Bartender's Choice Alex Galantino, La Bottega Milanese

Where the stars behind the bars reveal their favourite drinks - this fortnight, the Caffé Shakerato

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Bartender's Choice: Alex Galantino, La Bottega Milanese

The next sentence might surprise regular readers of this column. One of the classiest cocktails you can buy in this city does not actually contain any alcohol. Really. And here’s another pleasant surprise: it comes at a bargain price. The drink that has so wowed us is called the Caffé Shakerato, and it’s just been launched at the excellent La Bottega Milanese café on The Calls, which opened a few months ago next-door to Aire Bar.

“I want to promote the aperitivo culture in Leeds,” says Alex, La Bottega’s owner. “It is used so much in Italy, if anything even just for business people to meet and network in the same place. You go in there and get someone shaking you a drink, have some nibbles like olives, bruschetta and focaccia. It’s so sophisticated and it’s so full of life – and it needs to be done here in Leeds.”

Which is where the fantastic Shakerato comes in. It’s one of the drinks Alex has launched at La Bottega as a little taster to introduce the sociable aperitivo culture to the people of Leeds. As you stand in La Bottega, swirling the drink around inside the glass, enjoying a bit of banter or simply just people-watching, it certainly looks the part. The Shakerato is so damn stylish it’s one of those drinks that doesn’t need a fancy garnish or over-the-top decoration: it oozes class just how it is, served straight, without any adornment.

But of course, although a drink might look stylish, the proof is in the tasting. And the Shakerato delivers on flavour. It’s not a sweet drink, thanks to those slightly bitter espresso undertones, making it a great option for coffee and espresso fans in the summer months. Alex also points out that there are variants of the drink served at licensed bars in Italy where a shot of brandy, Advocaat or another kind of liqueur is included in the mix.

“The proper Milanese way of serving this is in a champagne flute or a Martini glass,” he says. “When you do that, you do it without ice. And then there’s the second way, for people who prefer it, which is what I’ve done here. I quite like to make it a longer drink and just sip it away. Basically, by shaking quite vigorously the ice against the coffee, you get some of the oils released and they interact with the ice and they create a froth, and this is it. And we can sometimes sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon on the top.”

Would Alex drink this with food? “In Italy this would be served after food, almost as a dessert. Personally I would drink it after, as a dessert in itself; I don’t like to mix it with anything. But because it’s cold, it does also lend itself well to having it with food.”

Alex’s passion for bringing Milanese café culture to Leeds, and his knowledge of Italian food and drink, certainly marks out La Bottega as one to watch. “I’m not doing anything clever,” he insists. “I’m just transporting the traditions, the authenticity – and with certain things I add my twist.”

Drink: Caffé Shakerato

Price: £2

Ingredients: 1 shot espresso; 1 shot liquid sugar; vanilla or caramel syrup (or liqueur); 5 or 6 ice cubes; sprinkling of cinnamon powder (optional)

Posted on Wednesday 21st July 2010
SO'H

La Bottega Milanese

32 The Calls, Leeds, LS2 7EW

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