The Shakerato

It makes sense that the Italians would invent a most exquisite coffee drink for the summer. It’s a shaken-over-ice, slightly sweetened espresso called the shakerato, served in a stemmed glass, prepared in bars all over the county.

Take 1 shot of fruity espresso and pour immediately into a cocktail shaker with 5 to 6 ice cubes. Add 4 teaspoons simple syrup and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a glass. Serve immediately.

The shaking process yields a thick crema that floats on the espresso.

There isn’t much to the shakerato: a shot of espresso poured over ice cubes and simple syrup, then shaken. But when those three elements are rattled around in a cocktail shaker for what seems like an eternity (it actually clocks in at 15 seconds), they undergo an alchemical transformation: the dense espresso, now frothy, sweet and flecked with ice, is as refreshing as it is flavorful.

It’s a delicate drink that deserves to be savored, especially in hot weather!

“Cento Di Questi Giorni”