My first experience with espresso was in Spain early in 1971.
The ship I was on never pulled into port, we always dropped anchare off shore, sometimes a mile or more off shore. This meant a long boat ride, usually in rough water and cold weather at that time of year.
All the bars/pubs had espresso machines. The natives liked it sweet! Very sweet. Too sweet for my liking, but I found a mix of a shot of brandy with the espresso (I can't remember the name of it).
The shot of brandy would light the boilers and the espresso would make you want to chase cars and catch them.
My best,
Blair