Shaken coffee: recipe to make it at home, even without a shaker

It’s one of the most loved drinks among coffee enthusiasts who occasionally enjoy trying alternative beverages without giving up the taste of espresso. We’re talking about shaken coffee.

In this article, we’ll discover how to make it, both “home-style” and the way it’s prepared in cafés and bars!

Shaken coffee is a drink made with just a few simple ingredients, yet the result is truly delicious. In fact, all you need is espresso coffee, sugar syrup, and ice to create a refreshing treat that can win anyone over.

There are many variations of shaken coffee. The most famous and commonly served in bars is the one made with Baileys. However, for a stronger alcoholic version, you can also use Martini or another sweet liqueur. There are also lighter versions perfect for the afternoon, such as the one made with milk.

To get creative with flavor, you can decorate the glass with chocolate topping or unsweetened cocoa powder.

And that’s not all…

When the weather gets hot, even a slice of orange or lemon can make shaken coffee even more aromatic.

In short, this coffee-based drink can truly satisfy everyone.

But how do you prepare shaken coffee? What ingredients make this drink so enjoyable? And most importantly, can you make it at home too?

Keep reading our article and you’ll discover the tastiest shaken coffee recipes. We’ll also explain how to prepare your homemade version, with or without a shaker.

That way, you can impress your guests or simply enjoy a relaxing moment with a shaken coffee made, of course, using your Pontevecchio lever espresso machine.

What is shaken coffee?

Shaken coffee is an iced coffee drink. Its main ingredients are espresso coffee, sugar syrup, and ice cubes.

As the name suggests, shaken coffee is prepared by shaking one or two shots of espresso at room temperature together with ice and sugar. You can also add vanilla liqueur or Baileys Irish Cream to create a richer flavor and a creamier texture.

Generally, the container is shaken repeatedly so the drink becomes frothy once poured.

It’s a fresh and pleasant beverage that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

In Italy, shaken coffee is one of the most popular alternatives to traditional hot coffee during summer and can be ordered in bars, cafés, hotels, restaurants, and bed & breakfasts.

One of the distinctive features of shaken coffee is the presentation: it is often served in Martini glasses, champagne flutes, or long-stemmed glasses to enhance its flavor and elegance.

You can also dust the rim of the glass with powdered sugar or cocoa powder.

In more refined venues, bartenders coat the inside of the glass with chocolate syrup before pouring the drink. Another delicious alternative is replacing the ice with vanilla ice cream.

To garnish the drink and make it even more special, some bars add a few coffee beans on top.

Those who enjoy “corrected coffee” can also order shaken coffee with rum, sambuca, or a few drops of amaretto. To give the drink a fruity note, a great tip is to add untreated lemon or orange zest directly into the shaker.

Shaken coffee: how It’s made in bars

If you love shaken coffee and would like to prepare it at home to impress your guests or simply enjoy a pleasant break by yourself, you’ll be happy to know it’s easier than you think.

First of all, let’s start with the classic café-style shaken coffee recipe:

• One or two shots of espresso
• 4 tablespoons of sugar syrup
• 6 ice cubes

Starting from these ingredients, you can prepare a bar-quality shaken coffee at home by paying attention to every step.

First, remember that the real secret behind authentic bar-style shaken coffee is one thing: espresso made with a professional espresso machine. Traditional moka coffee produces a different result, and it’s good to know this beforehand.

Here are all the steps for preparing shaken coffee:

1. Put crushed ice into the shaker;
2. Add coffee and liquid sugar;
3. Shake vigorously until a creamy foam forms;
4. Pour into glasses and enjoy!

If you don’t have a shaker, don’t worry: you can still make shaken coffee at home without one.

Here’s how:

1. Crush the ice with your hands or a pestle;
2. Put the crushed ice into a blender together with the sugar syrup and coffee;
3. Blend for a few seconds.

If you prefer, you can also use an electric whisk. This method will also help you achieve the typical creamy texture of shaken coffee.

An extra tip for keeping the drink frothy is to chill the glasses in the refrigerator before serving, so they reach a very low temperature.

At home, it’s common not to have sugar syrup available. In that case, you can sweeten the coffee while it’s still hot so the sugar dissolves properly.

The famous Baileys shaken coffee

One of the tastiest versions for liqueur lovers is shaken coffee with Baileys.

Baileys is an Irish cream liqueur made with whiskey and cream. It has a rich texture and flavors of toffee, almond, and hazelnut. Combined with coffee, it enhances the flavor beautifully and is appreciated as an alternative to the classic shaken coffee.

Shaken coffee with Baileys is often enjoyed in summer holiday destinations because it gives you energy and adds a lively touch to the evening.

You don’t need to be a bartender to make it.

