Some afternoons need a little something to get you over the line. Not another heavy coffee that leaves you wired and jittery by three, just a small, pretty pick-me-up that makes the back half of the day feel manageable. This is the one I make.

An iced brown sugar shaken espresso, with a warm hint of cinnamon and a smoothness from the oat milk that makes it feel like a treat rather than a fourth coffee. It takes about three minutes and it looks far more impressive than the effort it needs.

Here's how I make it, plus a couple of ways to change it up.

Why the shake matters

Shaking the espresso with the brown sugar and ice does two lovely things. It chills the coffee fast so it doesn't melt all your ice, and it gives you that light, frothy top you get from a good cafe. It's the difference between an iced coffee that feels thrown together and one that feels like you meant it.

The brown sugar brings a deeper, almost caramel sweetness that plain sugar can't, and a little cinnamon rounds the whole thing out.

What you'll need

• Two shots of espresso, or half a cup of strong coffee
• One to two teaspoons of brown sugar
• A small pinch of cinnamon (optional, but lovely)
• Two full droppers of Piq (one serve, 2ml)
• A cup of ice
• Oat milk to top (or any milk you like)

No cocktail shaker? A jar with a tight lid works perfectly, or even a protein shaker.

How to make it

1. Pull your espresso. Two shots, or half a cup of strong coffee if that's what you've got.

2. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon and Piq. While the espresso is still warm, stir through the brown sugar, a pinch of cinnamon and two full droppers of Piq until the sugar dissolves. The Piq goes in here so it mixes evenly. It won't change the taste at all, and it gives you calmer focus and smoother energy, which is exactly what you want from an afternoon coffee.

3. Shake it. Add the espresso mix and a handful of ice to your shaker or jar. Pop the lid on and shake hard for about fifteen seconds, until it's cold and frothy.

4. Pour and top. Fill a glass with fresh ice, pour the shaken espresso over, and top with oat milk. Give it a gentle stir and watch it swirl.

A few things I've learned

Start with one teaspoon of brown sugar and add more if you want it sweeter. It's easy to overdo.

Shake harder and longer than you think. That's where the froth comes from.

Use good ice and plenty of it. A watery shaken espresso is a sad one.

Ways to change it up

Warm version. Skip the shake and the ice, stir everything into your espresso and top with steamed milk for a cosy brown sugar latte.

Extra smooth. A splash of vanilla alongside the cinnamon is gorgeous.

Dairy free stays dairy free. Oat milk is my favourite here, but almond or coconut both work.

When to make it

This is my two or three in the afternoon drink, the one that resets the day without wrecking my evening. It's also lovely mid-morning if you want something a bit more special than your usual cup.