What may be more surprising is that it's almost as common for people to follow that shot of strong coffee with a shot of strong alcohol - supposedly in order to deaden the caffeine buzz, or wash away the taste. The habit is still an integral part of many formal (or just large) meals in Italy, but it's now seen as more about enhancing the taste of the coffee and rounding off a refined evening or afternoon. We hope it goes without saying that the coffee drunk after a meal should be an espresso, or caffè normale; you wouldn't order a coffee with milk, such as a cappuccino, and then follow it with a shot of something alcoholic.