Happy Coffee Day and a Coffee Milkshake Recipe

copyright 2016 Maria Liberati/Art of Living.PrimaMedia,Inc.

Happy Coffee Day!   Whether you are studying for a final exam or cramming in a work project last minute, burning the midnight oil comes with the desire for caffeine… and lots of it. In America, we tend to sweeten up our coffee with milk, cream, and/or sugar. Coffee is an important ingredient in American as well as  Italian culture. The first European coffeehouse was actually opened in Venice, Italy in the 17^th century! The love of this addictive, smooth-as-velvet stimulant quickly spread throughout Italy and eventually the world. This beloved beverage that is now known throughout the world  comes in many different flavors and varieties and has become an art unto itself.

I love the unmistakable, perfect scent of coffee beans brewing.

In this winter months, we resort to hot cups of coffee and snuggle up in a chair and work, but sometimes a cool coffee milkshake will do. And this one makes a perfect way to celebrate the day, so easy you can make it at home. It is like a milkshake or a frappucino. The amaretto adds a delicate, sweet, almond flavor to the drink. This drink recipe is perfect because it combines our love of coffee with a refreshing chill. After blending it, be sure to put it in a fun or overly- elegant chilled glass for extra enjoyment!

Frullatto al caffe (Coffee ‘frullato’ or milkshake)

From The Basic Art of Coffee

*2 cups of strong espresso coffee

*4 tblsps of sugar or sugar substitute

*2 cups of chopped ice

*1 tsp of anisette or amaretto flavoring

*1 cup milk (part skim or skim milk)

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend for 30 seconds. Serve immediately in two tall chilled glasses.

For more great coffee recipes, get your copy of The Basic Art of Coffee

Also get the Gourmand World Award Winning Book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking:Holidays and Special Occasions-2nd edition

October 10th..looking forward to speaking to the ladies at the Circolo Italiano in Haddonfield NJ!