From Shakerato to Granita: How Italians Enjoy Coffee All Summer Long
When most people think of coffee, they picture a steaming hot cup on a cold morning.
Italians? Not so much.
In Italy, coffee isn’t reserved for winter. It’s a year-round ritual. Whether it’s a quick espresso standing at the bar, a refreshing granita on a scorching Sicilian afternoon, or an affogato enjoyed after dinner with friends, coffee finds its place in every season.
And while many Italians happily continue drinking hot espresso in the middle of August (yes, really), summer also brings some of the most refreshing and delicious coffee traditions you’ll find anywhere in the world.
So before you reach for another iced latte, let’s take a little tour of Italy’s favourite ways to enjoy coffee when the temperatures rise.
The Italian Secret: Coffee Is a Ritual, Not Just a Drink
One thing visitors quickly notice in Italy is that coffee isn’t something people carry around all day in oversized cups.
Coffee is a moment.
It’s the espresso at the bar before work. The quick stop with friends after lunch. The excuse to pause during a busy day. The little ritual that punctuates life.
And in the summer, those moments simply evolve.
Some are shaken. Some are frozen. Some are turned into dessert. Some even include a little alcohol.
But they all start with one thing: a great coffee.
The Shakerato: Italy’s Answer to Iced Coffee
If there’s one coffee drink that screams Italian summer, it’s the Shakerato.
Made by shaking freshly brewed espresso with ice until perfectly chilled and frothy, the Shakerato is elegant, refreshing and surprisingly simple. The result is smooth, lightly sweet and topped with a beautiful foam that feels almost cocktail-like.
Walk into a café in Milan, Rome or Florence on a hot afternoon and there’s a good chance you’ll see one being served.
It’s proof that sometimes the simplest recipes are the best.
Coffee Granita: Sicily’s Most Refreshing Tradition
In Sicily, summer and granita go hand in hand.
This semi-frozen treat is somewhere between a slush, a sorbet and a dessert. Made with coffee, sugar and patience, coffee granita delivers all the flavour of espresso in an incredibly refreshing form.
Traditionally, Sicilians often enjoy it for breakfast alongside a soft brioche bun. Yes, breakfast.
And honestly? They might be onto something.
When temperatures climb and the sun is blazing, few things are more satisfying than a spoonful of icy coffee granita.
Affogato: The Simplest Dessert in Italy
Some desserts require hours of preparation.
An affogato requires about thirty seconds.
Its name literally means “drowned” in Italian, referring to a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream that is drowned in a shot of hot espresso.
The hot coffee melts the ice cream just enough to create a rich, creamy and utterly irresistible dessert.
It’s elegant. It’s effortless. And it might just be the perfect summer dessert.
Coffee Panna Cotta: A Creamy Italian Classic
Few desserts are as Italian as panna cotta.
Smooth, silky and delicate, panna cotta becomes even more irresistible when infused with rich coffee flavour.
It’s the kind of dessert that feels fancy enough for entertaining but simple enough to make ahead for a weekend barbecue or family dinner.
Serve it chilled on a warm summer evening and watch it disappear.
Coffee Semifreddo: The Dessert Between Ice Cream and Mousse
The name semifreddo literally means “half cold.”
Part mousse, part frozen dessert and entirely delicious, semifreddo has a light, airy texture that sets it apart from traditional ice cream.
Coffee is a natural match for this Italian classic, bringing richness and depth without feeling heavy.
It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for summer entertaining and one of Italy’s best-kept secrets outside the country.
Espresso Martini: Not Traditionally Italian… But Italians Approve
Let’s clear something up.
The Espresso Martini isn’t Italian.
It was actually invented in London in the 1980s.
But when a cocktail combines espresso and good company, Italians are usually happy to welcome it to the party.
Rich, smooth and slightly indulgent, the Espresso Martini has become a modern classic for coffee lovers everywhere.
Think of it as coffee’s favourite evening outfit.
And Yes, Many Italians Still Drink Hot Coffee in Summer
Here’s the part that surprises most people.
Despite all these refreshing alternatives, many Italians continue drinking hot espresso all summer long.
The logic is simple: espresso is small, quick and intensely satisfying. It’s not a giant mug of coffee that follows you around for hours. It’s a moment.
A pause.
A ritual.
And whether it’s served steaming hot, shaken over ice, frozen into granita or poured over gelato, coffee remains one of the great pleasures of Italian life.
This summer, try something new. Explore a few Italian coffee traditions. Invite some friends over. Make dessert. Shake up a Shakerato. Blend a granita. Pour an affogato.
Because coffee season never really ends.
It just gets a little cooler. Un piccolo caffè!
The recipes are just the beginning. Behind every great espresso is a rich coffee culture shaped by generations of Italian tradition. Discover the rituals, customs and tips that make every cup a little more special.
Read 5 things to know to order and enjoy caffè like an Italian.
