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Espresso Corretto : the authentic, Italian version of alcohol coffee

16/08/2018
by coffees.gr

If you are looking for a tonic and digestive beverage that marries the intensity and deep taste of espresso with a touch of your favorite alcoholic beverage, then you are sure to love espresso corretto !

Espresso Coretto, the "corrected" coffee (that's what its name means in Italian) is just an espresso in which alcohol has been added - that is the "correction" that implies its name. In Italy, espresso coretto is a popular choice for closing lunch or dinner, as it combines the digestive properties of espresso with a small dose of alcohol, but the Italians tend to enjoy it at other times of the day, such as early in the afternoon or late at night. Consisting of a small and intense dose of coffee, such as espresso, with an equally low dose of alcohol, the espresso corretto is indicative of the way Italians perceive coffee: a small dose of pleasure with a strong taste, consumed quickly and repeated many times during the day.

Although espresso coretto is purely Italian and reflects important aspects of Italian coffee culture, similar beverages exist in other countries as well, such as Café com Cheirinho in Portugal, the Scandinavian Karsk and the Spanish Carajillo, each with its small peculiarities and differences and based on the country's favorite local beverages.

 

What to you need for an Espresso Coretto ;

  • A single epresso shot
  • An alcohol drink of yoru choice

 

Which alcoholic drinks are suitable for espresso coretto ;

The beverage that the Italians usually enjoy in their espresso corretto is Grappa, the traditional Italian liqueur, and sometimes Sambuca. If you are not fond of the special flavor of Italian spirits, you can combine your espresso with other drinks, such as brandy or cognac. In general, choose drinks that their taste does not overshadow coffee’s taste or - why not - beverages with a taste that contrasts with that of espresso, such as Italian spirits. Avoid liqueurs with a strong coffee flavor, or very sweet drinks, as our coffee will end up too sweet and heavy, losing its digestive properties. If you are fortunate enough to enjoy your coffee in an Italian coffee shop, do not forget to say that you want your correto "alla ..." by filling in the name of the drink, because if you ask for it as espresso corretto, it will probably be served with Grappa .

 

What's the perfect coffee  / alcohol ratio for an Espresso coretto ;

The correct ratio is usually 2: 1. For an espresso of 30ml, the expected dose of alcohol is usually 15ml. Of course, the exact ratio depends on both our personal taste and how strong the alcohol we use is. Besides, even in Italy, there are three ways of serving espresso corretto: either the coffee is already "corrected", containing alcohol, or the barista serves an espresso and next to it, in a shot glass, the drink so that the customer can enjoy it his correto with the rhythms and the proportion he desires, or, finally, the barista serving the espresso gives the customer the whole bottle so that the drink can be added at will. A local habit of the Italian North, adds more alcohol to the cup when the coffee is finished, in order to dissolve the espresso cream residue from the cups walls.

 

How is espresso corretto served?

Some people claim that it is necessary to add sugar to espresso corretto, as the added alcohol tends to emphasize the bitter tones of the coffee flavor, though in Italy, espresso corretto is often enjoyed without sugar. Whether and how much sugar we add will require experimentation to bring the flavor to our personal taste. What is certain is that in the espresso corretto does not go well with garnishes like milk, whipped cream, chocolate, etc. Its spirit follows the austerity that characterizes Italian cuisine and any other addition distorts it and makes it lose its unique its characteristics. However, if we prepare an espresso coretto after a dinner with friends, we can prepare as many espresso as our guests and serve the bottle on the table so that each one can "correct" his coffee as he wishes.

 

Whether it's a cold winter afternoon or a cool summer night, it's sure that Espresso Corretto closes in two of the most favorite treats, coffee and alcohol, and can awake our senses for good with just two sips!