Shaken coffee: the original recipe to try

Shaken coffee is a drink with a recent history: it dates back to the 1980s and 1990s and, like espresso, took shape in the Italian gastronomic context.

The online portal Il Cucchiaio d'Argento, one of Italy's most renowned and historic recipe books, defines it as an “Italian-style cold coffee”. Offered by most baristas, it is easy to prepare at home: all you need is the right equipment and a little manual skill.

It is a very popular drink in summer, thanks to its refreshing qualities that allow you to enjoy that special ritual that is coffee.

Today, we will tell you more about caffè shakerato, starting with the original recipe and focusing on other popular variations: caffè shakerato with Baileys and caffè shakerato with cream.

Ingredients and equipment

In the original recipe for shaken coffee, one tool reigns supreme: the cocktail shaker, one of the most commonly used tools by bartenders for mixing ingredients.

The basic ingredients to use in the original recipe are as follows; the quantities are for a single drink:

● about 8 ice cubes;
● about 10 ml of liquid sugar;
● coffee, to be prepared in such a way as to obtain a double espresso.

It is essential to choose a good quality blend and, from this point of view, Arabica coffee is ideal. It is distinguished by its fragrant, sweet, fruity, slightly acidic aroma with a sweet and spicy note.

A clarification. The quantities of ice and sugar are indicative, as they can be adapted to your preferences. Consider them a good starting point for experimentation.

Procedure

Let's see how to prepare shaken coffee, using the basic recipe. Here are the steps:
1. Make sure you have all the necessary ingredients.
2. Prepare a double espresso.
3. Place the glass or cup that will hold the shaken coffee in the freezer to make it extra cold.
4. Put the ice cubes in the shaker.
5. Add the liquid sugar.
6. Finally, add the coffee to prevent the ice from melting too quickly. Otherwise, you will end up with less foam.
7. Remove the glass/cup from the freezer.
8. Close the shaker and shake it vigorously for at least 15 seconds, or until foam forms.
9. Strain the coffee into your glass/cup, avoiding any residual ice.

Now all you have to do is enjoy your shaken coffee!

Coffee shaken version with Baileys

For this version, it is interesting to know the difference between Arabica and Robusta. The Robusta variety has a more intense and decisive flavour that goes very well with Irish liqueur.

The preparation of shaken coffee with Baileys is very similar to the previous one: just add 50 ml of liqueur after the coffee, until the container is about three-quarters full. This is a more full-bodied and stronger version, perfect as an after-dinner drink, especially during convivial moments.

Version without a shaker
Can you prepare shaken coffee without a shaker? The answer is yes. You can use an airtight glass jar instead, vigorously mixing the other ingredients until you get foam.

What to pair with a shaken coffee

One of the classic combinations, besides Baileys, is known as shaken coffee with cream, considered a real dessert.

Shaken coffee also goes well with lemon, which adds an extra touch of freshness, as well as with two ingredients that add sweetness: chocolate and vanilla.

Finally, shaken coffee is a recipe that lends itself as a base for a variety of preparations: from coffee granita to a drink made with red fruits and hibiscus - known as Cascara - and many others, making it the subject of constant experimentation by bartenders.