You know that feeling when a drink transports you straight to a sunny terrace in Italy? The Caffè Leccese does exactly that. This ice cold coffee from Lecce, a picturesque city in the heel of the Italian boot, is a summer classic you can easily recreate at home.
What makes the Caffè Leccese special is the use of almond milk: not the plant based version you buy in the supermarket, but a sweet, creamy almond milk syrup (latte di mandorla) as the people of Puglia have used it for generations. The result is a refreshing, lightly nutty iced coffee you will not soon forget.
What do you need?
Ingredients (for 1 glass):
- 2 shots of espresso (around 60 ml)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons of almond milk syrup (or to taste)
- A generous handful of ice cubes
- Optional: a pinch of cinnamon or flaked almonds as a garnish
Equipment:
- Espresso machine or moka pot
- A large, tall glass
- Spoon or stirrer
Step by step recipe
- Brew the espresso. Prepare 2 shots of espresso with your machine or moka pot. You want a powerful, concentrated coffee, because a Caffè Leccese is all about that firm coffee flavour cutting through the sweetness of the almond milk.
- Let it cool briefly. Set the espresso aside for a few minutes so it does not melt the ice straight away. You do not need to make it ice cold. Lukewarm is fine.
- Fill the glass with ice. Put a generous handful of ice cubes in your glass. The more ice, the longer the drink stays cold, and the better it looks.
- Add the almond milk syrup. Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of almond milk syrup over the ice. Would you like it less sweet? Start with 2 tablespoons and taste from there.
- Pour in the espresso. Pour the cooled espresso slowly over the ice. You will see beautiful coffee layers form that gradually mix with the almond milk.
- Stir and enjoy. Stir gently and sip straight away. For the prettiest layers you can also serve it unmixed and stir only as you drink.
Pro tip
Use espresso of the highest possible quality. The Caffè Leccese has few ingredients, so every component counts. An espresso that is too sour or too bitter shows immediately. Choose beans with a full, chocolatey profile for the best result. That gives the perfect balance with the sweet almond milk.
For an even more authentic flavour: look in an Italian delicatessen or online for genuine latte di mandorla syrup from Puglia. The difference with ordinary almond milk is considerable.
Ready to start?
Use our Espresso Beans from Good Mood Coffee as the base for your Caffè Leccese. They are selected for flavour balance and give exactly the rich coffee taste this drink deserves. Order them through our shop and bring the summer of Lecce into your kitchen.