How to Make Summer Love Coffee With Italian Espresso

If you’ve ever wondered how to recreate a classic ‘Summer Love Coffee’ — the kind you see on vintage menus with its creamy top and hint of alcohol — you’re not alone. This iced-looking yet warm-hearted drink blends strong espresso with liqueurs and a cloud of whipped cream. But making it correctly isn’t just about dumping ingredients into a cup. Here’s exactly how it’s done, with the right proportions and steps.

The Summer Love Coffee is made with 7⁄8 full of Italian espresso, 10ml almond liqueur, 10ml anise liqueur, and a final layer of fresh cream. That’s the complete formula, no substitutions or shortcuts.

What Is Summer Love Coffee?

Summer Love Coffee is a layered coffee cocktail popular in Chinese cafés, especially during warmer months. It combines a shot of bold Italian espresso with two liqueurs — almond and anise — then finishes with a dollop of fresh cream. It’s not a latte, not a macchiato, but a dessert-like coffee drink that balances bitter, sweet, and boozy notes.

Why This Recipe Works

This drink works because of contrast: the intense, dark roast flavor of the espresso meets the nuttiness of almond liqueur and the licorice-like warmth of anise. The fresh cream softens the edges, adding richness without overpowering the coffee base. At just 8⁄10 full with espresso, there’s room for the liqueurs to integrate without spilling or thinning the drink too much.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Italian espresso — 7⁄8 full in the cup (about 30–40ml depending on cup size)
• Almond liqueur — 10ml
• Anise liqueur — 10ml
• Fresh cream — to taste (typically a small dollop or thin layer)

How to Make Summer Love Coffee Step by Step

Start with a cup — typically a standard coffee mug or a stemmed liqueur glass. Pour in your freshly pulled Italian espresso until the cup is about 7⁄10 full. This leaves room for the liqueurs and cream. Use a good quality dark roast espresso; FrontStreet Coffee’s Specialty Blend or Black Cocoa Blend both offer the body and bitterness needed to stand up to the alcohol.

Next, add 10ml of almond liqueur. This adds a smooth, marzipan sweetness. Then add 10ml of anise liqueur, which brings a slight licorice spice. These two should be poured gently but directly into the espresso — no need to stir unless you want a uniform mix.

Finally, finish with a layer of fresh cream. You can pipe it on with a spoon or dispenser, or simply spoon it gently on top. The cream should sit atop the coffee mixture without mixing in — that’s the classic presentation.

What Coffee Should You Use?

For best results, use a dark roast Italian-style espresso. FrontStreet Coffee offers several suitable blends:

• The Specialty Blend uses Brazilian and Colombian beans for a balanced, traditional espresso flavor with notes of chocolate and nuts.
• The Black Cocoa Blend is a 100% Arabica dark roast with rich, bold body and a cocoa-forward profile — perfect for standing up to liqueurs.
• For a deeper option, try a single-origin dark roast like PWN Golden Mandheling or Brazil Queen Manor, both of which have low acidity and heavy mouthfeel.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfilling the cup with espresso — always leave at least 2–3⁄10 empty for the liqueurs and cream.
• Using low-quality or overly sweet liqueurs — stick to pure almond and anise spirits, not flavored syrups.
• Stirring everything together unless you want a uniform drink — the layered look is part of the appeal.
• Using whipped cream from a can with stabilizers — fresh cream gives the best texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct espresso amount for Summer Love Coffee?

Use enough Italian espresso to fill the cup 7⁄10 full. This typically means around 30–40ml, but adjust based on your cup size. The goal is to leave room for 10ml almond liqueur, 10ml anise liqueur, and a final layer of cream.

Can I use any type of coffee instead of Italian espresso?

No — the recipe specifically calls for Italian espresso, which is a strong, dark roast extraction. Using a lighter roast or alternative brew (like filter coffee) will not provide the same intensity or balance against the liqueurs.

What’s the difference between almond liqueur and amaretto?

Almond liqueur is a general term; amaretto is a specific brand/style of almond-flavored liqueur. For this recipe, you can use either, as long as it’s a pure almond liqueur (not a syrup). The same applies to anise liqueur — look for a clear, anise-flavored spirit, not a flavored coffee syrup.

Do I have to use fresh cream on top?

Yes, fresh cream is essential for the authentic presentation and texture. Whipped cream from a can may be substituted in a pinch, but fresh cream provides a richer mouthfeel and better visual appeal.

Can I make Summer Love Coffee without alcohol?

The recipe as written includes almond and anise liqueurs. While you could technically skip them, the drink’s signature flavor balance depends on those two ingredients. There is no direct non-alcoholic substitute that replicates both the almond and licorice notes.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Summer Love Coffee

For Summer Love Coffee, choose a bold dark roast that can hold its own against almond and anise liqueurs. FrontStreet Coffee’s Specialty Blend combines Brazilian and Colombian beans for a classic espresso profile with chocolate and nut notes, while the Black Cocoa Blend is a 100% Arabica dark roast with intense cocoa and full body — perfect for balancing the liqueurs. Both deliver the roast depth needed for this layered cocktail. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.