If there’s time you can’t decide between a cup of coffee and hot chocolate, you might consider this beverage as an option. What is it exactly? It’s freshly brewed espresso diluted with milk and water, lightly sweetened, and with added cocoa. Barbagliata can be served hot during winter, or chilled and poured over ice during hot summer days. But either way, I recommend serving it with cocoa nib-infused whipped cream; it makes a world’s difference.
I would say it serves 4, quite generously
For the barbagliata:
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar or more to taste
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 cup freshly brewed espresso
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup water
For the nib-infused cream:
- ½ cup whipping cream
- 2 tbsp cocoa nibs
- 1 tsp confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- Grated chocolate for sprinkling (optional)
Make the whipped cream:
Before whipping, the cream has to be chilled well. So, plan ahead.
Put the cream and nibs into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain the cream, discard the nibs. Once cool, cover and refrigerate the cream until cold.
Close to the serving time, whip the cream with the confectioners’ sugar until stiff peaks form. Top the coffee with it.
Make the barbagliata:
Place the sugar and cocoa powder in a heavy medium saucepan. Pour the hot espresso over and whisk to dissolve the sugar. Add the milk and water. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until a foam forms and the beverage is hot, about 8 minutes. Pour into tall mugs and top with the nib-infused whipped cream. Serve.
November 10, 2009 at 12:18 pm
The spoon! Too cute. The drink looks delicious.
November 6, 2009 at 11:09 am
sounds so amazingly cozy for a winter afternoon
February 12, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Ana, thank you! Are you serious about “before sleep”? It contains plenty of caffeine :)
February 12, 2009 at 1:00 am
Hummmmm!!!! delicious drink before go to sleep…
February 9, 2009 at 11:06 pm
April, I hope you will like it :)
February 9, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I’m going to make this tonight for my evening coffee & dessert treat! Can’t wait!
February 8, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Thank you, everybody, for the comments! I appreciate it greatly!
Stephanie, thank you for the link. If you ever need any help with your Russian, don’t hesitate to contact me :) It was such a pleasant surprise :)
February 7, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Изумительный!
I’m learning Russian, so I decided to practice =)
PS: I’m adding you to my blogroll. Your site is incredible!
February 7, 2009 at 5:33 pm
that’s what i need right now!
February 7, 2009 at 4:35 pm
mmm..this sounds like the perfect drink to me!
I love the spoon!
February 7, 2009 at 10:58 am
Nearly ran to the kitchen to make this…nearly…but I already made myself a pot of rooibos tea and I’ll have to go to sleep in 2.5 hours ;)
Will definitely try this!
February 7, 2009 at 6:37 am
that’s the coolest spoon! and as a coffee lover (and addict), i think this drink sounds phenomenal!
February 7, 2009 at 5:20 am
Cocoa nib-infused whipped cream is a great idea!!And iced for summer is just perfect!! Beautiful glass cup and spoon!!
February 6, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Ooh never heard of this before. It’s uncharacteristically warm for Chicago today but I could still go for a hot mug of this.
February 6, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Fantastic drink. This will be our favorite drink from now on.
Cheers,
Elra
February 6, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Beautiful! That is something my fiance could really get behind! (maybe with a little Baileys if we were feeling dangerous?)
February 6, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Looks so rich and silky smooth. I love your photos! And, the spoon is fantastic.
February 6, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I love the added touch with the bent spoon. Very pretty.
February 6, 2009 at 10:40 am
This looks like a perfect mood enhancer! I think I’ll go make one now.
Thanks for the recipe
Kate
February 6, 2009 at 10:01 am
Looks fantastic!
February 6, 2009 at 9:14 am
This looks so good… I really need to get some clear glass mugs to serve drinks like this in.
February 6, 2009 at 6:04 am
My husband is a huge coffee fan, though he’s switched to decaf, I think he’d enjoy this if I made it for Valentine’s Day :).
February 6, 2009 at 4:50 am
A perfect combination! And I love the spoon!
February 6, 2009 at 3:38 am
That sounds so fantastic — especially on a cold, cold day like today!
February 6, 2009 at 1:17 am
Love the idea of the cocoa nib cream! :)
February 5, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Ha the name made me think of somthing else since here we have a dish called barbugliata and it consists of tomatoes and onions basically :)
February 5, 2009 at 11:18 pm
this looks so good! yumy i love chocolate and coffee so much Have to try this cold too must be amazing.
February 5, 2009 at 10:27 pm
My perfect drink! I love that spoon!
February 5, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Oh, that’s a delicious drink! I love your pictures…
Cheers,
Rosa