Caffè Breve

A Caffè Breve is a rich espresso drink made with steamed half-and-half instead of milk, giving it a fuller body and softer finish. It’s simple to make, heavier than a latte, and designed for slow sipping when you want espresso with more depth and texture.

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Ingredients

32 - 36 grams Espresso or Strong Coffee
120 grams grams half-and-half
Optional - A small amount of sugar or simple syrup

Instructions

Brew a double shot of espresso. If you’re working without an espresso machine, the approaches covered in methods to make espresso without a machine will still produce a strong enough base for this drink.
Pour 120 grams of half-and-half into a steaming pitcher. Heat gently to about 60–65°C (140–150°F). Half-and-half scorches faster than milk, so avoid pushing the temperature.
Pour the espresso into a preheated cup.
Slowly add the steamed half-and-half, allowing a light, natural foam to settle on top.
Serve immediately.

Notes

A Lighter Variation

If full half-and-half feels too heavy for regular drinking, a split dairy approach works well:

60 grams whole milk
60 grams light cream

This keeps the character of a breve while easing some of the weight. It’s still richer than milk alone but finishes cleaner and feels more balanced over time.

Low-fat substitutes don’t belong here. Without sufficient fat, the drink loses its defining trait.

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