Is Coffee An Aphrodisiac?

Coffee has long been celebrated for its ability to wake us up, sharpen our focus, and lift our mood. But could it be doing even more than that? Could your morning brew be quietly doubling as an aphrodisiac?

Let’s rewind for a second.

What Exactly Is an Aphrodisiac?

An aphrodisiac is anything that’s believed to boost sexual desire, arousal, or pleasure—be it a food, drink, scent, or even a vibe. The word itself traces back to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, which feels about right. Cultures around the world have chased the thrill of natural aphrodisiacs for centuries—chocolate, oysters, cinnamon, ginseng, even jasmine-scented oils.

Some of these work their magic via chemistry. Others rely more on suggestion and setting. Either way, it’s a mix of science and myth, biology and belief.

Examples of substances often considered aphrodisiacs include foods (chocolate, oysters), herbs and spice (like ginseng, cinnamon), plant extracts (horny goat weed), scents (musk, jasmine) and pharmaceuticals (Viagra, Cialis).

So… where does coffee fit in?

Can Coffee Stoke the Flames?

While coffee might not top the list of classic aphrodisiacs, its stimulating effects are very real. Caffeine boosts alertness, improves mood, and gets your blood flowing—literally. And in the right context, that extra energy and elevated state of mind? It might just turn up the volume on desire.

Let’s dig into what the science says—and what your senses already know.

So, is Coffee an Aphrodisiac? 

As we mentioned above, an aphrodisiac is a substance that's believed to increase sexual desire or arousal when consumed. While coffee can have certain stimulating effects due to its caffeine content, which can increase alertness and energy levels, it doesn't directly enhance sexual desire or arousal in the same way that substances like oysters, chocolate, or certain herbs are believed to.

That said, coffee can make several claims to being a powerful ally in the bedroom.

1. Female desire. Coffee has been associated with enhanced memory and lowered cancer risk, yet research has also indicated a potential increase in the risk of heart disease. In a 2005 study, researchers administered a moderate dose of caffeine to 108 female rats before a mating test to evaluate its impact on female behavior. The findings revealed that the administration of caffeine reduced the time it took for the females to return to the males after mating, indicating a potential effect on mating behavior.
2. Male performance. A University of Texas study revealed that men consuming two cups of a caffeinated beverage daily were 42% less likely to experience erectile dysfunction compared to non-consumers. In a research article published in the American science journal PLOS ONE, scientists examined 4,000 men who consumed caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, soda, and sports drinks. Remarkably, this protective effect against erectile dysfunction remained consistent across various factors like weight, age, and blood pressure. 
3. Athletic performance. Whether for physical or mental performance, caffeine offers advantages to both competitive athletes and individuals seeking a modest boost in their workouts. A study revealed that caffeine reduced 5K running times by 11 seconds for well-trained runners and 12 seconds for recreational runners. Research indicates that the optimal performance-enhancing dosage falls within the range of 1.4 to 2.7 milligrams per pound of body weight, although some studies suggest that even lower doses can yield benefits.
4. Stress reduction. Some studies have highlighted several favorable outcomes of caffeine, such as its potential in averting depression. However, this particular study marks the pioneering effort in elucidating the neurochemical pathways through which caffeine shields the brain from certain adverse effects of stress. Caffeine's ability to block receptors in the brain responsible for the neurotransmitter adenosine is well-documented. In this study, researchers discovered that these receptors also govern the detrimental impacts of chronic stress, and by obstructing these receptors, stress-induced behaviors can be reversed.

How Can We Harness All This Magic?

Inspired, in part, by one of the listings from our ‘30 Incredible Health Benefits of Coffee’ and a recipe we found online called ‘Sex Coffee’ (yes, it’s a real thing). We thought we’d take on the challenge and try to create something that tastes delicious. For coffee lovers - and lovers in general.

Every day can jump-start with amazing coffee but some days call for something, erm, extra special. We’re publishing this ‘Aphrodisiac Coffee’ recipe on Valentine’s Day because it seems fitting but below is your whenever-the-mood-takes-you recipe for turning up the heat in the bedroom for everyone.

Ingredients for Aphrodisiac Coffee:

• Science has heralded the pomegranate as something of a superfood when it comes to libido. In fact, this study from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, where participants drank a glass of pomegranate juice a day, resulted in ‘significantly increased’ levels of testosterone which increases sexual desire in both sexes.
• Nuts and seeds have long been known to increase libido because of their high content of B vitamins, and tahini (made from sesame seeds) has a ton of them. It is also high in magnesium and selenium, both of which can boost sex drive.
• For the dairy-free latte option here, walnut milk is a great medium for coffee and walnuts are the second helping in this recipe of thiamin (also see tahini) but they also contain arganine (which has a strong effect for the men reading this) and selenium, all of which are great for both sexes’ libido.
• Nutmeg has had some interesting findings in terms of its ability to increase sexual desire.  Some of it is anecdotal but some more scientifically backed. Both nutmeg and cinnamon (below) are also ‘warming herbs that increase blood flow in the abdominal and pelvic regions’
• Cinnamon and coffee is a great combo and there’s some evidence that it boosts libido too.
• Coffee, of course!  And preferably coffee beans for a roaster who has been awarded at a major coffee competition. 

Aphrodisiac Coffee Recipe:

1. Grind coffee beans from your favorite monthly coffee subscription service (that’s us!) and for each 2 x tablespoons of coffee you use in your coffee maker of choice add 1 quarter teaspoon of both ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Make coffee as you would usually (espresso shot, french press, pour-over, coffee maker etc).
2. If you’re making the latte option then start warming either your standard dairy milk or dairy-free milk (see our suggestion of walnut milk above) to your desired temperature.
3. Pour coffee (and milk) into cup and add 1 x tablespoon of tahini and stir to combine.
4. Add pomegranate molasses to taste. We recommend 1 x big dollop on a teaspoon.
5. Add additional milk if you ‘left room’.
6. Enjoy. And then enjoy ;-)

Medical disclaimer:

Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. Contact your physician if you experience any symptoms of weakness, unsteadiness, light-headedness or dizziness, chest pain or pressure, nausea, or shortness of breath.