How to Make Summer Love Coffee with Espresso and Liqueurs

Looking for a refreshing yet indulgent way to end a meal with coffee? Many coffee drinkers want a dessert-like coffee beverage that still highlights the espresso—something with flavor complexity but not overly sweet. The Summer Love Coffee is just that: a layered after-dinner drink built around a strong shot of espresso, lifted with aromatic liqueurs and crowned with smooth whipped cream.

Here’s the straightforward formula: 8 parts filled espresso cup, 10ml almond liqueur, 10ml anise liqueur, and a final float of whipped cream. That’s it. This 3-ingredient Italian-style coffee cocktail balances bitterness, nuttiness, spice, and richness.

What Is Summer Love Coffee?

Summer Love Coffee—known in Chinese as —is a layered Italian-style coffee cocktail typically served as a digestif or dessert drink. It combines a base of strong Italian espresso with almond-flavored liqueur (usually Disaronno or similar) and anise-flavored liqueur (commonly Sambuca or another anise liqueur), then topped with freshly whipped cream. The drink is not widely known outside Italy or Chinese specialty coffee circles, but it offers a sophisticated blend of bitter, nutty, and sweet flavors that complements espresso well.

Why Add Liqueurs to Espresso?

Coffee and liqueurs have long been paired in European drinking culture, especially after meals. Almond and anise liqueurs bring out different aromatic layers in espresso: almond adds a smooth, marzipan-like sweetness, while anise introduces a spicy, licorice-like note. Together, they enhance the roasted, sometimes chocolatey qualities of the espresso without overwhelming it. This makes the drink feel like a warm, spiced dessert in a glass.

How to Make Summer Love Coffee Step by Step

Here’s the exact method used in the original recipe, preserved in precise detail:

• Espresso: Start with a standard Italian-style espresso, poured to fill the cup about 7/10 full. That typically means a single or double shot, depending on your cup size. No specific roast level is stated, but a medium to dark roast Italian-style roast is implied to stand up to the liqueurs.
• Liqueurs: Add exactly 10 milliliters (ml) of almond liqueur (such as Disaronno) and 10 ml of anise liqueur (such as Sambuca). These are poured directly into the cup after the espresso.
• Whipped Cream: Finish with a layer of fresh whipped cream floated on top. The amount is described as “” (appropriate amount), meaning enough to cover the surface attractively but not overwhelm the drink.

Flavor Profile and Texture

The resulting drink is multi-layered: the bitterness of the espresso grounds the drink, while the almond and anise liqueurs introduce sweetness and spice. The cream adds a silky texture and tempers some of the alcohol’s edge. It’s meant to be sipped slowly, often as a finale to a meal or a cozy evening coffee moment.

What Coffee Should You Use?

The original recipe doesn’t specify a coffee bean or roast, but given the use of Italian liqueurs, it’s logical to assume a classic Italian-style espresso roast. That typically means a medium to dark roast with notes of caramel, dark chocolate, and some roastiness. A balanced single origin or classic espresso blend would work well here—if you’re brewing at home, choose an espresso with enough body and chocolate notes to hold up to the liqueurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Summer Love Coffee made of?

Summer Love Coffee is made with Italian espresso filled to about 7/10 of a cup, 10ml of almond liqueur, 10ml of anise liqueur, and a final layer of whipped cream. That’s the complete recipe with no additional ingredients.

What kind of liqueurs are used in Summer Love Coffee?

The drink uses two liqueurs: 10ml of almond-flavored liqueur (commonly Disaronno) and 10ml of anise-flavored liqueur (typically Sambuca). These provide nutty and spicy aromatic layers that complement the espresso.

Do you need a specific type of espresso for this drink?

The original recipe does not mandate a specific coffee bean or roast, but an Italian-style medium to dark roast espresso is implied. It should have enough body and roast character to balance the sweet and spicy liqueurs.

Can I use other liqueurs instead?

You could experiment with other nut or spice liqueurs, but the specific combination of almond and anise is what defines the traditional Summer Love Coffee flavor. Substitutions will change the profile significantly.

How much coffee and liqueur are in the drink?

The espresso fills the cup to roughly 7/10 full (approximating a standard shot or two), and then 10ml each of almond and anise liqueurs are added. The cream is added last as a float, with no specific measure given—use a spoon to layer it gently on top.

Is this drink alcoholic?

Yes, it contains two liqueurs totaling 20ml, which contribute to the drink’s alcohol content. It’s designed as an after-dinner or adult-only dessert coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Liqueur-Style Coffee

For making Summer Love Coffee at home, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend or Ethiopia Humbera. The Classic Blend offers a balanced medium-dark roast with notes of dark chocolate and caramel—perfect for standing up to almond and anise liqueurs. For single-origin fans, Ethiopia Humbera brings bright blueberry and floral tones with a juicy body, adding complexity under the cream. Both roasts deliver the body and roast depth needed to match the bold flavors in this dessert-style coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.