In the punishing heat of an Italian summer, a shot of scalding espresso thrown back at the bar, though a beloved ritual, can leave you feeling a bit sweaty. But if you’ve adapted to the Italian habit of two or three (or more) caffè per day, you know that the solution isn’t as simple as quitting for the summer.
Even though it’s rare to find an iced latte or cold brew in Italy, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options for a refreshing coffee drink. If you want to be able to sip and savour your caffè this summer season, you can try ordering an Italian recipe of cold coffee (caffè freddo).
Caffè crema
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Instead of a normal coffee, on particularly hot days, you’ll find people ordering a crema al caffè – especially after lunch or as a mid-afternoon refresher.
You might hear it called a crema al caffè or caffè crema, but either way, it's a staple at Italian bars in the summer. Keep an eye out for the light brown drink being churned in a slushie or frozen-drink machine behind the counter.
Light and airy, this sweet coffee drink is made from coffee, panna (cream) and sugar. The concoction is whipped together, creating a mousse-like texture, which is served chilled.
If you make it at home, you can jazz it up with a bit of panna montata (whipped cream) and a dusting of cocoa powder.
At the bar, caffè crema is usually served in a small cup similar in size to an espresso cup, making it a quick little treat to be eaten with a sugar spoon.
Caffè macchiato freddo
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The caffè macchiato is a typical order al bar, known and loved for its convenience. Espresso with a dollop of milk, the macchiato is perfect for when you don’t have time for a cappuccino but want to take the edge off a caffè normale.
While it’s standard to serve a caffè macchiato hot, it can also be made cold. For a cold macchiato, the splash of milk added to the espresso should be cold. The mix of hot coffee and cold milk means the drink isn’t truly freddo but more like room temperature.
You can ask for a cup of ice (ghiaccio) and pour your macchiato over it to make it colder. For those of us trained in the rules of Italian eating and drinking, asking for a cup of ice sounds like a sacrilege, but it’s actually common, even among Italians.
Caffè leccese
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This cold coffee drink hails from Puglia, which explains both its name and its star ingredient: almonds. Almonds are a staple crop of southern Italy, where the nut has been cultivated since ancient times.
Called caffè leccese or caffè alla salentina, the drink is made with espresso, ice and almond milk or syrup.
Usually, the barista will give you a hot caffè normale and a separate glass with the ice and the almond milk, and you do the honours of pouring the coffee over the ice. The result is a beautiful ombré of chestnut brown in your glass.
Caffè shakerato
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A shakerato is a straight-forward yet sophisticated iced coffee made from espresso, ice cubes and simple syrup (sciroppo di zucchero or zucchero liquido).
The three ingredients are mixed together in a cocktail shaker and poured into a martini glass, leaving a dark elixir with a caramel-coloured foam on top.
Garnish it with three espresso beans, and you’ve basically got a virgin espresso martini.
Espresso tonic
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Another great non-alcoholic (analcolico) cocktail is the espresso tonic, which is as simple as it sounds – a mixture of espresso and tonic water, usually served on the rocks.
Some people like to add different flavours to their espresso tonic, such as grapefruit syrup or a bit of cinnamon. You can also sweeten it to taste with simple syrup. Common garnishes for the drink are diverse, ranging from a lemon or orange peel to a sprig of rosemary.
Affogato
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And when you want to truly treat yourself, order an affogato. A small scoop of ice cream with a hot shot of espresso poured over it, an affogato is a perfect mix of caffeine and sugar that makes for a delicious dessert and a foolproof pick-me-up.
For this one, you’ll need to go to a gelateria or a cafe or a bar that specializes in both gelato and coffee.
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