Finnish Food Girl

I was inspired to write about the Caffe Shakerato recipe after reading that it was today’s featured drink in the New York Times.  The Caffe Shakerato is a wonderfully splendid drink.  I experienced my first Shakerato when I was studying Opera in Italy in 2006. It was so hot that summer, the humidity drenched your shirts and frizzed your hair to the max.  The Caffe Shakerato proved to be the only espresso beverage that was drinkable on the hottest of days.  In the small town of Sesto Fiorentino there was a little corner cafe, where they made the best Shakeratos.  I would have never known what a Shakerato was until I was introduced to it while asking for a “milkshake” type drink on one of those sweltering days.  In reality, I was looking for a smoothie or a frosty beverage of sorts but didn’t know how to speak Italian or ask for what I wanted!  The waiter asked if I wanted espresso in it, to which I replied a resounding “SI”! Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when the waiter brought me my first shakerato- and that was the first of many that summer.

The Caffe Shakerato is a chilled Espresso drink which is usually served in a tall martini glass drizzled with chocolate syrup.  The Caffe Shakerato can be made a variety of ways, and can be served with or without alcohol. It can be topped with whipped cream or chips of chocolate as well.  For those without an espresso machine, you can also use well chilled regular coffee, although it would have a little bit of a different taste.

Here is a photo of the delicious Caffe Shakeratos I enjoyed in Italy, along with the sweets served as well 🙂

I also really enjoyed this recipe for the Shakerato which includes Vanilla Gelato.  I am going to try making this next!

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