What is a shaken espresso?

A shaken espresso is a chilled coffee beverage made by shaking espresso shots with ice and usually a sweetener in a cocktail shaker. The shaking process chills the espresso rapidly, creates a frothy texture, and slightly dilutes the coffee.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects:

  • Preparation: This involves pulling one or more shots of hot espresso and immediately combining it in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Ingredients: The basic ingredients are espresso, ice, and an optional sweetener like simple syrup, sugar, or flavored syrups. Some variations include adding a splash of milk or cream after shaking.
  • Shaking: Shaking the ingredients vigorously is crucial. This creates a desirable frothy%20texture and chills the beverage quickly.
  • Serving: The shaken espresso is typically strained into a glass, often a coupe or martini glass, to remove the ice. Sometimes, the ice is included, depending on preference.
  • Taste: A shaken espresso offers a bolder coffee flavor compared to iced coffee. The shaking process also aerates the espresso, contributing to a smoother, slightly sweeter taste.
  • Variations: Many variations exist, incorporating different syrups, liqueurs, or toppings like chocolate shavings or cinnamon.