La Pavoni: coffee conquers new moments of the day, from espresso to cocktails

According to a survey conducted by AstraRicerche for La Pavoni, coffee remains a strong symbol of everyday life in Italy, but is expanding its occasions and ways of consumption by entering the language of daytime, aperitivo and mixology.

A ritual in evolution

For Italians, coffee is much more than a beverage: it is a daily ritual, a moment suspended in time, a shared language that spans generations and, in its simplicity, reflects the identity of a country. Its continuing value as a moment of connection confirms this: for 38,6% of Italians , “having a coffee away from home” primarily means meeting other people and having a chat, demonstrating how deeply rooted this ritual is in our daily lives.

Alongside its social dimension, however, there is also growing curiosity about new ways of consuming it: 41,3% of respondents say they are intrigued by more experimental offerings, such as iced coffee and shaken drinks. The data show that it is not only what is changing, but also “when”: 11,1% imagine consuming coffee-based drinks during aperitivo and 8,6% after dinner. These percentages are still limited, but indicate an evolution under way, which is progressively bringing coffee into new moments of the day, beyond the more traditional occasions for consumption.

From the cup to the glass

Coffee’s ability to conquer new moments of the day goes hand in hand with Italians’ growing desire to experiment with different ways of enjoying it. This openness to experimentation embraces the entire coffee universe: 22,8% of respondents say they are interested in tastings and guided experiences, while 22,7% are curious about specialty coffee. Emerging areas include coffee mixology: cocktails (11,9%) and mocktails (5,8%) made with coffee appeal to still relatively limited audiences, but point to a new direction in consumption. This is where espresso meets contemporary mixology, putting its aromatic complexity at the service of combinations capable of accompanying aperitivo and after-dinner occasions.

Three recipes

La Pavoni interprets this evolution by combining espresso culture, creativity and professional innovation and, together with coffee specialist Nicolò Zorloni, explores its new frontiers through three original recipes, designed to take coffee from the cup to the glass. From tequila and vermouth to orange and lemon juices, coffee meets bold, bitter and citrus notes, becoming the star of drinks capable of renewing the ritual of the break and aperitivo.

The comments

“Coffee is expanding its scope: it is no longer merely part of breakfast or a break, but a raw material capable of accompanying different moments of the day, from aperitivo to after dinner,” says Nicolò Zorloni. “In mixology, this means going beyond the Espresso Martini and working with espresso for what it truly is: an ingredient with extraordinary aromatic complexity, capable of engaging with spirits, vermouth, citrus fruits and non-alcoholic components without losing its identity. Precisely because it becomes part of more complex recipes, precision, extraction consistency and control become essential for transforming a good idea into an experience that is always recognisable.”

“The data clearly describe an important change: coffee is not losing the strength of its ritual, but extending it to new moments, languages and experiences. La Pavoni was founded in the professional segment and, through some of its most iconic models, helped write the history of coffee machines for bars. Today we want to once again become a point of reference for professionals in the sector, continuing this legacy while keeping a close eye on new operational and aesthetic requirements,” says Alessio Pezzoni, CEO of La Pavoni. “Out-of-home consumption is changing in terms of timing, methods and contexts, and the work of the barista is evolving with it. That is why the new La Pavoni machines combine design, technology and quality materials, with the aim of simplifying operations and ensuring precise, consistent results. The concept of ‘Innovation Lab’ marks the beginning of a new course and a medium- to long-term strategy based on research, development and consolidation of the sales and service network, to strengthen La Pavoni’s role in the professional market.”

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.