Stimulant choices

Are you sleepy too? You look tired. I know I need a pick-me-up.

Can I make some for you too? Something to jolt us out of this inertia? I think yes.


Here, sit. You can have the paper first. Read, relax - put your feet up while I make us some coffee. But not just regular joe.
I was thinking something a little more upscale. Yes?

Image copyright Tipi d'aMare



I have three kinds of custom espresso in mind.
I'll tell you the recipe for each and then you tell me which one you'll be having.
Let's begin with something classic.

Image copyright Giardino dei Ciliegi

Orange-flavored Espresso
Delicious aromatic after dinner coffee

• 4-6 large cups of strong espresso
• The rind of 2 unwaxed oranges, white pith removed (turns everything bitter otherwise)
• 1 cinnamon stick
  
• Sugar to taste
• Milk
  

Steep the orange rinds and the cinnamon in the hot coffee for 5 minutes, then discard. Pour through a cheesecloth and serve in tall mugs, stained with just a droplet of milk, and sweetened with a suspicion of sugar.

OR...

Image copyright Pastry Chef Online

Caffè della Pampa
Droolworthy caramel cream coffee
Generally used as a base for desserts in Argentina, dulce de leche lends coffee a sweet, almost sensual flavor.

• 500 ml (2 cups) boiling hot espresso (not too strong)
• 50 ml (1/4 cup) dulce de leche (can be found in specialty stores or home made with this online recipe)
• Milk or cream

Divvy up the coffee in 2-3 large teacups. Add a tablespoon of dulce de leche to each and stir until completely dissolved. Add milk or cream and sit down in comfortable chairs, Carlos Gardel playing loud.

...OR

Nocciolato
Choco/hazelnut coffee
Not your everyday moka. Beyond decadent.

• 500 ml (2 cups) piping hot, weak espresso (made by adding more water in the making)
• 50 ml (1/4 cup) hazelnut liqueur (like Frangelico)
• 50 gr (1/4 cup) Nutella (or any hazelnut-chocolate spread)
• Sugar to taste
• Cream

Whip the cream with an electric beater until quite stiff and refrigerate. Divvy up the coffee in 2-3 large teacups. Add a shot of Frangelico and 1 heaped tablespoon of Nutella to each, stirring carefully - scraping the sides of the cups - until completely dissolved. Sweeten to your taste (no need, really) and garnish each cup with a dollop of whipped cream.

Which is YOUR favorite?