How to Make Caffè Leccese – The Authentic Puglian Iced Coffee

Caffè Leccese is a refreshing Italian coffee drink from Salento, Puglia, made with strong espresso and sweet almond syrup.

A perfect way to cool down on hot summer days, it’s one of those small rituals that immediately taste of Southern Italy.

how to make caffe leccese

CAFFÈ LECCESE IS MORE THAN A COFFEE

In Salento, ordering a Caffè Leccese means receiving two separate elements.

A freshly brewed espresso.

And a glass already filled with almond syrup and ice.

The final gesture is yours.

You pour the hot coffee over the ice, watching it cool instantly while blending with the sweet almond syrup and releasing its delicate nutty aromas.

Simple.

Elegant.

Unmistakably Salentino.

Lecce, Puglia

MAKING CAFFÈ LECCESE AT HOME

Making Caffè Leccese at home is surprisingly simple.

All you need is:

  • a Moka pot (or an espresso machine);
  • good-quality coffee;
  • almond syrup (latte di mandorla);
  • ice cubes.

The preparation takes only a few minutes.

The atmosphere takes a little longer.

Puglia caffè
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Caffe Leccese Recipe

Caffè Leccese from Puglia

Course Drinks
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1 serving
Author Claudia Rinaldi

Ingredients

  • 1 espresso coffee consider about 5 grams for each serving
  • 2-3 tablespoons almond milk syrup - even four tablespoons!
  • 2-3 ice cubes

Instructions

Brew the Espresso

  1. Fill the Moka pot base with room-temperature water, up to the valve level.

  2. Insert the filter, fill it with ground coffee, and distribute it evenly (tap lightly, but don’t press!). If you want precise measures: one gram of coffee per each ten grams of water.

  3. Assemble the Moka pot and place it on medium heat with the lid open.

  4. Wait for the rich espresso to gush out from the spout.

Prepare the Glass

  1. Fill a glass with the almond milk syrup and add the ice cubes.

Combine & Serve

  1. When, by eye and not letting it bubble, all the coffee is out, stir it with a teaspoon and pour it in the glass.

  2. Mix gently, allowing the coffee to cool and blend with the sweet almond flavors

Sip slowly.

Savor every sip.

And if you’d like to wander a little further, let Lecce’s Simposio (one of my Italian travel cookbooks) transport you through recipes, stories, hidden corners, flowers, and rituals from the land of sun, wind, and sea.

Claudia