In summer, in the bars of Naples, right next to the scalding-hot espresso sits its indulgent opposite: crema di caffè, a cold, dense, sweet foam you drink with a spoon almost before your lips even touch it. Here’s what it is and how to make it at home.

What it is

It’s a cold, coffee-based cream, whipped with sugar until soft and foamy, often served icy. It’s not ice cream, and it’s not simply iced coffee: it sits somewhere in between, creamy and light. In many bars you’ll find it already made in the cold-drinks display case, in summer.

How it started: whipped cream by hand

The most authentic homemade version starts from the first few drops of espresso (the densest part), whipped vigorously with sugar until you get a light, thick cream. It’s the same principle as the “cremina” Neapolitans spoon on top of espresso.

How to make it at home (with a moka)

  • Brew a strong coffee with the moka.
  • Meanwhile, in a cup, put 2–3 teaspoons of sugar and the very first drops of coffee.
  • Whip with a spoon, fast and for a while, until it turns into a light, thick cream.
  • Fold it into the rest of the coffee, then chill it (in the fridge or with ice) and whip again, or blend it with ice for the foamiest version.

For a more stable, cold cream, many people blend coffee, sugar, and ice together (sometimes with a splash of cream or milk). If you want a delicious little cremina, take a short cup, add two teaspoons of sugar, add just a little coffee at a time, and stir quickly to emulsify it. Afterward, pour the coffee from the moka into a fresh cup and add a bit of the cremina on top. The flavor is out of this world.

Where to find it in Naples

In bars, especially in summer, often labeled “crema di caffè” in the cold-drinks case. → The bars of Naples.

Frequently asked questions

What is crema di caffè? A cold, sweet foam made from coffee, whipped with sugar.

Is it like iced coffee? No: it’s denser and creamier, almost a dessert you drink.

How do you make it at home? By whipping the first drops of espresso with sugar, then chilling it; or by blending coffee, sugar, and ice together.