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PhrasesOrdering CoffeeUn marocchino, per favore.
A2

Un marocchino, per favore.

A marocchino, please.

Pronunciation

ma-roc-CHI-no — four syllables, stress on third.

When to use it

When you want a small, rich coffee drink that combines espresso, cocoa powder and hot milk foam — a regional specialty from Turin and Alexandria.

What it means

The 'marocchino' (literally 'Moroccan') is a Piedmontese specialty: a small glass with a dusting of cocoa, a shot of espresso, and steamed milk foam. It is served in a small glass, not a cup. It sits between a macchiato and a cappuccino in size.

Variations

Un marocchino con la nutella.

A marocchino with Nutella.

A decadent variant found in Piedmont — Nutella on the inside of the glass before adding coffee

Un mocaccino.

A mocaccino.

Larger version with more milk — closer to a mocha than a marocchino

Un espressino.

A small espressino.

Similar concept — espresso in a small glass with a foam topping, used in southern Italy

Mini Dialogue

— Un marocchino, per favore. — In tazzina o nel bicchierino? — Nel bicchierino, come si fa ad Alessandria. — Ah, è di Alessandria! Lo faccio subito doc.

— A marocchino, please. — In a cup or in a small glass? — In a small glass, as they do it in Alexandria. — Ah, you're from Alexandria! I'll make you an authentic one right away.

Cultural Note

The marocchino was invented in Alessandria (Piedmont) in the 1990s and named after the 'moka' leather colour of its appearance. It is one of Italy's few original modern coffee inventions and is slowly spreading beyond its Piedmontese homeland.