Whilst tonic water was patented in 1858 in London[1] and espresso machines were invented in 1905 in Italy,[2] the first record of this drink's creation was in Oslo in 2007.

[3] There it was mixed by a barista working with the future founders of the Swedish company Koppi Roasters, Anne Lunell and Charles Nystrand.

[3][4] Its popularity grew in Scandinavia and by the 2010s, the drink had spread to North American coffee culture as a result of international barista competitions.

[6] In 2019, the British coffee chain Caffè Nero partnered with the beverage company Fever-Tree to sell two variations of the drink in its outlets.

[8] The drink can also include sugar syrup, a lemon garnish,[8] or other flavours such as cherry,[9] lime, or honey.