This catadito aka Cuban Kitty is the Rad Cat version of a cortadito! A cortadito is Cuban espresso (which has sugar mixed with the espresso just after it is made) with a little milk.
“Cortadito” translates to ‘a cut’. Cuban espresso is cut with milk. Cortaditos are really strong in caffeine and flavor. Even the laziest of cats will be buzzed with caffeine after one of these! Some say it is more potent than cat nip!
In the 1960s, Cuban Americans brought cortaditos to the Miami/Miami Beach area and it is now a part of Florida’s coffee culture. You can get a cortadito at most convenience stores and restaurants.
Our Cuban Kitty has the essence of the traditional cortadito with a twist. I wanted a slightly sweeter version to cut the caffeine just a bit so I added my favorite concoction of honey, vanilla and cinnamon.
I used a very inexpensive Cuban espresso maker. It kind of looks like what transformers would use if they made coffee. See below!
I got my Cuban espresso maker at target for $6.99. I have seen them on occasion at Ross, Tj Max and more. There are plenty online as well. I also used a cheap strainer just to make sure I got any coffee grounds that might have come through the top. I used Rad Cat Coffee Co.’s The Cats Meow coffee for the catatido. The notes of caramel pair perfectly with the cinnamon and honey. It is a must for this recipe!
This recipe is pretty quick and uncomplicated. First you remove the espresso filter and put water in the bottom of the espresso maker. I filled mine up about half way. I didn’t add the full amount of water because I want the espresso to be a bit stronger and less watered down.
Next, get your coffee ready. If you bought whole bean Rad Cat Coffee, grind your coffee beans finely like espresso. If you bought ground then you just put the coffee directly into the filter. Put the filter over the water before filling it with coffee.
Fill up the filter with coffee. Don’t press it down. Lightly run you fingers over the top to get rid of any excess coffee. Then screw the top of the espresso maker on.
Then, lift the lid of the espresso maker and add one tablespoon of honey. Add less honey if you don’t want it to be as sweet. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon of vanilla. Then add your choice of milk. I suggest half and half for a delicious and creamy drink. I used oat milk because it was all I had on hand.
Then, you close the lid to the espresso maker and put it on the stove on high. Be sure to put the espresso maker on the edge of the burner as pictured below.
Watch the espresso maker closely. Once the water starts boiling it comes out the spout in the top. Once it is finished making the espresso pour it carefully into a glass through a strainer.
Then, add whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Your cat will be so jealous!
Recipe - Honey, Cinnamon, Vanilla Catadito - The Cuban Kitty
Time to prepare: 20 minutes
Serving size: One catatido aka Cuban Kitty
Ingredients
-The Cats Meow Coffee from Rad Cat Coffee Co.
-3/4 a cup or so of half and half (Milk will work but it won’t be as creamy)
-1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus some for garnish
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1 tablespoon honey
-whipped cream
Materials
-a Cuban espresso maker (moka pot)
-a strainer
Directions
1. Put room temperature water into the bottom of the Cuban espresso maker. Then put the filter in.
2. Add espresso ground The Cats Meow coffee to the filter. Screw on the top piece.
3. Add the honey, cinnamon, vanilla and half and half to the top. Close the lid.
4. Put the espresso maker on a burner on a stove on high. Once the water boils espresso will come through the spout and into the top.
5. Once it is finished making espresso, turn off the stove and pour the mixture through a strainer into your glass.
6. Add whipped cream and cinnamon to the top.
7. Enjoy it like a cat on a scratching board!
Stay tuned here at Rad Cat Coffee for more Cat-tastic coffee recipes!
Words and photos by Jenn Terrell