[2] While the precise origin of coffee milk is unclear, several sources trace it back to the 19th century Italian immigrant population in Providence, Rhode Island.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, approximately 55,000 Italian immigrants traveled to Providence,[3] introducing their traditions and customs to Rhode Island; this included drinking sweetened coffee with milk, which is believed to have led to the creation of coffee milk.

[5] Due to the popularity of the product, coffee syrup was eventually bottled and sold by merchants.

The product was first documented in the 1926 Ice Cream Trade Journal published by Thomas D. Cutler.

The syrup was advertised as “Our New Creation Arabian Brand Coffee Syrup for Ice Cream Topping, Milk Shakes, Iced Coffee, Etc.” D. Abelsen & Son set up production at their factory at 556 North Main Street in Providence, RI.

In 1963, Eclipse Foods and Coffee Time were purchased by Globe Extracts of Hauppage, New York.