You can make iced Americano, iced cappuccino, affogato and dirty coffee with espresso from Meraki. The difference is what you add after brewing: water, milk, cold foam or ice cream. These four recipes use measured starting points so you can adjust the finished drink without changing several variables at once.
Here, one espresso portion means approximately 36–40 g of brewed coffee from a recipe that already tastes balanced with your beans. It does not prescribe a particular basket dose. Use a dose suited to your basket and keep your usual espresso recipe while trying the drinks.
1. Iced Americano: Espresso, Cold Water and Ice
Start here if you want a longer drink that keeps the flavor of the espresso without milk. Add water gradually if you prefer a lighter cup.
Ingredients for One Drink
- 36–40 g freshly brewed espresso.
- 120 ml cold drinking water, plus more to taste.
- Approximately 100 g ice.
- A glass with about 350 ml capacity.
Method
- Put the ice in the glass and add the cold water.
- Brew the espresso into a separate cup.
- Pour the espresso over the water and ice.
- Stir, taste and add a little more water if needed.
Adjustment: If the drink tastes thin, use less water next time. If the espresso itself tastes sharply sour or harshly bitter before dilution, address the shot rather than trying to solve it with ice.
2. Iced Cappuccino: Cold Milk with a Foam Topping
This is a chilled interpretation of a cappuccino. A cold frother or French press creates the foam; the machine’s steam wand heats milk and is not a cold-frothing tool.
Ingredients for One Drink
- 36–40 g espresso.
- 100 ml cold milk for the drink.
- 50 ml additional cold milk for frothing.
- Approximately 80 g ice.
- A glass with about 350 ml capacity.
Method
- Brew the espresso and set it aside briefly while preparing the milk.
- Froth the separate 50 ml portion of cold milk with a cold frother or a clean French press. Leave room for expansion.
- Place the ice and 100 ml cold milk in the glass, then add the espresso.
- Spoon the cold foam over the drink and serve immediately.
Adjustment: Foam varies with the milk and tool. For a plant-based option, try a milk formulated for coffee and judge both texture and taste.
3. Affogato: Hot Espresso over Ice Cream
Affogato works best when assembled just before eating. The contrast between hot espresso and frozen ice cream is part of the dessert.
Ingredients for One Serving
- One or two small scoops of vanilla gelato or ice cream, approximately 60–90 g.
- 30–40 g freshly brewed espresso.
- A small bowl or heat-safe dessert glass.
Method
- Scoop the gelato or ice cream into the serving dish.
- Brew the espresso into a separate cup.
- Pour it over the ice cream immediately and serve with a spoon.
Adjustment: Begin with less espresso if you want a firmer dessert. Add more at the table if you prefer a looser mixture and a stronger coffee flavor.
4. Dirty Coffee: Espresso Layered over Cold Milk
Dirty coffee combines hot espresso with cold milk, usually without a thick foam topping. A chilled glass and milk help preserve the temperature contrast while you assemble the drink.
Ingredients for One Drink
- 90–120 ml well-chilled milk.
- 30–40 g freshly brewed espresso.
- A heat-safe glass with about 200–250 ml capacity, chilled before use.
Method
- Pour the cold milk into the glass.
- Brew the espresso separately.
- Pour the espresso gently over the milk, close to the surface, and serve immediately.
- Take the first sip before stirring if you want to taste the contrast between the layers.
Adjustment: A distinct layer may not last, and its appearance depends on the pour and ingredients. Use less milk for a stronger coffee presence, or stir for a more uniform drink.
Keep the Espresso Constant While You Compare
The Meraki espresso machine’s built-in grinder and scales bring grinding and measurement into the same setup. For these recipes, first keep the beans, dose and espresso yield consistent. Then adjust the water, milk or ice cream to suit your taste.
Clean the portafilter and other coffee-contact parts after preparation, and follow the machine’s instructions for its cleaning and descaling schedule. For model-specific questions, use the Meraki setup and maintenance FAQ.
For another style of drink, the coffee recipe collection provides more ideas. Record the version you enjoy so the next cup starts from a recipe rather than a guess.
