Iced Shaken Espresso Recipe

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Kaleb Wyse wearing black shirt with a tan background.

Why I Love a Shaken Espresso

Purchasing coffee from a small shop is fun and can be a great way to try out new drinks. Personally, once I find a drink that I like, I’m on a mission to make it myself, all at home. I’ve found that I get the most enjoyment from making my coffee exactly how I like it.

I’ll admit that the name shaken espresso sounds fancy. It seems like something we’d never want to make for ourselves right at home. The secret? This is about the easiest drink you’ll make.

Shaking has a purpose: When you shake hot espresso with ice, you’re doing more than just chilling it down. The act of shaking rapidly cools the espresso while introducing tiny air bubbles that create a naturally frothy, velvety texture, almost like a cold crema. The ice also gently dilutes the espresso as it melts, mellowing out the intensity just enough to highlight the roasted coffee notes without being too overpowering.

This is what gives a shaken espresso that signature smooth finish that’s more sippable than a straight shot and feels super luxurious without any cream added.

Tall glass with shaken espresso with milk mixture pouring throughout.

Iced Shaken Espresso Ingredients

There are just 4 ingredients needed to make this easy shaken espresso recipe:

Espresso – The essential component of this drink. I opt for a double shot to really experience the coffee flavor.
Light brown sugar – Adds a warm sweetness and some caramel notes while it melts into the hot espresso. I also love to use date syrup as an easy swapout (more in the FAQ about this).
Ice – Chills and froths the espresso as you shake. Some of the ice will melt with the heat of the espresso, but there should still be plenty left without adding more.
Milk of choice – Adds creaminess and balances the intensity of the espresso.

The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

White marble surface with four ingredients for a shaken espresso.

How to Make an Iced Shaken Espresso

It’s super simple and takes just 3 easy steps:

Prepare a double shot of espresso. Use a pod, an espresso machine, or a stovetop brewer, and pour it over the brown sugar (or date syrup).

Add the ice and shake. During the 10-20 seconds of shaking, all of the magic happens. The oils in the espresso emulsify with the ice and create a mellow, smooth-tasting espresso.

Finish it with the milk of your choice. You can add any type of additional sweetness at this point. Serve and enjoy!

Glass with milk pouring on top of a shaken espresso.

I love to use my Eureka Mignon Notte grinder and Diletta Mio espresso machine to make a quick and delicious espresso. The machine has impeccable temperature control, which makes crafting the perfect espresso easy. Plus, the Italian-engineered design focuses on quality with an eco-friendly low-power mode. If you’re ready to up your espresso game, make sure to check out both machines:

Milk mixing with coffee in a tall glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make espresso without a machine?

Espresso is often made with espresso machines, but you do not need a fancy machine! Other options include: 1) pod-style machines that use preportioned pods to make the espresso, 2) stovetop brewers, and 3) espresso shots in the frozen section of grocery stores.

Are there variations to this shaken espresso?

Yes! This recipe uses some date syrup as both a sweetener and a flavor. You can try some brown sugar, molasses, white sugar, or sweetened creamer. The sky is the limit! For syrups or sugars, add them with the espresso shot before adding the ice to ensure that they dissolve. For creamers, add them with the milk at the end.

What is date syrup?

Dates grow on large palms. As they dry, their sugars condense to form a candy-like fruit. The fruit can be ground into a paste that’s similar to the consistency and color of molasses. Some believe the sugar in dates has a lower impact on the body’s glycemic index. Either way, I love the flavor and sweetness it offers in this drink.

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Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?

I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!