Why does an Italian always have a glass of water next to espresso

And why coffee does not make people sleepy

On a bar counter in Rome, Naples or Milan, a small glass of water often stands beside a tiny cup of espresso. Not ice water, not water with lemon, not a decorative touch — just clean water. But it is not there to wash away the bitterness or to make the coffee work better. In Italian coffee culture, water served with espresso is first and foremost a sign of respect for taste.

A few sips of water before the first sip of espresso cleanse the palate of food, wine, cigarettes or anything else that may still be lingering in the mouth. This allows the coffee to reveal itself more precisely: its body, aroma, acidity, bitterness, sweetness and finish become clearer. Some people also drink water after coffee, especially if the espresso is too harsh or they want to restore a feeling of freshness. But in the classic logic of a good espresso, the water is meant to be drunk before.

This is not a purely practical gesture, but a small cultural ritual. In Italy, coffee is not simply a way to wake up, nor is it a large cup carried down the street on the way to work. It is a brief, almost theatrical pause for taste: step up to the bar, order an espresso, take a few sips of water, drink the coffee and return to the day.

Science versus myths: coffee and sleepiness

The myth that coffee can make you sleepy if you do not drink water with it sounds believable, but physiology tells a different story.

Caffeine does not create energy out of nowhere. It temporarily blocks adenosine receptors — adenosine being a substance that builds up during the day and signals to the brain that it is time to rest. While caffeine is active, the tiredness signal feels weaker, and a person may feel more alert and focused. Once caffeine wears off, adenosine can bind to its receptors again, and fatigue may return suddenly, especially if you were already sleep-deprived or overworked before drinking coffee.

But this has nothing to do with whether you drank water with your coffee. If a person is well rested and generally alert, a cup of coffee should not suddenly make them sleepy. If the body is already tired, coffee may only postpone the feeling of fatigue, not erase it completely. Water plays a different role here: it refreshes the palate, supports general comfort and makes the coffee ritual feel more balanced.

It is also important not to exaggerate the idea of dehydration. Coffee can have a mild diuretic effect, especially in people who drink it rarely, but an ordinary cup of coffee still contributes fluid to the diet. So a glass of water with espresso is not a medical necessity and not an “antidote” to caffeine. It is a gesture of taste, balance and culture.

Water with espresso is not a way to cover bitterness and not a cure for sleepiness. It is part of Italian coffee etiquette, where coffee is treated not as fuel, but as a small work of flavour. Alertness and fatigue still depend not on the glass of water beside the cup, but on sleep, the body’s overall condition and how wisely you use caffeine.