“We set out to translate the viral allure of Dubai Chocolate into the perfect pour. We knew we wanted to reimagine it in the style of an einspänner, but served over ice to complement the summer heat.” — Luigi Di Ruocco, co-owner of The Caffè by Mr. Espresso
The Creative Process Behind the Dubai Chocolate Einspänner
Barista magazine caught up with Luigi Di Ruocco at The Caffè by Mr. Espresso to explore the creative process behind his popular Dubai Chocolate Einspänner. Luigi requires every drink on the menu to be delicious, visually striking, simple to execute, and entirely unique.
To celebrate The Caffè’s second anniversary last year, he set out to translate the viral allure of Dubai chocolate into the perfect pour. He chose the style of an einspänner, serving it over ice to complement the summer heat. “The flavor combination of chocolate and pistachio is right in our comfort zone,” he says, though it required rigorous testing and iteration to dial in the final recipe.
Luigi started with The Caffè’s signature mocha sauce, doubling the amount to intensify the chocolate, then developed a house-made whipped cream using Valrhona Pistachio Praliné to crown the drink. Toasted kataifi and crushed pistachios deliver a multi-textured finish. The contrast between the strong espresso and the creamy topping makes the beverage simultaneously bold and luxurious. Because it is served unstirred, you experience the rich bitterness of the coffee through the sweet pistachio cream with every sip.
See other unique drink offerings from The Caffè here.