Sweet of the Week: Espresso Milkshake at Intelligentsia Logan Square

The eternal conundrum for espresso- and coffee-lovers come summer is whether or not to go iced. Personally, I have a hard time drinking iced coffee as a means to satisfy my crippling coffee addiction. As an afternoon treat? Fine. As my morning cup of Joe? Nope. But when the weather is hot and humid, I'm not left with many options. I either sweat it out through my piping hot coffee or slurp an iced coffee and race against the clock before the ice melts and dilutes my drink into a tepid, flavorless mess. Life is hard. But then along comes a treat that perfectly bridges the gap between this rock and a hard place, replacing the problem of rapidly melting ice with pureed ice cream to keep fresh espresso chilled and smooth. I'm talking about the killer espresso milkshake at Intelligentsia Logan Square. 

 

Milkshakes are the perfect vehicle for espresso delivery in the summertime. They retain the heady flavor and body of espresso without overwhelming and burying it, as ice cream by itself tends to do. By pureeing ice cream with espresso and milk, it ensures the temperature isn't so frigid that it nullifies the coffee essence. Instead, you get a creamy, chilly beverage rich with espresso aroma that satisfies the itch for caffeine while also keeping things cool for hotter days. The milkshake is finished off with a healthy dose of whipped cream and a dusting of espresso powder.

- Matt Kirouac