1. How to Make an Authentic
Cortadito Espresso Drink
2. Cortadito is a Cuban espresso drink
that gives you high levels of caffeine
in a sweet shot of creamed espresso.
This article will show you how you
can make your own cortadito drink in
a few simple steps.
3. To make this drink, you will need the
following:
-percolator (stove top espresso maker)
-coffee beans
-coffee grinder
-sugar
-small bowl and spoon
-water
-coffee cream
4. 1. Fill the espresso maker with water to the
fill line for whatever size espresso maker
you are using for this drink. Place the
filter on top of the water-filled base.
5. 2. Grind fresh coffee beans of your choice.
Darker roast coffee usually has less acidity
than lighter roast coffee and also has a taste
more similar to espresso. However, if you
want a lighter roast coffee for the sake of
flavor, then a light roast coffee will work as
well. You can also choose flavored coffee
beans if you like, but for a more authentic
taste, it would be best to use regular coffee
flavors.
6. You will want to grind the coffee beans finer
rather than coarse so that your coffee flavor
will be stronger and give more of an espresso
taste. By grinding the coffee fresh, the flavor
will be stronger and retain the coffee flavor.
You will need to grind enough coffee to fill
the filter of the espresso maker. Pack the
ground coffee into the filter so that you will
have a stronger espresso.
7. 3. Screw the top of the espresso maker onto the
base and filter to secure the espresso maker
and prepare to brew.
4. Leave the top of the espresso maker opened
so that you can see the spout of the espresso
maker and place on the stove.
8. 5. Turn the stove on high to heat up the water in
the base and begin the brewing process.
6. While the water heats up, quickly put 1/4 -1/2
cups of sugar in the bowl with the spoon easily
accessible (you can add more or less sugar
depending on how sweet you like your
cortadito).
7. Carefully watch the spout of the espresso
maker to wait for the first drops to be brewed.
It is crucial to catch the first couple drops of
espresso. Once the first drops are brewed,
immediately remove the espresso maker from
the heat.
9. 8. Use the first couple of drops of espresso and
pour into the bowl of sugar. You want
enough drops to get 2/3 of the sugar wet,
using less than you would think. Take your
time with this step and after adding a few
drops, stir vigorously to ensure desired
wetness. By removing the espresso maker
from the heat, you give the grounds more
time to "bloom" and give a better overall
flavor. By using the first couple drops, the
sugar will be caramelized to a strong flavor
as well.
10. 9. After ensuring the sugar has enough espresso
to stir to a paste, place the espresso maker
back on the high heat and let the espresso
finish brewing completely. Turn off the stove
as soon as all the espresso has been brewed.
10. While the espresso finishes brewing,
continue to stir the sugar mixture quickly. It
is better to over stir this mixture than to not
stir enough. The finished mixture should
have a gloss and be a very light shade of
brown.
11. 11. When the espresso is finished and the sugar
has been completely caramelized, pour the
espresso on top of the sugar mixture.
12. Gently stir the mixture to ensure no sugar is
stuck to the bottom of the bowl. You should
notice a cap being formed on the top of the
mixture that shows the proper mixture of the
sugar and espresso
13. Add the desired amount of cream to the cups
and pour the espresso and sugar mixture on top
(do not stir). Serve immediately and enjoy!
