Iced Espresso Drinks by Synesso from the Chef's Playground

According to the National Coffee Association, the drinking of java is at a two-decade high with over 500 million cups of coffee being consumed in the United States every day. And iced coffee is just as popular as hot, especially during the summer months. The best way for baristas to serve the custom cold coffee drinks?  With the Synesso S-Series espresso machine.

History of Espresso

Originating in Italy, espresso is a way to brew coffee using extremely hot water, finely ground coffee beans, and high pressure. Despite popular belief, it's not the beans that make espresso. It's the method it's brewed so any type of beans can be used. Tamping down the ground beans as the water flows through produces a syrupy consistency that is unique to espresso and gives it that creamy taste. Generally served by the shot, espresso can be consumed straight or mixed into a coffee-based drink, which is becoming more popular. 

Current Espresso Trends

As the popularity of coffee continues to grow, so do the trends associated with it. Espresso trends are no different. Once a specialty drink, espresso has gone mainstream with people asking for shots in their chai to sweet iced drinks that are on the menu in many popular coffee shops and bakeries. Here are some of the trends we're seeing lately:

Iced Espresso Drinks

Espresso drinks were originally drunk hot. Getting a small shot of espresso and sipping it out of a mini cup was the way to go. Today though, espresso served over ice is a new way to consume this beverage. Perfect for hot days, iced espresso can come in a variety of styles whose names are becoming more and more popular. Some variations often seen are iced lattes, Americanos, macchiatos, and mochas.

Nitro Espresso 

Served on tap and with nitrogen, nitro espresso gives the drink an extra depth of flavor. It also gets a distinct head on the top of the drink similar to the way a beer is poured. The U-Line nitro coffee dispenser makes it easy to serve this popular drink. 

Espresso Adult Drinks

A version of serving espresso that has exploded is including it in drinks with alcohol. The combination of caffeine and alcohol gives the drink a little extra kick, perfect for those late night get-togethers.  Drinks we've seen are espresso martinis, the Flying Frenchman, a vodka espresso, and the original espresso adult drink the Irish Coffee. 

Why Synesso Stands Out From The Rest.

The first espresso machine was developed in the 1880's and as time progressed, machines were refined. One thing that hasn't changed with a traditional espresso machine is the need for a skilled barista to create the drink. One thing that has changed for the better is the elimination of extra labor involved in creating an espresso. 

Previously, baristas were required to put pressure on the grounds by pulling on a handle on the machine. Hence the term "a pull of espresso." Today with the Synesso S-Series espresso machine, extracting espresso is much easier, helping serve customers quicker.

With digital shot times and extraction controlled by volumetric programming, automation takes control. It's also possible to program recipes that are used a lot, saving more time and labor. 

We talked to our Chef Howard about the Synesso and also got him to share his favorite iced drink made with the S-Series espresso machine. 

Chef Howard - Synesso Iced Drink

What makes the Synesso S-Series a great addition to a small-to-medium coffee shop?

The Synesso espresso machine looks like no other and can be customized to fit in any decor. This is a high-quality machine with independent brew boilers, easy one-tap controls, cool-to-the-touch steam wands, and programable volumetric recipes that insure consistent pulls. The handheld controller makes it easy to extract the best espresso from your signature grind with custom settings for temperature, pre-infusion time, and water count. Cleaning is easy with an arcade-style button that activates the automatic back-flush.

What's your favorite iced espresso drink?

My favorite is a caramel macchiato. I don’t like my coffee too sweet so I add an extra shot of espresso and limit the caramel to just enough to taste without overpowering the drink.

Curious how a Synesso can help your coffee shop? Take our free Beverage Assessment so one of our expert beverage team members can help guide you, based on your specific challenges and operational needs.

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