The Cuban Cafecito We Serve at Tampa Events (and How to Make It at Home)
Tampa’s coffee story runs through Ybor City, and Cuban coffee is part of it. That’s why our Cuban Coffee & Evening Bar is one of our favorite menus to serve at weddings, dessert tables, galas and late-night receptions. Here’s what’s on it, and how guests can make a cafecito at home after the party.
What we pour at events
Cafecito – bold, sweet Cuban-style espresso with whipped espumita
Cortadito – a cafecito “cut” with steamed milk
Café con leche – espresso with hot steamed milk, sweetened with sugar and a splash of sweetened condensed milk
Colada – a shareable cafecito served with small cups for the table
Affogato – hot espresso over gelato from Duomo, a local Tampa gelateria
Decaf on request – every espresso drink can be made decaf for evening guests
Matt and Nataly trained as baristas in Florence, Italy, and we bring that same care to every cafecito, whipped by hand at the cart. See the Cuban coffee cart or request a quote.
Pulling shots at LeBlanc Venue in Ybor City. A big thank-you to our friend Jessy and her beautiful space.
Making a cafecito at home
Guests often ask what coffee we use. It’s our Brazil & Colombia Blend, our Classic Cuban Roast: medium-dark, with dark cocoa and caramel notes.
Use coffee ground fine for espresso or a moka pot.
Brew in a stovetop moka pot or espresso machine.
Add sugar to a small cup: 1–3 teaspoons, based on your preference. If you’re used to making it with grocery store coffee, you can use less sugar than you typically would.
Pour the first few drops of coffee over the sugar and whip until pale and thick. That’s the espumita.
Stir in the rest of the coffee and serve in small cups. For a colada, make a bigger pot and pass little cups around.
For a cortadito, add about as much steamed milk as coffee. For café con leche, use a bigger cup and more milk, and sweeten it with sugar and sweetened condensed milk.
Bring the Cuban coffee bar to your event
If you’d like cafecitos and coladas at your wedding, gala or office celebration anywhere in Tampa Bay, tell us about your event.