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Happy International Coffee Day, a day dedicated to the promotion and celebration of that magic varnish remover that gives you the jolt you so badly need in the morning.

Whether you like it black, au lait, iced, or like several members of the Euronews Culture team, are partial to a café bombón (a shot of coffee with condensed milk at the bottom), coffee takes centre stage on most days. That said, the International Coffee Organization wishes to not only champion Go Juice but to promote fair trade coffee.

This year, it’s all about “embracing collaboration for collective action,” as the organisation highlights the often unseen collaboration that brings us our favourite cup: “In 2025, a challenging year around the globe, we reaffirm our commitment to walk side by side, in favour of the common good. Every act of knowledge sharing, every joint effort, and every mutual support initiative paves the way towards a resilient, inclusive and thriving coffee sector. That's why our central theme to celebrate the International Coffee Day this year is to embrace collaboration more than ever."

Time for us here at Euronews Culture to share our cultural guide to drinking coffee. So, while you’re enjoying your very own Frapper’s Delight, consider the following music, films, series, books, snacks and facts that can potentialise your cup.

Best song to listen to with your coffee: Otis Redding – 'Cigarettes and Coffee'

An oldie but a goodie. Plus, everything is a good excuse to listen to the soul legend. Released in 1966, this beautifully simple but effective song about a man and a woman chatting over late-night coffee and cancer sticks is tailormade for enjoying your jitter juice – at whatever time of day.

“It’s early in the morning / About a quarter til three / I’m sitting here talking with my baby / Over cigarettes a