Do you have ginseng coffee?
gin-SENG — two syllables, stress on the second. The 'g' is hard, not like 'gin'.
When you want an alternative to espresso — ginseng coffee has become very popular in Italy as a sweeter, energising alternative.
'Caffè al ginseng' is a creamy, sweet beverage made with ginseng powder and usually a blend of powdered milk and sugar. It is prepared in a machine similar to an espresso machine and is served hot. It has become extremely popular since the 2010s.
Un ginseng caldo.
A hot ginseng drink.
Short form — completely understood
Un ginseng macchiato.
A ginseng with a drop of espresso.
Some bars mix espresso into the ginseng for extra caffeine
Un ginseng freddo.
A cold ginseng drink.
Served iced in summer — a refreshing alternative to iced coffee
Ginseng coffee is an Italian innovation that became a nationwide phenomenon in the 2010s. Despite containing ginseng, it does not taste strongly of the root — it is creamy, slightly sweet and energising. It is now available in virtually every Italian bar and is particularly popular as a mid-morning break drink.