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Bicerin

Hard Difficulty
12 min
Serves 1

Bicerin (meaning "small glass" in the local dialect) is a historic and luxurious beverage from Turin, Italy, dating back to the 18th century. Served in a small glass, it consists of three distinct, unmixed layers: rich, thick hot chocolate at the bottom, a shot of strong coffee in the middle, and a layer of lightly whipped cream on top. It is a true indulgence, meant to be sipped without stirring to experience each layer individually and then all at once.

You'll Need

Ingredients

  • High-Quality Dark Chocolate - 30g (1 oz)

    (chopped)

  • Whole Milk - 60ml (2 oz)
  • Espresso - 1 shot (30ml)

    (strong)

  • Heavy Cream - 30ml (1 oz)

    (lightly whipped)

Equipment

  • Small Saucepan
  • Espresso Machine or Moka Pot
  • Whisk
  • Small stemmed glass

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the hot chocolate: In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk. Add the chopped dark chocolate and whisk continuously until you have a smooth, thick, and luscious mixture. Pour this into the bottom of your glass.

  2. 2

    Brew a shot of strong espresso.

  3. 3

    To create the second layer, pour the hot espresso very slowly over the back of a spoon onto the hot chocolate layer.

  4. 4

    Lightly whip the heavy cream until it is thick but still pourable. It should not be stiff.

  5. 5

    Carefully float the whipped cream on top of the coffee layer, again using the back of a spoon to create the final layer.

Tasting Profile

Body5.0
Sweetness4.0
Acidity1.5
Intensity4.0

Pro Tips

The success of this drink is in the distinct layers. Pouring slowly over a spoon is essential.

Using high-quality, high-cocoa-content chocolate is non-negotiable for the authentic thick texture.

Note: The temperature differences help maintain the layers, with the hot chocolate and coffee providing a base for the cooler cream.

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