Flat White Cocktail: All About Australia’s Coffee-Based Cocktail
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Originating from Australia, the Flat White is more than just some type of coffee; it is a representation of coffee culture in the country. While the topic is a hotly debated one amongst Australians and New Zealanders – both of whom claim to have invented this unique beverage,

its evolution into a cocktail has sparked a new trend in mixology circles. Emerging in the 1980s or earlier, the beverage is believed to have been discovered after the Second World War, when Italian immigrants moved to Australia and upgraded the coffee culture. This new and improved influence led to the birth of the Flat White in either Sydney or Melbourne, while some others believe that the Flat White was born in the early 90s in Wellington, New Zealand.

When Australian cafes began to open doors in the UK during the 2000s, the Flat White was acknowledged by coffee lovers and soon enough made its way to the US, where it merged with an already-booming coffee culture. Crafted by pouring velvety micro-foam over a double shot of espresso, the flat white has a smooth, creamy texture that accentuates the rich coffee flavour without the froth of a cappuccino or density of a latte.

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The Birth Of A Coffee Cocktail

The transition of the Flat White being a caffeine fix to a fun cocktail took place when bartender Dick Bradsell created the Espresso Martini which took the London party scene by storm in 1983. This trend of mixing coffee-based beverages with alcohol to create infusions that instantly perk up one’s senses while also putting nerves at ease was an evolution that fused two worlds, bringing together the robustness of coffee with the elegance of mixology, The addition of Irish Cream Liqueur made the flat white cocktail a regular feature on bar menus worldwide.

How To Craft The Perfect Flat White Cocktail

Ingredients

  • 2 shots espresso
  • 60ml Irish cream liqueur
  • Ice cubes
  • Cocktail shaker

Recipe

  • Brew two shots of espresso and bring to room temperature.
  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and pour the cooled espresso over the ice in the shaker.
  • Add the Irish cream liqueur to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.
  • Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass and serve up immediately.