This Unbelievably Creamy Drink Is The Best Order For Iced Coffee Lovers In Italy

Any dream vacation can turn into a nightmare in an instant. As exciting as it is to explore a new city or country, disruption from daily norms can have drastic effects on your enjoyment and sanity. You're dealing with new sights, different languages, different time zones, new foods, and lots of things that can throw you off balance. When you're in this situation, it's important to try to stick as closely to your daily routines as you can. Luckily, the one thing you can always rely on to have your back no matter where you are is your daily caffeine fix — unless you're an iced coffee devotee in Italy. 

Unfortunately, one of the few downsides to traveling to Italy is that locals there do coffee a bit differently than what Americans are used to. A popular addition to coffee that tourists should not expect to find in Italy is ice. When it comes to coffee, most Italians value tradition and authenticity above all else, which is why you're not likely to find trendy drinks that you'd have easy access to in the US. However, there are some drinks that come close to the beloved iced coffees many Americans know and love. 

For example, you can try ordering a crema di caffè, or a gelato coffee. It consists of espresso, sugar, and cream that is churned in a machine similar to ones that icees are made in. It's a bit thicker than a normal iced coffee, but not quite as thick as a frappuccino. You can sip on it as you would a normal coffee or you can scoop it up with a spoon. It's sweet and creamy and cold making it the perfect drink for a warm summer day.

Reading up on Italian coffee culture will come in handy on your trip. Where there are places that serve more American-like iced coffees, you should challenge yourself to try something new. After all, drinking coffee like a true Italian local could save you money because most drinks are less than €2 (about $1.14). It is also the most fun way to combat jet lag after landing in Italy, per Rick Steves' guide, and will immerse you in Italian culture right off the bat.

And if you're craving a nice, cold coffee drink, there are plenty of options available. You can try a caffè freddo, which consists of several shots of espresso poured into a glass bottle and stored in a fridge to be served the next day. It usually contains sugar, but you can always ask for yours to come unsweetened. Another great option is a shakerato, the original Italian iced coffee. The barista will add a shot of hot espresso, sugar, and ice into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously before pouring the frothy remains into a martini glass. This is best enjoyed in slow, meaningful sips while people-watching.

The closest you can most likely get to a true American iced coffee in Italy is a caffè in ghiaccio, basically hot espresso shots over ice in an average-size glass. If you want more flavor, ask for a caffè leccesse, which is the same drink with the addition of a sweetened almond syrup. And if you're looking for an extra special treat on a hot summer day, order a granita di caffè. This delicacy is made of frozen coffee scraped into shaved ice, topped with whipped cream, and served with a spoon. It's the best companion for taking in Italy's rich culture.