Espresso Drinks Explained
What's the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?
... Or a flat white and a cortado? Or a single shot or a double shot? Or a macchiato and... another cafe's macchiato?
Coffee's long history, popularity, and worldwide devotion have lead to a lot of ways to drink and enjoy it. Furthering this potential confusion, different cafes have different ways of presenting and serving drinks; one cafe's cortado could be wildly different from the one down the street.
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ESPRESSO DRINKS EXPLAINED VIDEO
Watch our Youtube video here, or get our skimmable coffee drink guide below. After watching it, we think your next order will be one made with confidence and
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ESPRESSO DRINK GLOSSARY
No time to watch the videos? We've got you! Here's the rundown of each drink.
DRINKS WITHOUT MILK
Espresso
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What is it: A small but powerful shot of coffee brewed under high pressure. The coffee to water ratio is generally between 1 parts coffee to 1-3 parts water (1:2 is the most common).
- Background: Originated in Italy in the early 20th century, revolutionizing coffee with its speed and intensity.
Americano
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What is it: Espresso diluted with hot water, creating a drink similar in strength to drip coffee but with a unique flavor profile.
- Background: Legend has it that American soldiers in Italy during WWII would dilute espresso to resemble the coffee they were used to back home.
DRINKS WITH MILK
Macchiato
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What is it: Espresso “stained” with a small amount of milk foam.
- Background: The name means “stained” or “spotted” in Italian, referring to the small splash of milk that softens the intensity of the espresso.
Cortado
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What is it: Equal parts espresso and steamed milk, balancing boldness with creaminess.
- Background: Originating in Spain, the name "cortado" comes from the Spanish verb "cortar," meaning "to cut," referring to the way milk cuts through the espresso.
Cappuccino
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What is it: Espresso with equal parts steamed milk and thick, airy milk foam.
- Background: Named after the Capuchin monks, whose robes were the same color as the drink’s espresso and milk mixture.
Flat White
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What is it: A small, strong espresso drink with velvety microfoam milk. It differs from the cappuccino based on the milk texture and overall amount of milk.
- Background: Believed to have originated in Australia or New Zealand in the 1980s as a smoother alternative to a cappuccino.
Latte
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What is it: Espresso with a larger amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam.
- Background: The word “latte” simply means “milk” in Italian, and in its homeland, it’s usually just warm milk unless you specify “caffè latte.”
Mocha
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What is it: A latte blended with chocolate, either syrup or cocoa powder.
- Background: Named after the Yemeni port city of Mocha, a historic coffee-trading hub famous for its naturally chocolatey coffee beans.
NON-ESPRESSO
Café au Lait
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What is it: Made with equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk. Unlike a latte, which is espresso-based, a café au lait uses drip-brewed coffee, giving it a gentler flavor.
- Background: The name means “coffee with milk” in French, and it’s a staple of French coffee culture, traditionally served in a wide, bowl-like cup for dipping pastries.