New-Age Coffee: Espresso, Ice Cream & Vodka Drink

Looking for a standout summer coffee drink that blends bold flavors with a touch of indulgence? The ‘New-Age’ coffee from illy’s 2011 summer lineup offers just that—a sophisticated mix of chilled espresso, creamy ice cream, and spirits, designed to delight both coffee and cocktail fans alike. It’s not your usual espresso-based drink, but a chilled, aromatic experience worth trying.

The New-Age coffee is made with cooled espresso, one scoop of ice cream, orange liqueur, a measure of vodka, and topped with chocolate chips. The final drink is a rye-hued, aromatic cocktail best served cold, typically in early summer months like June.

What Is New-Age Coffee?

New-Age coffee is a chilled coffee cocktail created by illy in 2011 as part of their seasonal summer drinks range. It combines several contrasting elements: a base of cooled espresso, a sweet and creamy ice cream ball, a splash of orange liqueur, a measure of vodka, and a garnish of chocolate fragments. The result is a rich, dessert-like beverage with a complex flavor profile—aromatic, boozy, and sweet, yet anchored by espresso.

How Is It Made?

To make New-Age coffee, you blend the following ingredients until smooth:

• Cooled espresso (quantity not specified, but enough to form the base)
• One scoop of vanilla or flavored ice cream
• Orange liqueur (specific brand or quantity not stated)
• Vodka (specific brand or quantity not stated)
• Garnished with chocolate fragments or shavings

The mixture is shaken or blended until uniform, resulting in a dessert-style coffee cocktail with a rye-colored appearance and an invitingly sweet aroma. No specific preparation temperature or exact ratios are given in the original text, but it is served chilled, likely straight from the blender or shaker.

Where Was It First Served?

This coffee cocktail was introduced in Shanghai in mid-June 2011, available initially through select illy partner locations in the city. It was part of illy’s push to promote coffee culture beyond the cup, combining food and beverage innovation with their premium espresso identity.

Why Did illy Create This Drink?

As the leading coffee brand globally, illy aims not only to deliver classic espresso experiences but also to spread coffee culture through creative formats. The New-Age coffee reflects that mission by turning a traditional espresso shot into a summertime dessert drink. At the time, Zhang Guojun, illy China’s General Manager, emphasized that illy was committed to education and cultural engagement, citing the five-year-old illy Coffee University in Shanghai and the upcoming arrival of the famed illy Art Gallery in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a New-Age coffee drink?

New-Age coffee contains cooled espresso, one scoop of ice cream, orange liqueur, vodka, and is topped with chocolate fragments. These ingredients are blended together to create a chilled, aromatic coffee cocktail with a dessert-like consistency.

When was the New-Age coffee drink launched?

The New-Age coffee drink was launched in June 2011 by illy and was first served in select partner locations across Shanghai.

What alcohol is used in the New-Age coffee?

The New-Age coffee includes both orange liqueur and vodka, though the exact types or measures are not specified in the original article.

Where can I try this drink?

The drink was originally available in mid-2011 at selected illy partner cafes in Shanghai. It is not confirmed to be part of current illy menus, but similar drinks may be found in specialty cafés experimenting with espresso cocktails.

Can I make New-Age coffee at home?

Yes, you can recreate New-Age coffee at home with cooled espresso, ice cream, orange liqueur, vodka, and chocolate chips. Blend the ingredients until smooth and serve chilled for the intended effect.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Iced Coffee Cocktails

For making coffee cocktails like New-Age coffee, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend is an ideal choice—it delivers a smooth, well-rounded espresso with rich crema, even when chilled or mixed. The Black Cocoa Blend also works well for its deep, chocolatey profile that complements dessert-style drinks. Both blends are crafted for espresso preparation and perform consistently whether served hot or incorporated into iced or alcoholic coffee recipes. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.