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Espresso con panna is one of those small but mighty coffee drinks that feels like a little luxury in the middle of a busy day. It’s simply a shot of strong espresso topped with a cloud of lightly sweetened whipped cream, but the flavor and texture make it taste like something straight from a cozy Italian café or the Starbucks secret menu.
At home, you can easily recreate that Starbucks aesthetic and iced coffee aesthetic energywithout waiting in line or paying coffee shop prices. This version uses a rich espresso base and fresh whipped cream so you can customize sweetness, strength, and portion size to fit your own routine of healthy Starbucks drinks and starbucks drinks recipes.
Table of Contents
What Is Espresso Con Panna?
Espresso con panna literally means “espresso with cream” in Italian. It’s traditionally served in a small demitasse cup with fresh whipped cream spooned on top of a hot shot of espresso.
If you already love starbucks drinks or Starbucks Frappuccino orders, this drink feels like the more grown‑up, minimalist cousin short, intense, and beautifully layered. It’s also a fun option if you enjoy trying Starbucks orders to try, cold Starbucks drinks, or exploring secret Starbucks recipes you can easily adapt at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make this simple yet indulgent espresso drink.
Ingredient List
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso shot | 1 shot (about 1 oz) | Use a pod machine, espresso machine, or strong coffee |
| Double cream (heavy cream) | 4 tbsp | Whipped to stiff peaks |
| Sugar or honey (optional) | To taste | Sweeten the cream or the espresso |
| Hot water (if needed) | A splash | For adjusting strength or length of the shot |
You can use espresso pods if you have a pod coffee machine, or brew a strong espresso shot with your favorite beans.
Helpful Equipment (With Affiliate Links)
Having the right equipment makes it easier to recreate that coffeehouse‑style drink at home and keep your starbucks drinks recipes consistent:
- Air fryer – Great if you want to pair your espresso with quick pastries or breakfast sides: Air Fryer
- Thermomix – For multi‑tasking mornings where you blend sauces, doughs, or syrups while your coffee brews: Thermomix
- Oven – Ideal for baking cookies or biscotti to serve with espresso con panna: Oven
- Electric mixer – Makes whipping cream fast and effortless for that perfect con panna topping: Electric mixer
- Food processor – Great for grinding nuts or making biscuit crumbs to sprinkle over your cream: Food processor
- Pots – Use to simmer homemade syrups or warm milk if you want to turn this into a longer drink: Pots
- Frying pans – Perfect for toasting nuts or spices to garnish your drink: Frying pans
- Kitchen utensils – Spoons, spatulas, and whisks keep everything easy and tidy while you prep: Kitchen utensils
- Cutting board – Handy if you’re slicing garnishes like citrus zest or chocolate: Cutting board
- Chef’s knives – Ideal for finely shaving chocolate or zesting citrus for pretty drink toppings: Chef’s knives
- Measuring cups and spoons set – Essential for consistent cream, sweetener, and espresso ratios: Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls – Perfect for whipping cream to stiff peaks: Mixing bowls
- Blender – Can be used to create flavored cream or blended iced versions inspired by Starbucks Frappuccino orders: Blender
- Baking sheets – Use to bake cookies or pastries to serve with your drink: Baking sheets
- Electric can opener – Helpful if you’re opening canned milks or toppings: Electric can opener
- Colander strainer basket – Useful when rinsing fruit or garnishes to serve on the side: Colander strainer basket
- Peeler – Great for making chocolate curls or citrus ribbons for garnish: Peeler
- Meat tenderizer – Can be used as a gentle tamp if you’re improvising with espresso grounds: Meat tenderizer
- Garlic press – Works surprisingly well to drizzle small amounts of syrup or sauce in a thin stream: Garlic press
- Rolling pin – Perfect for crushing cookies or sugar cubes as a topping: Rolling pin
- Steamer insert – Ideal for steaming sides or warming milk for other starbucks drinks recipes: Steamer insert
- Kitchen scale – Helps you dial in exact coffee and cream ratios for repeatable results: Kitchen scale
Step‑By‑Step Instructions
1. Whip the Cream
- Add the double cream to a chilled mixing bowl.
- Using an electric mixer or a whisk, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
- Be careful not to over‑whip; you want the cream firm but still smooth enough to melt gently into the hot espresso.