To prepare shaken coffee with Baileys at home, you’ll need:

• 40/50 ml of espresso coffee (about 2 shots)
• 25 ml of Baileys Irish Cream
• 4 ice cubes
• 3 teaspoons of brown sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder

First, prepare 2 shots of espresso with your Pontevecchio manual espresso machine. The ideal choice for a great Baileys shaken coffee is a ristretto espresso so the drink remains intense and not too diluted.

Put the ice and sugar into the shaker first, then add the coffee. Shake firmly two or three times until you reach the desired creamy consistency. Pour into a chilled glass and finally add the Irish cream.

If you prefer the Baileys to blend directly with the coffee, add two tablespoons of liqueur into the shaker together with the other ingredients and shake everything together. Strain the ice using the shaker’s filter.

For an even more indulgent touch, dust the drink with cocoa powder or add two coffee beans into the chilled flute glass.

This version will truly amaze your guests!

What are the best variations of shaken coffee?

Coffee cream is just one of the many variations that can enrich shaken coffee. You can also create fruity, spicy, alcoholic, or extra indulgent versions.

Here are some ideas so you can experiment with espresso in different ways without ever getting bored.

Even for these variations, take our advice: if you want to drink great coffee, always use the right espresso machine!

Lemon shaken coffee

Looking for a refreshing and aromatic drink? Lemon shaken coffee is perfect for you.

This recipe requires only a few ingredients: an untreated lemon, sugar, water, and of course coffee. However, you’ll need a bit of patience because the lemon syrup should be prepared the day before.

To make the lemon syrup, wash the lemon thoroughly and peel the zest using a vegetable peeler. Cut the zest into thin strips, then combine it with sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring everything to a boil for about 9 minutes.

Leave the syrup to rest overnight in the fridge. The next day, strain it and add it to the coffee inside the shaker.

Shaken coffee with ginger or cinnamon

If you love spices, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom pair perfectly with coffee.

To add a spicy note to your drink, simply add a pinch of your favorite spice into the shaker together with the coffee. After shaking everything well, pour the drink and dust the glass with the same spice used inside.

The result is a shaken coffee with warm, exotic, and enveloping flavors.

Mint shaken coffee

Mint is an aromatic herb with a strong flavor that gives coffee a unique twist.

The preparation follows the classic recipe, with one small difference: mint leaves should be added into the container with the ice shortly before adding the coffee.

Alcoholic shaken coffee

To create an alcoholic shaken coffee, you can replace Baileys with another liqueur, but it’s important to consider both texture and flavor before preparing your “corrected” coffee.

The liqueurs that pair best with coffee are Amaretto di Saronno, Sambuca, and Anise liqueur.

Vanilla shaken coffee

Vanilla shaken coffee is one of the sweetest and most unique variations.

Start by preparing a strong espresso and let it cool. In a shaker, combine the cold coffee, a vanilla bean sliced lengthwise (use the scraped seeds for a stronger flavor), and sugar to taste. Add a few ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 15–20 seconds.

This process cools the coffee and creates a frothy texture.

Strain the mixture into a chilled glass to remove the vanilla seeds and ice fragments. Serve immediately for a delicious and refreshing shaken coffee.

Cinnamon shaken coffee

After vanilla shaken coffee, we couldn’t skip cinnamon shaken coffee.

Prepare a strong espresso and let it cool. Pour it into a shaker together with one teaspoon of sugar (or to taste) and a quarter teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Add plenty of ice cubes. Close the shaker and shake for 15–20 seconds.

Shaking will not only mix the flavors but also create a delicious creamy foam.

Strain the drink into a chilled glass to remove the ice. Serve immediately and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon for an elegant touch.

Shaken coffee with milk

If you’re looking for a creamy and non-alcoholic shaken coffee, this recipe is perfect for you.

It’s an even more indulgent version, ideal as an alternative to classic after-meal coffee.

This drink is perfect for enjoying sunny summer afternoons with the right amount of sweetness.

To create the creamy texture, you can use milk, and for an even richer flavor you can add hazelnut spread or chocolate topping.

Ingredients for two people:

• 50 ml of espresso coffee (about 2 shots)
• 60 ml of cold whole milk
• 1 or 2 ice cubes (10 g)
• 2 teaspoons of hazelnut spread or chocolate topping
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Brown sugar

First prepare the espresso and let it cool slightly. While waiting, coat two glasses with topping or hazelnut spread on the bottom and sides.

Dust the glasses with cocoa powder.

Pour the coffee into the shaker together with the ice and milk, close the shaker, and shake vigorously.

Once the drink becomes frothy, pour it into the glasses and top with cocoa powder or whipped milk foam.

If you don’t have a shaker or don’t know how to froth milk, you can use a glass jar with a lid (like a jam jar) as a homemade shaker.

This drink is incredibly versatile and can also be paired with pistachio cream, white chocolate, or coffee topping. Just use your imagination.

Shaken Coffee with whipped cream

Shaken coffee, just like espresso, pairs perfectly with whipped cream, which can be added directly into the shaker.

