Caffè Shakerato is the Italian way to enjoy iced coffee: a shot of hot espresso sweetened and shaken with ice until icy cold, then served in a chilled cocktail glass. It’s elegant, intensely flavored and refreshingly light—perfect for warm afternoons, and surprisingly simple to prepare at home.
In Italy, you’ll commonly find caffè shakerato at neighborhood bars and cafés during summer. The drink highlights good espresso: when brewed hot and combined with sugar, then shaken with ice, it develops a silky, foamy crema that gives the cold coffee a luxurious mouthfeel.
The traditional method is straightforward: pull a double espresso, stir in sugar while the espresso is hot so it dissolves completely, add ice to a shaker, pour in the sweetened espresso, and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. The result is a chilled espresso with a frothy top, strained into a chilled glass for a clean, crisp presentation.
Caffè shakerato is wonderfully versatile. Use a martini glass or any stemmed cocktail glass for an authentic look and to keep the drink cold longer. Adjust sweetness to taste, use different types of sugar or a simple syrup, and experiment with espresso blends to find the balance you like best.
How to sweeten your coffee
The easiest and most authentic approach is to add sugar to the hot espresso and stir until it dissolves. When sugar melts into hot espresso, it integrates smoothly and helps produce a better froth when shaken with ice.
Golden caster sugar or demerara add a subtle caramel note, but plain white sugar works perfectly well too. If you prefer liquid sweeteners, simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, warmed until dissolved and cooled) is convenient and dissolves instantly when mixed into the espresso.
Taste as you go: cold coffee tends to taste a bit less intense than hot, so you may prefer to sweeten slightly more than you would for a hot espresso. Start with about two teaspoons of sugar for a double shot and adjust based on preference.
Top tips for making the perfect Caffè Shakerato
- Use espresso with crema: A good crema contributes to the foamy, velvety top when you shake the espresso. If your machine produces crema, you’ll get the classic texture and appearance.
- Add espresso while still hot: Pour the freshly brewed espresso into the shaker immediately so the sugar dissolves fully and the temperature difference with the ice creates a rich foam.
- Sweeten slightly more: Cold temperatures mute flavor. Start with two teaspoons of sugar for a double espresso and adjust to taste—this typically gives a balanced, pleasant sweetness.
More Italian coffee recipes to try
Italian Desserts
Ricotta al Caffè
Drinks
Espresso Martini
Italian Desserts
Italian Affogato Recipe – Ice Cream And Coffee
Italian Desserts
Granita al Caffè con Panna (Coffee Granita)
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Caffè Shakerato (Italian Iced Coffee)
By Emily
5 mins
5 mins
1 serving
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Coffee machine or espresso maker
Ingredients
- 1 double espresso or strong coffee (60 ml / 1/4 cup)
- 2 teaspoons demerara sugar (or white sugar), or to taste
- Ice
Instructions
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Brew a double espresso using your coffee machine. While the espresso is hot, stir in the sugar until it dissolves. This helps the sweetness blend evenly and supports a good foam when shaken.
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Fill a cocktail shaker about two-thirds full with ice, then pour in the sweetened espresso.
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Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for roughly 30 seconds, as you would for a cocktail. Strain into a chilled serving glass and enjoy immediately while the drink is cold and frothy.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness to taste; omit sugar for a less sweet, more intensely bitter profile.
- White, golden or demerara sugar all work; simple syrup is an easy liquid alternative.
- For a different twist, try adding a tiny splash of liqueur (optional) or a few drops of vanilla extract before shaking.
Helpful Info for All Recipes
- I generally use extra virgin olive oil in savory recipes unless otherwise noted.
- When using canned or jarred tomatoes I choose well-known quality brands for consistent flavor.
- All vegetables are medium sized unless otherwise stated.
- Recipes are typically tested using a fan (convection) oven where relevant.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 8 g |
Fat: 0.03 g |
Sugar: 8 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be treated as an estimate.
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