Shakerato

A shakerato is a chilled Italian coffee beverage made by combining freshly brewed espresso, ice, and sugar or simple syrup. Unlike an iced latte, a traditional shakerato does not contain milk, allowing the coffee flavors to remain bold.

The ingredients are vigorously shaken in a cocktail shaker until the mixture becomes thoroughly chilled. This shaking process emulsifies the coffee, creating a dense, persistent foam on top before it is usually strained into a martini glass.

The thick, creamy foam is created purely by the physical agitation of shaking the hot espresso and ice together in a sealed cocktail shaker. The natural oils and acids in the espresso expand when aerated, holding the foam together without any dairy.

Because it is served ice cold and highly refreshing, the shakerato is incredibly popular during the hot summer months. Italians usually order it as an afternoon pick-me-up, bypassing the traditional post-dinner hot espresso.