Caffè Leccese: Recipe, Origins & Coffee from Salento

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Caffè Leccese: Rezept, Herkunft & Kaffee aus dem Salento

Caffè Leccese is a refreshing coffee specialty from Lecce in southern Italy: espresso, ice and sweet almond syrup. Here’s how to make it at home.

What is Caffè Leccese?

In Puglia, it is also known as caffè in ghiaccio con latte di mandorla. The traditional drink often uses a sweet almond syrup, which is different from unsweetened almond milk sold as a dairy alternative.

Where does Caffè Leccese come from?

Caffè Leccese is part of the coffee culture of Lecce, a city famous for its Baroque architecture. The popularity of coffee served over ice is often associated with local traditions and the Quarta family, although accounts of the drink’s exact invention are not definitively documented.

Caffè Leccese recipe for 2 glasses

Ingredients

  • 2 espressos, about 25–30 ml each
  • 8–10 ice cubes
  • 20–40 ml sweet almond syrup

Method

  1. Brew two espressos or strong coffee using a moka pot.
  2. Fill two glasses with ice.
  3. Divide the sweet almond syrup between the glasses.
  4. Pour in the coffee, stir and serve immediately.

Tip: start with a little syrup and add more to taste. Unsweetened almond milk will produce a less sweet, different-tasting drink.

Which coffee works best?

Choose a full-flavoured espresso that stands up to ice and almond sweetness. For a link to Lecce’s coffee culture, explore Caffè Quarta or our whole coffee beans.

Caffè Leccese vs iced coffee vs iced latte

Caffè Leccese

Espresso, ice and sweet almond syrup.

Iced coffee

Varies by country; sometimes includes ice cream or whipped cream.

Iced latte

Espresso, cold milk and ice, usually without almond syrup.

Can you make it without an espresso machine?

Yes. Strong coffee brewed in a moka pot works well. Let it cool briefly if you want the ice to melt more slowly. Decaf espresso is another option.

Frequently asked questions

What does Caffè Leccese mean?

The name refers to a coffee specialty from Lecce, served with ice and sweet almond flavour.

Is Caffè Leccese vegan?

It can be, if the almond syrup is entirely plant-based. Check the ingredient label.

Is almond syrup the same as almond milk?

Not necessarily. Traditional sweet almond syrup can be far more concentrated and sugary than unsweetened almond milk.

Can the coffee cool before serving?

Yes. Slightly cooled coffee melts the ice more slowly.

A taste of Salento at home

Just a few ingredients bring a taste of Salento into your kitchen. Explore Caffè Quarta, our Italian specialties and the history of Kimbo coffee from Naples.

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