Caffè Mexico, Naples, Italy

Caffè Mexico, Naples, Italy

I always say I only drink coffee in Italy. That's a lie. I also drink coffee when I'm in France. That's a lie, too, or at least an exaggeration, but it makes for an amusing anecdote.

But, the fact is, I don't especially care for coffee in America. The fancy lattes and frappecinos and vente this or this with the fake Italian names and exorbitant prices in monster-sized cups do nothing for me. A simple espresso for one Euro at the corner caffe in any town in Italy is more my speed.

Hard at work, Caffè Mexico, Naples, Italy

So, when a friend took us to where he said they make the best espresso in Italy, I was excited and skeptical. After all, Italy is known for its coffee making prowess, how could some spot in Naples have the best?

Turns out, he was right.

Caffè Mexico, Naples, Italy

Caffè Mexico in Naples gets called a tourist trap by some because Rick Steves featured it in his guidebook. True, you'll find some tourists here, but it is also filled with locals getting a caffeinated start to their day. In fact, other than us, I didn't see any tourists there when we got our jolt of espresso. Not that tourists wear signs identifying themselves, but let's just say I was the only person with a camera around his neck.

The folks at Caffè Mexico take their coffee very seriously. Our server was an apprentice at the shop. He had worked their for seven years and was still a year or two away from being able to touch the espresso machine. He was only allowed to serve the coffee, not make it. The two gentlemen behind the counter making the espresso had 25 years experience each, according to our friend. 

Not happy I took his picture, but with 25 years experience, he can scowl at me if he likes

What makes the espresso at Caffè Mexico so special is how it is sweetened. The ceramic cups are placed on a tray in a how water bath to warm them. Then, they are removed and without drying the cups, a spoonful of sugar is placed inside. The heat from the cup and residual warm water allows the sugar to crystallize and caramelize, adding a fantastic sweetness when the espresso is added.

Cups coming out their water bath, ready for sugar caramelization

Perhaps other coffee bars in Italy use this same method, but this is the first and only place I have seen it done so far. 

Note the sugar crystallized around the inside of the cup

If you don't like you espresso sweetened, you can ask for it "Amaro" or bitter, but in my mind the whole point of getting an espresso at Caffè Mexico is experiencing the sweetness of the sugar after it has been caramelized in the cup.

If you go: Caffè Mexico is at Piazza Dante 86 in Naples. There is a second location at Piazza Garibaldi 72. There is no seating but you can stand at the bar and drink your cup.