Caffè Leccese (Iced Coffee with Almond Milk)
Why this recipe works
- Fast to make: Fresh espresso, ice and almond drink come together in minutes, with only a short cooling step needed.
- Controlled sweetness: Dissolving the sugar in hot espresso gives an even sweetness before the drink is chilled and diluted over ice.
- Clean, refreshing finish: Cooling the espresso before pouring it over ice helps preserve its strength while the almond drink softens the bitterness.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Puglian café style: Caffè Leccese is associated with Puglia, where espresso is served cold over ice with almond sweetness.
- Almond sweetness: Sweetened almond drink gives a gentle, nutty character; the drink should taste lightly sweet rather than heavy or dessert-like.
Timing notes
- Cool before icing: Let the sweetened espresso cool briefly before adding it to the glass so the ice chills it rather than immediately watering it down.
- Serve straight away: Once the drink is assembled with ice and almond drink, it is best served immediately while cold and clean-tasting.
Ingredient swaps
- Alternative sweetness: Maple syrup can replace caster sugar for a softer, more rounded sweetness, though it will slightly change the classic flavour.
- Using unsweetened almond drink: Unsweetened almond drink can be used, but the espresso will need a little extra sweetness to keep the drink balanced.
Make-ahead tips
- Chill the espresso ahead: The sweetened espresso can be chilled in a sealed container, then poured over fresh ice and almond drink just before serving.
- Keep ice separate: Do not store the fully assembled drink with ice, as it will dilute and lose its clean coffee flavour.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Brew the espresso, then stir in the caster sugar while it is still hot so it dissolves completely. Pour into a small heatproof jug and leave to cool for 5 minutes.
- Fill a glass with the ice cubes. Pour over the cooled espresso, then add the sweetened almond drink and stir gently to combine.
- Taste and stir again to make sure the drink is evenly mixed. Serve straight away, cold.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the cleanest flavour, cool the espresso before it hits the ice so it stays bold rather than watery.
- If you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, use pasteurised sweetened almond drink and keep the drink chilled; do not leave it at room temperature for long.
Substitutions
- Replace caster sugar with maple syrup for a softer, caramel-like sweetness.
- Replace sweetened almond drink with unsweetened-almond-drink and add an extra 1 tsp caster sugar to keep it traditionally sweet.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 1 days
- Best served immediately. If needed, chill the sweetened espresso (without ice) in a sealed container for up to 24 hours, then pour over fresh ice and add the sweetened almond drink just before serving.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 1 glasses
- Total time: 10min (5min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Italian
-
Allergens:
Almonds
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