by Michael Carlisi, formerly of Adesso, & Luigi Di Ruocco
The corretto is a traditional Italian coffee bar drink where an espresso shot is “corrected” with the addition of spirits. Grappa and amaro are two of the most commonly used. During the heyday of Oakland’s now-closed Adesso (Piedmont Avenue), we teamed with mixologist Michael Carlisi to pay homage to this classic Italian espresso beverage. This version is a nod to the corretto as enjoyed in Southern Italy.
A spin-off of also shuttered, former Piedmont Avenue staple Dopo, Adesso enjoyed a lively run from 2009-2017. Both were founded by Chef Jon Smulewitz and repeatedly appeared on “best of” lists. Dopo closed in 2020 after 17 years. Fortunately, Chef and wife, Katya, continue to serve the East Bay with their newer, casual eatery — Pollara Pizza — leaning toward perfectly executed Roman-style offerings.
RECOMMENDED COFFEE MR. ESPRESSO NEAPOLITAN BLEND
yield: single serving
INGREDIENTS
- 3⁄4 oz. Grappa
- 1⁄4 oz. Sambuca
- 1⁄4 oz. Cointreau
- 1 oz. espresso shot, Neapolitan Blend
- orange peel, twist for garnish
EQUIPMENT
- espresso machine or moka pot
DIRECTIONS
1 – Combine all ingredients in glass of choice.
2 – Garnish with orange twist.