History
Bicerin evolved from the 18th-century bavareisa, a fashionable mix of coffee, chocolate, milk and syrup served in large glasses. By the early 19th century three variants existed: pur e fiur (coffee and milk), pur e barba (coffee and chocolate) and 'n poc 'd tut (a little of everything). The third won, taking its name from the small handle-less bicerin glass. The recipe at Caffe Al Bicerin remains a contractually-guarded secret in 2026.
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Common allergens: Milk
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 120 ml hot espresso, freshly pulled
- 120 ml dark hot chocolate (70 percent cocoa), thick
- 120 ml fior di latte cream (single cream, lightly whipped to ribbon stage)
- Cocoa powder, optional, for dusting
Method
- Warm two small glass cups in hot water and dry them.
- Pour the hot dark chocolate first, filling each glass a third of the way.
- Pour the espresso slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the chocolate to keep the layers separate.
- Top with the lightly whipped fior di latte to fill the glass; do not stir.
- Serve immediately with a small spoon and no sugar; the chocolate already provides it.
Tip from the editors. The trick is layer discipline: cold cream sits on hot espresso only if poured very slowly and the espresso is fully covered.
Where to eat bicerin
Bicerin in Turin
Caffe Al Bicerin ★ 4.7
Caffe Al Bicerin in Turin has poured coffee since 1763 and roasts its blend in-house. The bicerin coffee-and-chocolate ritual is the morning institution.
BeansSouth America blend, Espresso blend
BrewsEspresso, Bicerin
Caffe Baratti & Milano ★ 4.2
Baratti & Milano on Piazza Castello in Turin is the all-day cafe option: bicerin, cornetto, savoury tartine and a gianduiotto on the saucer in the Liberty.
OrderBicerin, cornetto, gianduiotto on the saucer
Caffe Platti 1875 ★ 4.4
Caffe Platti on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II in Turin opened in 1875. Luigi Einaudi and Pavese drank coffee here; Juventus was founded on a bench out front.
DrinkEspresso and bicerin
More cities are in research. Want bicerin covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.