Hard Pressed’s helpful infographic

The mission

When asked to visit Hard Pressed Café in Cape Town to try their signature drink, The Amy, I snatched up my handbag and sighed, “Why is my job so hard?” Little did I know that I would form a strong bond with this beverage.

The Amy costs R36 and comprises a double shot of espresso, white chocolate chips, peanut butter and ice cream blended together to form a type of iced coffee-milkshake hybrid.

The experience

The drink arrives in a glass jar looking like your average chocolate milkshake, yet it’s anything but. On my first sip, any social awkwardness I had felt while snapping multiple pictures was replaced by a sense that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. The record playing – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother – added to this poignant moment.

The Amy, in all her glory.

The creator

“The Amy is a tribute to Amy Winehouse and was one of our first concoctions,” says Hard Pressed owner Yaron Wiesenbacher, who envisaged the decadent drink during a somewhat hazy brainstorming session. The idea is that slightly unusual ingredients can come together to form something truly awesome. “Which is how I feel about Amy Winehouse,” says Yaron.

The verdict

Drink this now, but proceed with caution. It may taste like a milkshake, but that double shot of espresso delivers a firm kick, especially when swigged on an empty stomach.