What are the most popular specialty coffee drinks?
Most specialty coffee drinks are built from espresso plus steamed milk, and they differ mainly in how much milk and foam they have. Roughly from least to most milk: espresso, macchiato, cortado, flat white, cappuccino, latte (guides differ on the order of the middle drinks). Add-ons like mocha (chocolate) and iced or blended versions are variations. Exact recipes vary by cafe, so ask what is in yours.
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In this article
What are the most popular specialty coffee drinks?
The core menu at most cafes is espresso, americano, macchiato, cortado, flat white, cappuccino, latte and mocha. Almost all start with espresso; the differences are milk amount, foam and extras.
How do they compare?
| Drink | What it is | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Small, concentrated shot | Strong, no milk |
| Americano | Espresso plus hot water | Long, black coffee |
| Macchiato | Espresso with a small spoon of milk foam | Espresso-forward |
| Cortado | Espresso with roughly equal warm milk | Between a macchiato and a cappuccino |
| Flat white | Espresso with thin, velvety microfoam | Strong coffee, smooth |
| Cappuccino | Espresso, steamed milk and a foam layer | More milk and foam than a flat white |
| Latte | Espresso with lots of steamed milk | Mildest and creamiest |
| Mocha | Latte with chocolate | Sweet |
Where do recipes differ?
Sources disagree on details, such as how many shots a flat white has or the exact milk amount in a cortado. Cafes also use different cup sizes. Latte macchiato (milk stained with espresso) is easily confused with caffe latte and macchiato.
Which one should you order?
- Want it strong: espresso, macchiato or cortado.
- Want milky and mild: latte.
- Want foam: cappuccino.
- Want smooth but strong: flat white.
- Want to avoid milk: americano or black drip coffee.
Tips for ordering
Ask for size and number of shots, since caffeine and calories change with them. Plant milks are usually available, and iced versions of most drinks exist. Calorie and caffeine figures vary by cafe, so check the shop’s own information. For making an americano at home, see Americano with milk.
People also ask
What is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?
A latte has more steamed milk and little foam; a cappuccino has less milk and a thicker foam layer, so it tastes stronger.
What is a flat white?
An espresso drink with steamed milk and a thin, velvety microfoam instead of thick foam. Shot count varies by cafe.
What is the strongest espresso drink?
Plain espresso, followed by a macchiato, which has only a little milk foam on top. A cortado, with about equal milk, is also small and strong.
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