Pin I discovered this drink on a rainy afternoon when my espresso machine started acting temperamental, and I found myself staring at a box of ladyfingers in the pantry. Instead of giving up on coffee, I wondered what would happen if I treated a latte like tiramisu—layering that coffee-soaked crumb into something warm and drinkable. The first sip was a revelation: creamy, indulgent, and somehow both comforting and elegant.
I made this for a friend who'd just moved into a new apartment with a kitchen barely bigger than a closet. She was nervous about entertaining, but we sat on her floor with these drinks, spooning through the layers, and suddenly her tiny kitchen didn't matter anymore. She's made it dozens of times since—always says it's her secret weapon for turning a regular Tuesday into something special.
Ingredients
- Hot espresso (2 shots, 60 ml): This is your foundation—use freshly pulled espresso for that bitter richness that cuts through the sweetness.
- Coffee liqueur, 30 ml (optional): A splash of Kahlúa or similar adds depth, but the drink is stunning without it if you're keeping things simple.
- Ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi), 4 crumbled: These crispy cookies are essential—they absorb the espresso beautifully without turning to mush instantly.
- Whole milk, 120 ml: Adds body to your cream layer and keeps everything from feeling too heavy.
- Heavy cream, 100 ml: This is what makes the drink feel luxurious; don't skip it or substitute it with milk.
- Mascarpone cheese, 80 g: The real star—make sure it's at room temperature or it'll clump when you whisk it.
- Sugar, 2 tbsp: Just enough to balance the bitter espresso without making it cloying.
- Vanilla extract, ½ tsp: A subtle floral note that pulls everything together.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting: The finishing touch—don't use sweetened cocoa or you'll lose that bittersweet magic.
- Dark chocolate shavings (optional): A garnish that catches the light and tells people this drink means business.
Instructions
- Brew and soak:
- Pull your espresso shots directly over the crumbled ladyfingers in a shallow bowl. If you're using the coffee liqueur, add it now while everything's hot. Let it sit for about 2 minutes—you want the biscuits soft but still with a little texture, not disintegrated.
- Whisk the cream:
- In another bowl, combine the room-temperature mascarpone, heavy cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk gently at first—mascarpone likes to be treated kindly—until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
- Layer in glasses:
- Divide those coffee-soaked crumbles between two large latte glasses or mugs, spooning them into the bottom half of each glass.
- Pour the cream:
- Gently pour the mascarpone mixture over the biscuit layer, letting it settle naturally. You want some swirling, some separation—that's where the visual appeal lives.
- Dust and garnish:
- Using a sifter or fine mesh strainer, dust the top generously with cocoa powder. If you have dark chocolate, shave some over the top for that final elegant touch.
- Serve immediately:
- Hand them over with a spoon for stirring and scooping, because the joy of this drink is in how you experience the layers as they slowly meld together.
Pin My partner's mom tasted this for the first time and got quiet in that way people do when food surprises them. She asked if I'd found the recipe in an Italian cookbook, and when I admitted I'd basically invented it that rainy afternoon, she smiled and said it tasted like home anyway. That's when I understood this drink was about more than flavor—it was about creating a moment that feels both indulgent and familiar.
Playing with Milk Options
If you're avoiding dairy or just want something lighter, oat milk or almond milk work beautifully here. They won't whip up quite as thickly as the cream mixture, but they'll still create that essential silky layer. Use a vegan mascarpone substitute and you've got something your dairy-free friends will actually want to linger over instead of politely sipping.
Alcohol-Free Variations
Skip the coffee liqueur without hesitation—the espresso and mascarpone carry enough flavor on their own. If you want to add a whisper of complexity without alcohol, try a tiny pinch of instant espresso powder mixed into the cream layer, or a drop of almond extract instead of vanilla. Some afternoons call for the full-throttle version, and some call for something you can enjoy without the liqueur sitting heavy afterward.
Making This Drink Your Own
The beauty of this recipe is how it invites tinkering. I've made it with hazelnut liqueur instead of coffee liqueur, added a pinch of cinnamon to the cocoa powder, even crushed a few amaretti biscuits into the mascarpone layer for extra almond flavor. The structure stays solid—hot espresso, soaked biscuits, creamy layer—so you've got a framework to play with.
- Pair it with a biscotti or a piece of dark chocolate on the side for dunking.
- Make it for two, or double the recipe and serve it in smaller portions as a dessert course after dinner.
- Dust the cocoa at the very last second before serving so it doesn't absorb the moisture and disappear into the cream.
Pin This drink has become my answer to that question we all ask sometimes: how do you turn an ordinary moment into something worth remembering? It's in the way the cocoa powder catches the light, the spoon hitting the glass, the layers slowly becoming one. That's all the magic you need.
Recipe Questions
- → What type of biscuits are used in this drink?
Ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi) are crumbled and soaked in espresso to form the base layer, adding a delicate texture.
- → Can I make an alcohol-free version?
Yes, simply omit the coffee liqueur to keep the drink alcohol-free without sacrificing flavor.
- → What alternatives are there for dairy ingredients?
Almond or oat milk can replace whole milk, and vegan mascarpone substitutes work well to create a lighter, dairy-free option.
- → How should the drink be served?
Serve immediately in large latte glasses or mugs with a spoon for stirring and scooping the layered textures.
- → What garnishes enhance this coffee drink?
Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting and dark chocolate shavings add aroma, bitterness, and a beautiful finish.