free to use concentrated cold brew (skip dilution).

Ingredients

2 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Midnight Roast Coffee
½ ounce Kahlua
½ ounce spiced rum
2 ounces Cola
Ice
Splash of heavy cream

Instructions

Add ice to a tall glass, then top with cold brew, Kahlua, rum, and cola. Stir very gently to combine.
Top with a splash of heavy cream (the moon in an otherwise dark, midnight sky), and enjoy!

5- A Cup Of Space Brew For You

When enjoying coffee in space, the brew had to be contained due to the lack of gravity, otherwise Armstrong and crew would’ve had to gulp hot (or cold) droplets of coffee that floated throughout the shuttle in midair.

It’s just a shame they didn’t have other alternatives, you know, something that would allow them to experience the bold, rich flavors of coffee in a firm form…all the flavor without the float…now that’s a space brew!

And, that’s what you’ll be whipping up here, a brew fit for space travel!

I’ve made coffee chia pudding several times, and that seemingly gelatinous coffee treat is truly incredible, but here, with the use of gelatin, this type of treat is enhanced, making a true coffee gelatin, full of robust flavor and subtle sweetness, topped with a homemade whipped cream.

Basically, it’s your new go-to summertime coffee treat you can enjoy with a spoon instead of a straw - how cool is that?!

Plus, you’ll reap the added bonus of a collagen boost from the gelatin. Yum!

Note: This is best made using a pour over or a French press to brew the coffee. The instructions below will use a pour over, but you can use a French press if you’d like. (If using a French press, be sure to grind your coffee to a coarse grind to avoid bitterness.)

Ingredients (serves 8-10)

6 tablespoons ground Lifeboost Midnight Roast Coffee
2 ¼ cups boiling water, divided
1 tablespoon cold water
½ cup organic cane sugar
1 ½ teaspoons unflavored gelatin
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ packed brown sugar
1 cup chilled heavy cream

Instructions

Add ground coffee to a filter in a pour over maker. Slowly, intermittently, pour 2 cups of boiling water over the grounds to prepare the pour over coffee.
While the coffee is being made, combine sugar and ¼ cup boiling water in a small boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
Combine 1 tablespoon cold water and unflavored gelatin, allowing these ingredients to simply rest to soften for roughly 1 minute.
Stir together prepared coffee, sugar syrup, and vanilla in a bowl. Then, add gelatin mixture and stir until dissolved.
Chill, covered, until the coffee gelatin is softly set (roughly 8 hours).
Add brown sugar and heavy cream to a chilled bowl and beat with a mixer until soft peaks form.
Divide coffee gelee between approximately ten small cups, roughly 2-4 ounces each.
Top each cup with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and enjoy!

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Midnight Roast .

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.

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