Drizzle, glaze but most importantly, shake. Coffee syrup: a little known delicacy to most, yet a staple of Rhode Island childhoods. Made from cocktail-shaking the sugary-sweet syrup with a glass of chilled milk, the mixture called—you guessed it—“coffee milk” is so classic a RI fare that it earned the title of the state’s official drink.

Three generous tablespoons of the syrup—composed merely of cold brew coffee reduced down with cane sugar—get shaken and stirred into whole (or almond) milk until the top froths. Your first sip may induce cartoon-style eye popping from the shot of straight sugar, but keep sipping. Eventually the sweetness factor tones down revealing the oaky notes of the cold brew. Though caffeine does make an appearance, perhaps indulge in coffee milk as a dessert rather than your morning energy boost. Get a taste at Flour Parlor (owned by Rhode Islanders) and try the authentic flavors of Dave’s Coffee Syrup, also sold by the case. 

Flour Parlor, 128 N Orange Ave., Sarasota, 941-993-8649