I love the way coffee is served in Italy. If you want milk (latte) with your coffee (Americano as it’s known), it comes steamed or whipped in a big carafe. Heaven, as far as I’m concerned. And if you want to make it a little boozy you have a few choices, one of which is the espresso martini.
Another? This Italian amaretto coffee which is the perfect drink for lingering with guests around the table or around a crackling fire.
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The allure of amaretto
Rich in color and taste, amaretto is a romantic liqueur. But there is a touch of bitterness which makes it pair beautifully with lemon (don’t miss my classic Italian amaretto sour – I learned to make it from a bartender while in Italy).
Amaretto is a cordial. Served after dinner, Italians sip it neat (straight, no ice). Pairing it with espresso or coffee essentially combines the post-meal espresso or cappuccino and the cordial into one beverage.
I have no trouble with this…less cups and glasses to wash, right?
Another great coffee dessert…this creamy affogato recipe. Such a showstopper!
What’s different about this amaretto coffee recipe?
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- Whipping non-dairy creamer. It is a technique I use every day when I drink my coffee. I use the whipping attachment in my Aeroccino but you can use any milk frother that you like.
- Demerara sugar. On the rim, sprinkled on the frothed milk for color/texture and at the finish. It lines the bottom of the glass because the last sweet drink at the bottom of a cup of coffee is the best.
More ingredient highlights
The ingredient list for this Italian coffee with amaretto is fairly straightforward. Here are the highlights:
Amaretto coffee step-by-step
If you love amaretto desserts…
I’ve got a few you’ll want to bookmark for later. This loaf pan almond cookie ice cream cake (filled with cookie butter) is so pretty when cut and perfect for a smaller group! And this amaretto semifreddo sounds super fancy but is made with only 3 ingredients and can be made days ahead.
Creamer alternatives
If you can’t find the brown sugar creamer, you can use any flavor you like that would pair well with amaretto. Some suggestions:
- Silk makes an Oatmeal Cookie Oat Milk Creamer that is delicious, would complement the almond flavored amaretto and froths beautifully.
- Froth milk with 1-2 T of coffee syrup (I used 2% milk shown above). This brown sugar cinnamon one would be so good!
Make ahead? While the milk frothing can be done ahead in an Aeroccino or similar frother, it really isn’t worth it as the froth will break down.
How to rim a glass with sugar
An optional but very festive step is to serve the Italian coffee with a sugar rim. Here’s how to do it:
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Creamy Brown Sugar Amaretto Coffee
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Ingredients
- demerara sugar, for the top and bottom vwg
- 7 oz brewed, dark roast coffee or 1 (.75 oz) shot of espresso with hot water added, Italian beans like Lavazza or Illy are my favs
- 1 ½ oz amaretto, I use DiSaronno Amaretto
- 2 Tablespoons simple syrup, see below
For the topping
- ½ cup brown sugar oat milk creamer, from Trader Joe's
If have to make your own flavored creamer
- ½ cup 2% milk
- 2 Tablespoons flavored coffee syrup, brown sugar cinnamon, vanilla or your choice
Instructions
- Brew coffee using your favorite method.7 oz brewed, dark roast coffee or 1 (.75 oz) shot of espresso with hot water added
To whip the creamer
- Use a frother to whip the creamer until thick and frothy, but still pourable. You can also whip it to be thicker if that is your preference.½ cup brown sugar oat milk creamer
If making homemade flavored creamer
- Add flavored syrup to bottom of the frothing container or a glass measuring cup.Pour in milk and froth until the desired thickness is achieved.2 Tablespoons flavored coffee syrup, 1/2 cup 2% milk
To craft the beverage
- Sprinkle a little demerara sugar in the bottom of the glass.demerara sugar
- Add in simple syrup followed by amaretto.2 Tablespoons simple syrup, 1 ½ oz amaretto
- Pour the hot coffee into the center of a sugar-rimmed glass (see below) taking care not to splash the sides or rim.7 oz brewed, dark roast coffee or 1 (.75 oz) shot of espresso with hot water added
- Carefully pour/spoon the whipped creamer over top of the coffee. Sprinkle with more sugar on top. And serve.
Rim the glass
- Pour some some demerara sugar in a flat, wide plate or bowl. Pour some water or simple syrup into a second flat dish with a rim or shallow bowl that is wide enough to fit the rim of the glass.Place the glass rim down into the bowl/dish of water and immediately, add to the sugar bowl to rim the glass.
