La Bella Sorella

Italian food, travel & lifestyle

  • Home
  • About
  • Italian Specialty Dishes
  • Italian Travel Memories
  • La Dolce Vita
  • Notable Italian Restaurants
  • Contact

Caffe Leccese – Iced Coffee with Almond Milk from Lecce

August 21, 2017 By pblevitt 6 Comments

Caffe Leccese | labellasorella.comProducer visits are essential part of importing Italian wine; only then are you able to truly understand the varietal in context. This May we were pampered by both of our Puglian producers: vineyard expeditions, lunches, dinners and private tours. Our stay in Lecce, or the Florence of the South was certainly one of the highlights of our trip.

Being a fan of the traditional Lecesse cream filled pastry Pasticcioto (not to worry the recipe is coming soon), this was high on my list of food musts. Our friend Giovanni, export manager for our producer Produttori Vini Manduria knew just the place.  Set right in the center of Baroque Lecce, I was dubious as the quality since the Centro Storico or historic center of any Italian city generally attracts many tourists. Giovanni promptly ordered two pasticiotto accompanied by an iced short coffee drink called Caffe Leccese.  Both the Pasticcioti and Caffe Leccese were extraordinary and we returned to the cafe, more times than I would care to admit.

Memories from Lecce, Pasticciotti and Caffe Leccese | labellasorella.com

Icy cold espresso with a splash of almond milk – so simple yet absolutely divine, and such a welcome treat in the heat of those Puglian summer days.

Preparing the almond milk ice cubes | labellasorella.com

Naturally, freshly made almond milk is the obvious first choice, but who has time to do that.  Your favorite commercially prepared almond milk is just fine – just select a brand that is unsweetened and unflavored.

Ready for the freezer | labellasorella.com

This refreshing iced drink couldn’t be more straightforward, espresso, ice and almond milk.  An alternative to a splash of almond milk is to prepare almond milk ice cubes.  Adding a few of these to a chilled glass followed by a double shot of espresso prevents diluting the coffee flavor of your Caffe Leccese.

Chilled tumblers and almond milk ice cubes ready for the hot espresso | labellasorella.comThe espresso is ready | labellasorella.com

Either way, Caffe Leccesse is an absolute delight on a hot summer’s day – you don’t have to be in Puglia to enjoy it.  Grazie Giovanni, for sharing the history and traditions of Salento…alla prossima.

Caffe Leccese | labellasorella.com

 

 

Caffe Leccese - Iced Coffee with Almond Milk from Lecce
 
Print
Prep time
2 mins
Total time
2 mins
 
A refreshing coffee drink from the city of Lecce, Puglia
Author: Paula Barbarito-Levitt
Serves: 2 Caffe Leccese
Ingredients
  • Almond milk ice cubes, prepared with unflavored unweeetened almond milk
  • Double shot of freshly made espresso
  • 2 chilled tumbler glasses
  • Unsweetened, unflavored almond milk
  • Sugar or simple syrup if desired
Instructions
  1. Prepare the almond milk ice cubes by simply pouring almond milk into ice cube forms and have them available in your freezer.
  2. Place a few of the ice cubes into the chilled glasses. Pour the espresso over the ice and add a bit or sugar or simple syrup if desired. Pour a tablespoon or two of additional almond milk lightly stir and enjoy
3.5.3226

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Related

Filed Under: Beverages with an Italian Twist, On the Road in Italy

« Bucatini with Zucchini, Lemon & Pecorino – Bucatini con Zucchine, Limone e Pecorino
White Peach & Arugula Salad – Insalata di Pesca Bianca e Rucola »

Comments

  1. Ciao Chow Linda says

    August 23, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    I still haven’t tried almond milk, but I can only imagine how good it must taste with this drink. I await your pasticiotto recipe. They look wonderful.

    Reply
    • pblevitt says

      August 23, 2017 at 1:24 pm

      Thank you Linda, I am refining the recipe. Give Caffe Leccese a try during the next hot spell, I am certain that you will enjoy it.

      Reply
  2. Janie says

    August 24, 2017 at 6:47 am

    I have had Lecce on my list forever and hope that we can go on our next trip to Italy. This drink looks so refreshing. I love that you come home and recreate the best of your travels. I would be thrilled to have your Lecce recommendations before we do go.

    Reply
  3. pblevitt says

    August 25, 2017 at 11:16 am

    Lecce is an absolute must for you and I am delighted to provide you with a list of recommended spots there and in the surrounding area. Until then, try the Caffe Leccese at home!

    Reply
  4. Frank says

    August 26, 2017 at 5:06 am

    I’m going to have to try this. I do enjoy almond milk very much, but it never occurred to me to add it to espresso. Now that you’ve pointed it out, it’s an appealing idea!

    Reply
    • pblevitt says

      August 27, 2017 at 12:44 pm

      Honestly Frank, I had never heard of this until early May. Naturally, I knew that almond milk drinks were popular in the south, my mom and her brother often enjoyed a variety of these while chatting on the lungomare. Caffe Leccese is quite delightful – but I did miss the pastaccioto.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

Welcome to La Bella Sorella!

After years of teaching regional Italian cooking classes, planning Italian adventures, and sharing my travel tips about Italy, starting a blog about Italian food, travels and lifestyle was a just natural next step. Learn More…

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Subscribe to my Blog via Email

Recent Posts

  • Easter Bread – Pane di Pasqua March 19, 2018
  • Morel Risotto – Risotto alle Spugnole March 5, 2018
  • Coeur de la Creme – Cuore della Crema February 5, 2018
  • Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake – Ciambella all’Arancia January 15, 2018
  • Chocolate Panforte December 4, 2017
  • Holiday Dolce Italian Style November 27, 2017

Archives

  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014

Categories

  • Appetizers, Antipasti & Wonderful Things to Nibble On
  • Basic Techniques
  • Beverages with an Italian Twist
  • Breads & Pizza
  • Comforting Soups, Pasta Dishes & Risottos
  • December Holidays
  • Desserts to Dream Of
  • Egg Dishes for Every Occasion
  • Living La Dolce Vita in California
  • Main Course Dishes or Secondi
  • None
  • Notable Italian Restaurants
  • On the Road in Italy
  • Passover
  • Rosh Hashanah
  • Salads for Every Season
  • Side Dishes or Contorini
  • Thanksgiving
  • Wine & Aperitivo Time

Blogroll

  • Parla Food
  • La Tavola Marche
  • Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino
  • Panini Girl
  • smitten kitchen
  • Due Spaghetti
  • Italy on My Mind
  • Ciao Chow Linda
  • Brooklyn Salt
  • Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome
  • Memorie di Angelina
  • Juls' Kitchen
  • Silvia's Cucina
  • Emiko Davies
  • Domenica Cooks
  • Marisa’s Italian Kitchen

Connect

After years of teaching regional Italian cooking classes, planning Italian adventures, and sharing my travel tips about Italy, starting a blog about Italian food, travels and lifestyle was a just natural next step. Learn More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Popular Posts

Copyright © 2018 Paula Barbarito-Levitt