For an even more indulgent presentation, dust the glass with a little cocoa powder.

This version is also delicious with chopped nuts, chocolate flakes, or coconut powder.

And for an even easier preparation, you can make it with a Thermomix too!

Shaken coffee with Thermomix

The Thermomix is a kitchen appliance that can do almost everything and is a perfect alternative to a shaker for preparing shaken coffee in just a few steps.

Thanks to this tool, you’ll need only 5 minutes with almost no effort. The only important thing is to use already cooled coffee for the best result.

Ingredients for two people:

• 10 ice cubes
• 4 teaspoons of brown sugar
• 2 shots of cold coffee

Simply put all the ingredients into the Thermomix bowl and blend for 5 minutes.

The result is a light and delicious drink very similar to the one served in bars.

It can be flavored with Irish cream, Sambuca, or another sweet liqueur.

For a non-alcoholic but more aromatic version, add lemon or orange zest, or a few mint leaves. This variation is perfect during extremely hot afternoons, perhaps served with cookies or vanilla ice cream.

Shaken coffee can also be the perfect alternative to hot coffee during the hottest summer months.

DIY shaker for shaken coffee

What if you don’t own a shaker?

If you don’t have a shaker or even a Thermomix, you can still prepare shaken coffee using simple kitchen tools.

A practical solution is a glass jar with an airtight lid, like those used for food storage. Make sure it’s clean and seals properly to prevent leaks.

Here’s how to do it:

Prepare a strong espresso and let it cool. Pour the coffee into the jar, add sugar to taste, and plenty of ice cubes. Close the lid tightly and shake the jar vigorously.

The strong shaking helps create a light foam while cooling the coffee even further, incorporating air that makes the drink fresher and more enjoyable.

After shaking well, open the jar and, if necessary, strain the coffee using a sieve to remove the ice before pouring it into a glass.

Serve your homemade shaken coffee in a chilled glass for a more refined result. This home method is not only effective but also adds a personal touch to the process of making your shaken coffee.

Mistakes to avoid when preparing shaken coffee

Making a good shaken coffee may seem easy, but there are several common mistakes that can ruin the final result.

One of the most common mistakes is using coffee that is still too hot. If you shake freshly brewed espresso immediately, the ice melts too quickly and the result becomes watery and weak. It’s better to let the coffee cool slightly first.

Ice also plays a crucial role. Using too little won’t cool the drink properly, while too much may dilute the flavor. Large, compact ice cubes are recommended because they melt more slowly.

Another common mistake concerns sugar. Granulated sugar doesn’t dissolve easily in cold drinks, which is why bars often use sugar syrup instead. Alternatively, sweeten the coffee while it’s still hot.

To achieve the classic creamy foam of shaken coffee, you need to shake vigorously for at least 15–20 seconds. If you don’t shake long enough, the drink will taste flat and lack foam.

Finally, the glass itself is important. Serving shaken coffee in a chilled glass helps maintain the creamy consistency longer and makes the drink even more enjoyable during hot summer days.

Shaken coffee: serve it with style

Serving shaken coffee in one of the ways listed below can transform a simple drink into a unique experience.
If you want to impress your guests or simply enjoy a delicious and relaxing moment, follow these tips:

• Don’t use ordinary glasses: use cocktail or martini glasses for a more elegant effect. Another great idea is to use vintage or decorated glasses to add a stylish touch;
• Decorate the rim: coat the rim of the glass first in simple syrup and then in colored sugar or cocoa powder. This not only adds flavor but also creates a beautiful visual contrast;
• Milk or coffee ice cubes: if you enjoy stronger flavors, freeze coffee or milk into ice cubes and use them in your shaken coffee. As they melt, they enrich the drink without diluting it;
• Flavor layering: create visible layers in the glass by alternating shaken coffee with whipped cream or milk cream. To achieve this effect, pour the ingredients slowly to keep the layers separated and use transparent glasses;
• Sorbet or ice cream: add a scoop of coffee ice cream or coffee sorbet to the glass before pouring in the shaken coffee to create a refreshing dessert.

Conclusion

Shaken coffee is a delicious and refreshing drink made with coffee, ice, and sugar syrup. In Italy, it is extremely popular and can be ordered in bars, pubs, hotels, and cafés.

There are many delicious variations of shaken coffee where additional ingredients are added to the basic recipe. One of the most popular is shaken coffee with Baileys, the famous Irish cream liqueur that gives the drink a pleasant alcoholic twist.

Now that you know all the recipes, you can prepare shaken coffee at home too — with or without a shaker, using a Thermomix or even simple kitchen tools.

Remember: the real secret to making it taste as good as the one served in bars is using a professional espresso machine to prepare the espresso.

Discover Pontevecchio lever espresso machines and enjoy perfect coffee every day while preparing irresistible shaken coffee at home.