What Are the Different Coffee Drinks? A Guide to Espresso and Milk Combinations
How Many Ways Can You Have Espresso and Milk?
If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, or Macchiato, you’re not alone! Many coffee lovers are curious about how espresso and milk are combined to create different flavors and textures.
All of our milk-based drinks start with a double shot of espresso (two ounces), and then steamed milk is added in a specific way. Just as espresso recipes can vary between cafés, so do milk-based drinks. For example, ordering a Flat White at our café might be different from ordering one at a second-wave coffee shop, where sizes and milk ratios can vary widely. While specialty cafés follow a more standardized approach, each shop may have its own slight variations.
Types of Espresso and Milk Drinks
The following are drinks that when ordered through us, follow this type of preparation.
Latte
A Latte is one of the most well-known coffee drinks. It consists of espresso + steamed milk with a small amount of microfoam on top. Lattes are defined as a long milk-based drink, typically served in larger cups, allowing for latte art and a smooth, creamy texture. If you want to learn more about steaming milk check out this video.
Cappuccino
A Cappuccino is similar to a latte but has a different milk texture. The key difference is that cappuccinos contain more air introduced while steaming, making the foam drier and thicker. Traditionally served in an eight-ounce cup, a cappuccino consists of equal parts steamed milk and foam. The temperature is perfect for immediate sipping.
Flat White
A Flat White is also served in an eight-ounce cup, but it has a higher espresso-to-milk ratio than a latte. The milk is steamed similarly to a latte, but the overall drink is shorter, allowing for a more concentrated coffee flavor.
Cortado
A Cortado is similar to a Flat White but has less textured milk. Typically served in a six-ounce glass, a cortado has just enough milk to balance the intensity of the espresso while still keeping it smooth.
Macchiato
A Macchiato is a double espresso marked with a touch of steamed milk or microfoam. This drink is for those who enjoy the bold flavor of espresso but want a slight milk presence to soften the edges.
Second-Wave vs. Third-Wave Coffee Drinks
If you’re used to popular coffee chains, you may have noticed that drinks like the Flat White and Macchiato can mean something entirely different at a specialty café. In case you are new to these terms – Second-Wave Coffee refers to the rise of major coffee chains like Starbucks that popularized espresso-based drinks for the masses. Third-Wave Coffee is all about treating coffee like a craft beverage, similar to wine or beer. It emphasizes transparency, origin, roasting technique, and brewing precision. Specialty cafés in the third wave focus on smaller sizes, carefully steamed milk, and showcasing the unique flavors of the beans. The drinks are often more balanced and espresso-forward.
- At second-wave coffee chains, a Flat White can range from eight ounces to a whopping 31 ounces and might be closer to a latte than a true Flat White.
- A Macchiato at these cafés is often a large, sugary drink with syrup, milk, and caramel sauce—very different from the traditional espresso-forward version.
The approach at our café is to focus on quality and concentration, ensuring that each drink highlights the coffee itself rather than overwhelming it with milk or sweeteners.
Connect
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Next time you stop by, try one of these espresso and milk combinations and taste the difference for yourself!