Introduction:Starbucks China’s recently launched “Iced Shaken Espresso” series actually originates from the classic Italian iced coffee, Caffe Shakerato. This iced coffee, made by shaking in a cocktail shaker, has sparked heated discussions on social media platforms with its velvety foam and unique texture. This article delves into its history, preparation techniques, consumer experiences, and also provides a simplified home version—so you can shake up a professional-grade iced coffee at home too.

In mid-June, Starbucks China officially introduced two new iced coffee offerings: Iced Shaken Espresso with Sea Salt Caramel and Iced Shaken Espresso with Tahitian Vanilla. These products are based on the very popular Italian iced coffee drink, Caffe Shakerato, which is vigorously shaken in a cocktail shaker to blend espresso with ice, creating fine foam with a texture reminiscent of dark beer, offering both visual and taste appeal.

Starbucks has long been known for its secret menu items, and many coffee enthusiasts have enjoyed special flavor drinks through informal ordering methods. It is understood that Starbucks baristas need to memorize over 170,000 customized drink recipes, and as some secret menu items saw consistently high order rates, they were eventually added to the official menu—“Iced Shaken Espresso” being one of them.

Caffe Shakerato was created by Italians in the summer as a way to enjoy the richness of espresso along with a cool, refreshing texture. The traditional method involves pouring a small cup of espresso into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and a small amount of syrup, then shaking it vigorously and quickly to rapidly chill the coffee while producing fine foam. This technique not only preserves the original aroma of the coffee but also adds a touch of sweetness and a creamy texture, making the entire drink look like a glass of dark beer.

It’s worth mentioning that each bartender or barista often adds their own personal touch when making it—such as flavored spirits—to create their own version of a coffee cocktail. As this drink spread across Europe, it gradually evolved to include versions with milk or various syrups, becoming a popular iced item in many coffee shops and even seen as a precursor to iced cappuccino.

However, successfully shaking a Caffe Shakerato with fine foam and a smooth texture is no easy feat. The key lies in using enough ice—ideally filling the cocktail shaker about eight-tenths full—to effectively chill the drink without it becoming diluted due to rapid ice melt. In addition, shaking technique is crucial; it must be shaken rapidly in a trajectory similar to the infinity symbol “♾️” to produce even and fine foam. This technique is not only physically demanding but also requires long-term practice, making it a significant challenge for baristas during peak hours.

After Starbucks transformed this originally hidden-menu or advanced technique-based drink into a regular menu item, it quickly sparked discussions on social media. Consumer feedback has been polarized: some customers praised its unique texture and visual experience, describing it as drinking “a dark beer with coffee aroma”; however, many others expressed disappointment, saying the foam was coarse, the texture poor, or even that it tasted like an ordinary flavored latte with just an extra layer of foam.

Additionally, some consumers reported that ingredients in the drink were changed without prior notice—for example, oat milk being substituted with whole milk. For customers with lactose intolerance, this could pose issues. These details have also drawn scrutiny on “Iced Shaken Espresso” not just from a technical standpoint, but also in terms of service and communication quality.

Despite the challenges, Starbucks’ launch of this drink is still a bold attempt—not only breaking the traditional framework of espresso preparation but also providing innovative inspiration to the industry. Whether it will become a permanent fixture on the menu in the long run still awaits ongoing validation from market and consumer feedback.

For coffee enthusiasts wanting to try making Caffe Shakerato at home, it can actually be done with simple tools and ingredients. It’s recommended to prepare a sealed cocktail shaker (or a sturdy glass cup), add small ice cubes to about seven to eight-tenths full, optionally add a small amount of syrup or flavored spirits depending on taste, then pour in pre-brewed espresso (you can use instant coffee powder or store-bought espresso liquid), finally tightly seal the lid and shake vigorously in a “♾️” motion for about 15 to 20 seconds until the cup frosts and the contents are well mixed. Pour and enjoy an iced shaken coffee similar to Starbucks’ “Iced Shaken Espresso.”

Although the home version may not fully replicate the techniques and equipment of professional baristas, with practice you can still adjust it to your ideal taste. Whether it’s to save money or for the joy of DIY, Caffe Shakerato is a classic iced coffee method worth trying.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.