Italian Coffee
/

Italian Coffee
Cocktail recipe

Rating

3.86 / 5
The Italian Coffee cocktail is a warm and indulgent drink that embodies the robust flavors of Italy. This delightful concoction is traditionally served in an Irish glass and combines the sweet, almond notes of amaretto with the rich, bold taste of freshly brewed coffee. Topped with a velvety layer of cream, this cocktail is perfect for sipping on a chilly evening or as a luxurious after-dinner treat. Its smooth and creamy texture, balanced with the deep coffee base, makes the Italian Coffee a comforting and sophisticated beverage choice. Though it carries the essence of Italian flavors, its moderate alcohol content allows the subtle interplay of its components to shine without overpowering the senses.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amaretto
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
230 calories
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cocktail cherry
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.79% | 1.68 units *
Details
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hot

Irish glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Serves:
-
+

Method
How to make a Italian Coffee

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Place amaretto into a cup and add hot coffee
Top off with whipped cream
Garnish with a cherry and serve

Power tips
Elevate the Italian Coffee with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Subscribe to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Garnish  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

Preparation techniques icon

How do you properly combine the ingredients for an Italian Coffee?

For an Italian Coffee, start by brewing the coffee—preferably a strong espresso or a rich, dark roast. Pour 180ml of the hot coffee into an Irish glass. Add 60ml of Amaretto to the coffee and gently stir to combine. Carefully top the drink with cream, allowing it to float on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon. This method ensures the layers remain distinct for both flavor and presentation.

Serving suggestions icon

What is the best way to serve an Italian Coffee for the most authentic experience?

An Italian Coffee should be served hot in an Irish glass to maintain its temperature and to allow the beauty of the layered drink to be visible. Serving it immediately after preparation ensures the cream stays on top and the coffee remains hot. Optionally, you can garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or nutmeg on top of the cream for an added touch of authenticity and flavor.

Ingredient specifics icon

Can I use any type of coffee for an Italian Coffee, or is a specific kind recommended?

While technically any coffee can be used to make an Italian Coffee, the quality and flavor of the coffee greatly affect the overall taste of the drink. A high-quality, strong espresso or a robust dark roast is recommended to balance the sweetness of the Amaretto. The goal is to achieve a harmonious blend of flavors, so choosing a coffee with depth and richness will produce the best outcome.

Alcohol content comparison icon

How does the alcohol content of an Italian Coffee compare to other coffee-based cocktails?

With an alcohol content of 5.79%, Italian Coffee is relatively moderate in comparison to other coffee-based cocktails. For example, an Irish Coffee, which typically includes whiskey, can have a higher alcohol content depending on the amount of whiskey used. The Italian Coffee's main alcoholic ingredient is Amaretto, a liqueur known for its sweet flavor and lower alcohol content compared to hard spirits, making it a milder choice among coffee cocktails.

Dietary considerations icon

Is there a dairy-free option for topping an Italian Coffee?

Yes, to make a dairy-free Italian Coffee, simply replace the traditional cream with a non-dairy alternative. Coconut cream or a rich almond cream are excellent choices that complement the nutty flavor of the Amaretto while providing a similar creamy texture and richness to the drink. Ensure the non-dairy cream is well chilled for the best chance of it floating on top of the coffee.

HUGE BLACK FRIDAY SALE

50% off all subscriptions for a year

Upgrade to premium for just £5/month £2.5/month and get access to the most powerful cocktail system around.

  • Masterclass top tips Access thousands of top bartender tips to elevate the cocktails to greatness
  • Powerful A.I. search Use our most powerful A.I. search, with upgraded answers and access to auto generated FAQ's on the search. Go Wizard level
  • Cocktail creator plus: Access to all our themes and styles, and the ability to pick and choose ingredients to include.
  • Photo your bar Take a photo of your bar and we'll instantly fill your online bar, telling you what you can make
  • Access all our menu creator themes Access to all our menu creator themes, and remove all branding on the menus.
  • Ignore kitchen cupboard staples: No need to add every single kitchen item, we'll just assume you have the core basics
  • Personal My Bar image: All the ingredients you have added to your bar in a beautiful detailed bar graphic
  • And much much more

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image