Based in Rome, Italy, Aliena Coffee Roasters is one of the country’s most innovative and forward-thinking roasters. Since opening in 2021, Aliena has grown to two coffee shops in the capital city and sells its own range of single-origin roasted coffee and canned RTDs.
Having previously made cold brew with other equipment, Aliena Coffee Roasters now uses the Baby Hardtank system in its city centre coffee shop, as well as Hardtank’s private label services to produce RTD cold brew. This has expanded their product range and given customers plenty of choice when it comes to enjoying their high-quality coffee.
To learn more about the long-standing partnership between Aliena Coffee Roasters and Hardtank, I spoke with two members of the team. They are Dafne Spadavecchia, the co-founder, and Andrii Shvartz, who manages roasting and quality control. Read on for their insights.
How Hardtank speeds up Aliena Coffee Roasters’ cold brew production and entices customers
Dafne started using Hardtank equipment earlier in 2025, initially at an international trade show. Since then, the Baby Hardtank model has become a countertop staple at Aliena’s coffee shop in central Rome.
“We started by using it at an international food fair, and did some fascinating showcases extracting cold coffee,” she tells me. “We realised we could do cold brew extraction as well as infusing fruit to create signature drinks that were highly appreciated – and it was very aesthetically pleasing.”
From then on, the Baby Hardtank has become a mainstay for daily cold brew service at Aliena’s coffee shops. “During the summer, we placed it in our second café, Luna, in the city centre. It’s fascinating for the audience to see it, and in terms of the outcome, it’s amazing.
“The cup profile is very clean, it’s very easy to use, and the layout is very elegant,” Dafne adds. “I think it’s a real game-changer in the industry, because it combines aesthetics with quality.”
Now that Hardtank systems are central to Aliena’s cold brew production, the team has started to experiment with new flavour combinations. “You can do so much with one machine, including fruit infusions,” she says. “We experimented with those in the summertime, and it really fit well in the second shop.”
She has also observed customer interest in the machine while it works, adding a visually engaging element to cold brew preparation. “It’s beautiful to watch, and it captivates the audience as well,” she says.
“For us, it’s a very important aspect. We want to create a community, and any equipment that helps to spark curiosity and speak about cold brew is great.”
How Aliena Coffee Roasters expands its reach with private label cold brew
Alongside its use of Hardtank systems for freshly prepared cold brew, Aliena Coffee Roasters also partners with Hardtank for private label cold brew. The new line, called Tesseract, launched in April 2025, uses single-origin Brazilian coffee and comes in 200 mL aluminium cans.
This was an important addition for Aliena because it opens up an entirely new consumer touchpoint. It represents crucial diversification in appealing to customers who want their cold brew on the go without having to wait in-store.
“The process is very easy,” says Andrii, who works with Aliena on its RTD coffee. “We’re not wasting time – no matter our custom formula or yours, the production period is quick. All we need to do is approve the samples.”
Speed is a key feature of Hardtank’s private label services. We offer lead times of just four to six weeks after deposit payment and design approval, meaning you can launch your RTD coffee quickly.
“Secondly, it’s the team,” he says. “If I need something, they are very fast to respond, to calculate, and to give me advice. We never feel alone.
“Also, we like that Hardtank is developing new formulas and new drinks, like the vegan matcha latte. That’s one of the good things, because there are specific recipes companies can use for their private label drinks.
“It makes it easy for the people buying those drinks, and then selling them to customers, to explain exactly what each drink is. The Hardtank team is very precise with what they offer.”
Hardtank’s formulations – both pre-existing formulas and custom developments – are designed to offer businesses flexibility. The standard flavours range from classic cold brew to vegan lattes and energy drinks, giving you plenty of options. Alternatively, custom formulations allow you to experiment with new flavours and ingredients. With three rounds of feedback, you can adjust the recipe exactly to your brief – and you retain ownership to replicate it in the future.
Expanding your drinks service and operations with Hardtank
Aliena Coffee Roasters’ experience, both from Dafne and Andrii, shows the versatility of Hardtank’s services for roasters and coffee shops.
Using dedicated equipment to quickly and efficiently prepare cold brew coffee and other drinks helps businesses meet consumer demand and expand their menu accordingly. Similarly, adding private label RTDs to your product range helps you attract customers in other environments, delivering the same quality in a different format.
Ready to add Hardtank systems and private label RTDs to your operations? Explore our equipment range and RTD services to learn more.
Aliena Coffee Roasters: Key takeaways
- Aliena Coffee Roasters uses the Baby Hardtank for on-site cold brew preparation and Hardtank’s private label services for its RTD cold brew.
- Hardtank systems prepare cold brew in under an hour, helping coffee shops meet demand and experiment with new flavour combinations.
- RTD models are scalable and allow roasters to expand their coffee’s visibility across consumer touchpoints.
Aliena Coffee Roasters FAQ
How does Aliena Coffee Roasters work with Hardtank?
The business uses the Baby Hardtank system to prepare cold brew at its Rome coffee shop, and works with Hardtank to produce private label RTDs.
Why did the Aliena team choose Baby Hardtank?
The system quickly prepares cold brew to offer a clean cup profile and consistent flavour profile. Its visual appearance also captivates customers and encourages them to ask questions.
Why are Hardtank’s RTD solutions suitable for roasters?
They help coffee roasters expand their reach by tapping into retail and grocery markets as well as fresh service.
Want to learn more about our cold brew coffee services?
- Explore fresh service: Browse our cold brew systems here.
- Launch an RTD product: Learn more about our private label RTD services.
- Speak to an expert: Contact our team here.
