Caffè Shakerato

The Caffè Shakerato is a classic Italian summer beverage, consisting of freshly brewed espresso, sugar, and ice, all shaken together until frothy. The vigorous shaking chills the coffee instantly while creating a rich, creamy foam on top, similar to the crema on a perfect espresso. It's a refreshing and sophisticated way to enjoy coffee during warm weather. The drink offers a pure, intense coffee flavor without the dilution from milk or cream.
Caffè Shakerato

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Caffè Shakerato is categorized as an iced coffee drink. Unlike many modern iced coffees, it contains no milk, placing it in a category of pure, chilled coffee preparations. It's often treated like a non-alcoholic cocktail due to its preparation method and presentation.

Serving

Served cold in a chilled Martini or Coupe glass, this is a small, elegant drink. It is typically non-alcoholic, focusing on the pure flavor of chilled espresso.
Serving size
Approximately 90-120 ml / 3-4 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV (can be made alcoholic)
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Martini or Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Originating in Italy, the Caffè Shakerato became a popular way to enjoy a cold coffee before the proliferation of more complex iced coffee drinks. Its beauty lies in its simplicity, showcasing the quality of the espresso. It's a staple in Italian bars ("caffès") during the summer months, often enjoyed as a midday pick-me-up or a light after-dinner drink.
Origin
Italy, with its popularity rising in the mid-to-late 20th century as espresso machine technology became widespread in Italian cafés.

Caffè Shakerato

"Caffè Shakerato" is the original Italian name, which directly translates to "shaken coffee." In English-speaking countries, it is often referred to by the descriptive name "Shaken Iced Coffee." Both names accurately reflect the simple yet elegant preparation method of this classic Italian beverage.
Original name
Caffè Shakerato
Alternative names
  • Shaken Iced Coffee
  • Italian Shaken Coffee

Characteristics overview

The drink boasts a powerful aroma of fresh espresso and a bittersweet flavor profile. Its most defining characteristic is the velvety, frothy texture created by shaking, resulting in a refreshing and light mouthfeel perfect for summer.
Flavor
Rich coffee, bittersweet, clean
Aroma
Intense coffee, roasted notes
Taste balance
Balanced, bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, lingering coffee
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Dark brown liquid with a thick, light-tan foam
Texture
Smooth, frothy, light, velvety
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is dominated by the bitterness of the coffee, balanced by a customizable level of sweetness. The creaminess comes solely from the foam, with no alcohol or carbonation present in the classic version.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You only need three basic ingredients: a fresh double shot of hot espresso, simple syrup for sweetness, and plenty of ice cubes for shaking.
  • Espresso60 ml / 2 oz (double shot)
    Must be freshly brewed and hot for the best foam.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Adjust to taste. Granulated sugar can also be used, added directly to the hot espresso to dissolve.
  • Ice Cubes6-8 cubes
    For shaking and chilling.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

An espresso machine is needed to brew the coffee base. A cocktail shaker and strainer are essential for the chilling and frothing process.
  • Espresso machine for brewing coffee
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling
  • Strainer for pouring

Instructions

The process is straightforward: brew hot espresso, add it and syrup to an ice-filled shaker, and shake hard until chilled and foamy. Strain into a chilled glass and serve immediately.
1. Chill your serving glass (Martini or Coupe) in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Brew a fresh double shot of hot espresso.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker three-quarters full with ice cubes.
4. Immediately pour the hot espresso and the simple syrup over the ice in the shaker.
5. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold.
6. Using a strainer, pour the contents into your chilled glass. The foam will settle on top.
7. Garnish by floating three coffee beans on the surface of the foam.

Garnishing

A traditional and simple garnish is three coffee beans, which are floated on the foam. They are said to represent health, wealth, and happiness.
  • Three coffee beans, floated on top of the foam.

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally vegan and free from dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, and nuts, but it is not caffeine-free. A decaffeinated version can be made upon request.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a low-calorie beverage, with most of its calories coming from the sugar in the simple syrup. The carbohydrate and sugar content can be reduced by using less syrup or a sugar substitute.
Calories
Averagely 30-50 kcal / 125-209 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-12 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect as a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up on a warm day. Its elegant presentation also makes it a suitable non-alcoholic option for social gatherings, brunch, or as a sophisticated after-dinner beverage.
  • Afternoon pick-me-up
  • Summer refresher
  • After-dinner drink
  • Brunch

Pairing suggestions

The Caffè Shakerato pairs beautifully with classic Italian cookies like biscotti or amaretti. Its strong coffee flavor also complements the richness of dark chocolate or the simple buttery notes of shortbread.
  • Biscotti
  • Amaretti cookies
  • Shortbread
  • A piece of dark chocolate

Caffè Shakerato: The Essence of Italian Summer Coffee

The Caffè Shakerato is the epitome of Italian coffee culture's elegance and simplicity. It transforms a basic shot of espresso into a refreshing, frothy, and chilled beverage perfect for a hot day. Requiring only espresso, sugar, and ice, its magic comes from the vigorous shaking which creates a velvety foam without any dairy. Served in a cocktail glass, it feels like a sophisticated treat, offering a pure and intense coffee experience that is both invigorating and delicious.