If you like your starbucks drinks slightly sweet, you can add a teaspoon of sugar or honey to the cream while whipping.
2. Brew the Espresso
- Choose your favorite small espresso or demitasse cup.
- Brew a fresh shot of espresso into the cup using your preferred method.
- If you want a stronger flavor (similar to some bold Starbucks orders to try), pull a double shot.
You can sweeten the espresso directly with sugar or honey if you prefer a more dessert‑like drink that resembles cold Starbucks drinks or Starbucks secret menu drinks.
3. Build the Espresso Con Panna
- Spoon a generous dollop of whipped cream over the hot espresso.
- Aim to fully cover the top so you get that layered, coffee‑meets‑cream Starbucks aesthetic.
- Serve immediately so the cream slowly softens while the espresso is still hot.
Sip the espresso through the cream for a bold coffee hit with a silky finish, or gently stir to create a creamy, milky coffee vibe similar to your favorite starbucks drinks recipes.
Tips for the Best Espresso Con Panna
- Use very cold cream: It whips faster and holds its shape better.
- Chill the bowl and whisk: Especially helpful if your kitchen is warm.
- Don’t over‑whip: Over‑whipped cream can separate and won’t melt smoothly over the espresso.
- Customize sweetness: For healthier Starbucks drinks vibes, lightly sweeten or skip sugar entirely.
- Add garnishes: Top with cocoa powder, shaved chocolate, or cinnamon for an elevated pretty drink look that feels right at home on Pinterest.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Vanilla Espresso Con Panna: Add a few drops of vanilla extract to the cream.
- Mocha Con Panna: Dust cocoa powder over the top or add a bit of chocolate syrup to the espresso.
- Caramel Espresso Con Panna: Drizzle caramel sauce over the whipped cream for a dessert‑like twist.
- Holiday Spice Con Panna: Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice over the top for a seasonal take that fits perfectly with your Starbucks secret menu drinks inspiration board.
These variations are ideal if you love collecting new Starbucks orders to try and secret Starbucks recipes while still keeping things simple at home.
FAQ: Espresso Con Panna
What does espresso con panna taste like?
It tastes like a strong, concentrated espresso shot balanced by cool, rich whipped cream on top. The cream softens the bitterness while keeping the drink compact and flavorful.
Is espresso con panna a Starbucks drink?
Many coffee shops, including Starbucks, offer similar espresso‑and‑cream drinks. Making it at home lets you control sweetness and quality while still enjoying the Starbucks aesthetic.
Can I make this dairy‑free?
Yes. Use a high‑fat, dairy‑free whipping cream alternative and brew your usual espresso. The texture may vary slightly, but it still makes a decadent treat inspired by healthy Starbucks drinks.
Can I serve espresso con panna iced?
For an iced, iced coffee aesthetic twist, chill the espresso, serve it in a small glass with ice, and top with whipped cream. It’s a fun mini version of iced cold Starbucks drinks.
How can I make it look “Pinterest‑pretty”?
Use a small clear glass or short cup, pile the whipped cream high, and sprinkle cocoa or chocolate curls on top. It instantly gives you that pretty drink vibe you see in Starbucks drinks recipes boards.
Espresso Con Panna Starbucks Style: Creamy Coffee Treat in Minutes
A rich Italian-style espresso con panna: hot espresso topped with cool, lightly sweetened whipped cream for a coffeehouse treat at home.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Drinks
- Method: No-Cook, Stovetop, Espresso
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
1–2 shots freshly brewed espresso
4 tbsp double cream (heavy cream)
1–2 tsp sugar or honey (optional, to taste)
Optional flavor extract such as vanilla or caramel
Instructions
1. Whip the cold double cream in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form, being careful not to over-whip.
2. Taste the cream and, if desired, add sugar or honey, then whip briefly to combine.
3. Brew 1–2 shots of espresso into a small cup.
4. Sweeten the hot espresso with sugar or honey if you prefer a sweeter drink.
5. Spoon a generous dollop of whipped cream over the hot espresso so it fully covers the surface.
6. Serve immediately and either sip the espresso through the cream or gently stir to combine.
Notes
For a stronger flavor, use a double shot of espresso.
Chill the bowl and whisk before whipping the cream for best results.
Add vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut extract to the cream for fun flavor variations.
Top with cocoa powder, shaved chocolate, or cinnamon for a coffeehouse-style presentation.