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PhrasesAt the BarUn caffè shakerato, per favore.
A2

Un caffè shakerato, per favore.

A shaken iced coffee, please.

Pronunciation

sha-ke-RA-to — four syllables, English 'sh', Italian ending. Stress on third.

When to use it

At an Italian bar in warm weather when you want an elegant iced coffee. The shakerato is more sophisticated than a plain iced coffee.

What it means

'Shakerato' comes from the English 'shaken' with an Italian suffix — the espresso is shaken vigorously with ice and sugar (optional) in a cocktail shaker, producing a cold, frothy coffee served in a cocktail glass.

Variations

Un caffè shakerato senza zucchero.

A shaken coffee without sugar.

Specify if you want it unsweetened — the default often includes a little sugar

Un caffè shakerato con panna.

A shaken coffee with cream.

Add cream for a richer, dessert-like version

Un caffè in ghiaccio.

A coffee over ice.

Simpler version — espresso poured directly over ice without shaking

Mini Dialogue

— Un caffè shakerato, per favore. — Con zucchero? — Mezzo cucchiaino. — Perfetto. Glielo preparo come si fa al bar — in coppa.

— A shaken coffee, please. — With sugar? — Half a teaspoon. — Perfect. I'll prepare it bar-style — in a coupe glass.

Cultural Note

The caffè shakerato is the summer version of the espresso ritual — it transforms a simple coffee into a sophisticated cocktail-style experience. The shaking creates a frothy, velvety texture that only lasts a few minutes before the foam settles. Drinking it quickly is part of the experience.