Espresso + a spirit of your choice: that’s what the espresso corretto is about. It’s a very popular coffee twist all over Italy, read on to know more!
A few words about the “espresso corretto”
The “espresso corretto” or “caffè corretto” mixes coffee and spirits: you’ll find it delightful! Moreover, if you pick the appropriate spirit it can really enhance your digestive process! That’s why “caffè corretto” is a must at Christmas, where endless dinner and lunches puts our stomach to the test.
If you are worried about the alcohol intake, you can always pick an alcohol-free spirit, you can find more and more of these in the market and they are really close to the alcoholic version!
About which spirits goes with coffee, just like everything in Italy, it depends on the region you are in. Find out what we mean in the next paragraph!
Which spirit should I pick for my “caffè corretto”?
First of all remember that it doesn’t matter how you prepare your coffee. Spirits will pair well with it no matter if it’s coffee from the moka or from the coffee machine at a café. Here’s a list of spirits you can use:
- Brandy, especially appreciated in Calabria, together with liquorice liquor
- Rum and a orange twist
- Aniseed liqueur, very appreciated in the Marche region
- Grappa, greatly appreciated in the Northen regions of Italy. Pick a grappa with a citrussy profile
- Dry whisky, if you like a strong taste
- Irish Cream if you’d like a whisky-like taste but with a sweeter note
- Sweet liqueurs in general like chocolate or coffee liqueurs
- Citrussy liqueurs (do you remember how lemon pairs good with coffee?)
- Herbal spirits such as Sambuca
As you see, you have many options. You can get creative and “correct” your espresso with the spirit you like the most!
Tips for the perfect “espresso corretto”
Just combining the spirit and the coffee won’t be enough to get the perfect “caffè corretto”. Here’s a few tips:
- In a regular espresso cup, do not exceed 4/5ml of spirit
- If you add spirit, you cannot add sugar in the coffee! If you want a little bit of sweetness, just pick a sweet liqueur
- Remember: a great portion of the taste is in the smell! Don’t forget to enjoy the aroma with your nose before sipping it!
