Premium independent coffee house, Caffè Nero, has launched its brand-new summer menu, bringing a slice of Italian decadence to UK stores. The exciting lineup features the trailblazing Iced Velvet Americano, alongside a selection of fruity spritzes and indulgent desserts and treats – including the star of Italian breakfasts, the Maritozzi Bun.

Headlining the trio of treats in the new Italian Sweet Range, the Maritozzi Bun tantalises the tastebuds with an instant hit of Italian sunshine. This trendy treat is currently all the rage with Google searches for ‘Italian Cream Bun’ up 450% since this time last year1.

The Maritozzi Bun consists of a soft sourdough brioche, using a sour that is over 35 years old and proved for over eight hours, infused with delicate citrus notes of lemon and orange. The bun is then filled with a light sweetened cream and finished with a dusting of icing sugar. Typically eaten for breakfast, the indulgent but light bun pairs beautifully with a coffee for a morning or mid-afternoon burst of energy.

To celebrate this exciting launch, Caffè Nero is offering two lucky customers the chance to win a luxury weekend break for two in a five-star hotel in Rome, home of the Maritozzi Bun. Brits are desperate for an Italian escape with Google searches for ‘Italian Holiday’ peaking in early May1, as many wish to evade the unpredictable British weather. For those raring for a getaway, simply purchase a Maritozzi Bun using the Caffè Nero app to be in the running to experience La Dolce Vita first-hand.

In addition to the Maritozzi Bun, the Italian Sweet Range also offers the Italian Blueberry Mousse Cake. This zingy sponge erupts with the essence of summer, sandwiched between layers of light blueberry mousse and with a surprise crunch of white chocolate crispy balls. The dessert is then topped with fruity jelly and hand-decorated with blueberries.

For a hit of citrus, try a sweet slice of the Sicilian Lemon Meringue Cheesecake instead – refreshing layers of creamy lemon cheesecake, with a zesty tier of Sicilian lemon curd on a crunchy biscuit base and topped with fluffy Italian meringue.

What’s more, thanks to the innovative Iced Velvet Americano, coffee enthusiasts can now enjoy their sweet treats with their favourite drink, served in a refreshing new way for summer. With an alluring creamy texture, your espresso of choice is 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, expertly hand crafted with real fruit purees and sparkling soda over ice and finished with a garnish of lemon.

Will Stratton-Morris, CEO at Caffè Nero UK comments: “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.

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.”