CAFFE Nero has rolled out its summer menu for 2024 including four new drinks and an indulgent sweet treat based on an Italian favourite.
Fans of the high street coffee chain can expect a slice of Italy in the UK with plenty of sugary snacks and iced beverages to enjoy.
Headlining the trio of new bakery sweet treats in the line-up is the Maritozzi Bun, described as the “star of Italian breakfasts”.
The sugary snack seems to be popular at the moment thanks to Google searches for ‘Italian Cream Bun’ up 450 percent since this time last year.
The bun, which takes its name from the Italian for “almost-husband” as men would traditionally gift them to their fiancées, is one of the UK’s latest viral food trends.
Videos on TikTok have shown Londoners enjoying them from local Italian bakeries.
Caffè Nero version of the Rome delicacy consists of soft sourdough brioche – made using a sourdough that is over 35 years old and proved for more than eight hours – infused with lemon and orange.
The bun is then filled with a light sweetened cream and finished with a dusting of icing sugar.
The coffee chain say the indulgent but light bun was typically eaten for breakfast, and pairs beautifully with a coffee for a morning or mid-afternoon burst of energy.
Another newcomer to the menu is the Italian Blueberry Mousse Cake, which features “zingy sponge” sandwiched between layers of light blueberry mousse and white chocolate crispy balls, topped with fruity jelly and blueberries.
Rounding out the sweet trio is the Sicilian Lemon Meringue Cheesecake comprising layers of creamy lemon cheesecake with a zesty tier of Sicilian lemon curd on a crunchy biscuit base, topped with fluffy Italian meringue.
You can also wash down the tasty treats with some of Caffè Nero’s refreshing new beverages.
The Iced Velvet Americano Range sees your espresso of choice carefully aerated and sweetened with honey or vanilla and served over ice.
Those who prefer a fruity beverage can instead cool down with the new Spritz range.
Flavoured with either Alphonso Mango, Sicilian Lemon or Italian Peach, each sip is a one-way ticket to the Mediterranean.
All new menu items will be available from May 16.
Will Stratton-Morris, CEO at Caffè Nero UK said: “The launch of our Italian inspired menu really does signal the launch of summer in the UK.
“It provides the same premium experience as our coffee, and as temperatures finally rise, we’re looking forward to giving customers a summer dining experience that feels fresh, yet classically ‘Nero.
“You won’t believe how light and delicious the Maritozzi Bun is, and our drinks range infuses our much-loved classic drinks with a burst of summer.
“The silky texture of the Velvet Iced Americanos, and the Italian Spritzes perfectly match the summer mood and offer relief under the scorching sun.
WHEN prices are on the up, bagging a freebie or two is more important than ever.
Savings can really add up, but make sure you aren’t tempted to spend more than you intended in the first place to land the free drink.
At Costa Coffee you can get a free coffee after buying ten via its loyalty scheme
You can also get an extra stamp for a reusable cup, meaning you get one quicker.
Stamps can be collected in any of the chain’s 2,800 coffee shops, as well as around 12,000 machines in petrol stations and convenience stores.
At Caffe Nero, if you get your coffee in a reusable cup – you’ll get a free one after buying five.
Every drink gets you a reward stamp in your Caffe Nero app. Every nine stamps is a free drink. You get an extra one if you bring your own cup.
Rewards schemes offered by energy, mobile and telly providers like Octopus, Vodafone and Sky often offer free drinks at coffee shops or free food at places such as Greggs.
These deals can change regularly so it’s always worth checking back to see what’s available.
Usually these deals can be found on their respective apps, where you can then find a code to use when you pay.
Meanwhile, retailers Ikea and Waitrose both offer loyalty scheme customers free hot drinks.
Waitrose customers have to sign up to its myWaitrose scheme first, then buy an item in-store to claim the freebie.
Plus, you can only get free americanos, cappuccinos, lattes or teas.
Ikea customers signed up to its Ikea Family scheme can get free hot drinks between Monday and Friday.
Both retailers’ loyalty schemes can be downloaded on to your smart phone via Google Play or the Apple App Store.
At Wetherspoons you can get free refills.
Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get it topped up without spending a penny. The deal is available all day, every day.
“The drinks build on the vast success and popularity of our coffee-over-ice range; we’ve seen a huge rise in customers opting for iced drinks all year round.
“But in summer especially, they provide that much-needed hit of refreshment, flying us to sunnier climes without boarding a plane.”
It comes after a much loved Caffè Nero is being forced to shut down its site inside a legendary department store.
House of Fraser announced that it’s popular hub in one city centre will be closed by the end of May.
And while shoppers were disappointed with the move, others are very upset at the news that their favourite coffee stop inside will also close.
