The Complete Guide to Milk Based Coffee Drinks

There are a lot of different milk-based coffee drinks from all over the world. But all of them have two main products at the core - coffee and milk. The difference between most milk drinks depends on the espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam ratio. Getting the right consistency of steamed milk and milk foam and pulling a great shot of espresso could be the difference between you creating a latte or a cappuccino.

A lot of milk-based coffee drinks have a history, and throughout the years the recipes traveled all over the world and the original recipes or the names got mixed up. Therefore, among coffee drinkers there tends to be a certain confusion when it comes to the way we are supposed to call certain beverages. Terms like cappuccino, macchiato, cortado, piccolo, caffé latte, Gibraltar, Gaspar, and Flat White–all of which embody a delicious drink made up of the same two basic ingredients.

Cappuccino

At the start of the list, we have the most famous espresso and milk drink around the world - the cappuccino. You will be able to find it in any coffee shop in the world. The cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink, and the name is derived from the word „hood” in Italian. While the exact origin of the name of this drink is not clear, it is believed to have come from Vienna where milk was poured into coffee (in a glass) until the resulting product matched the religious garments of the Capuchin monks. By the time the drink made its way to Italy, porcelain cups were used and they could no longer see the color. The foam also became the signature feature of the drink, leading to the more specialized use of microfoam and the growing emphasis on latte art that we see in espresso and milk drinks around the world many coffee-consuming countries around the world. Considered a “drink of proportions,” the cappuccino has been defined as a coffee beverage made up of one-third espresso, one-third milk, and one-third foam to create a balance or equivalence in proportions. Therefore, a cappuccino is prepared with a single shot of espresso, textured milk, and a minimum of 1 centimeter of foam depth (assessed vertically).

Latte

The latte is the milk drink with the most milk and largest in size. So, it is considered the most popular among coffee lovers. Everyone loves a simple, smooth flavored latte - even people who don’t really like coffee. It is usually paired very well with sweet flavor syrups such as caramel or chocolate. Latte milk is steamed fairly hot, usually between 57 and 65 degrees, but only has a thin layer of microfoam. It can also be served as an iced drink if you are in the mood for a cold beverage - iced lattes are refreshing and smooth. 

Piccolo Latte

Piccolo latte, or a small latte, is made by pouring warm milk over a ristretto shot. Cafés typically serve it in a short 100ml latte glass, so it is essentially a little milk coffee shot.

There are other names for this coffee, such as Cataldo (Spanish) and Mezzo-Mezzo (Australian).

Since drinking two or three full-sized milk coffees a day can be overwhelming, drinking a few of these smaller caffeinated milk shots can be a perfect replacement.

Macchiato

A Macchiato is a strong coffee shot with just a bit of milk. Originally from Italy, it’s safe to assume the universal understanding of a macchiato is an espresso shot with a small dash of milk. But depending on where you are in the world and what cup you’re using, you may get something slightly different. A macchiato, also known as a ‘stained’ or ‘marked’ espresso beverage, is quite literally a shot of espresso marked with a dollop of milk. Traditionally, this drink was just a shot of espresso topped with a small dollop of microfoam from steamed milk. Most of the time, this foam was just spooned out, so no liquid milk actually made it into the cup. Modern specialty coffee shops stick closer to tradition on this one but depart in a small way. Rather than steaming milk just to scoop out a bit of foam, they pour a tiny bit of liquid milk into the espresso and create latte art. 

Cortado

Cortado is an even combination of espresso and steamed milk, with a texture that’s flat compared to the frothy latte, cappuccino, and the likes.

It doesn’t have as much foam, and the ratio of coffee to milk can be between 1:1 and 1:2. It is traditionally served in a unique glass with a metal wire handle and base. The capacity of the glass should be between 150-200ml.

It is very popular in Latin America, Portugal, and Spain.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is the most popular variation of Cortado coffee. It is a cult coffee from San Francisco served in the famous ‘Gibraltar’ glasses. It is a bit colder than a typical Cortado with a wealthier texture. Typical Gibraltar is made by adding an espresso shot and 85ml of milk to a heated ‘Gibraltar’ glass. However, the main downside with Gibraltar is that the glass can’t maintain the heat, so the coffee cools rather fast. As such, you should drink it quickly for an optimal experience.

Flat White

Flat white is a popular milk-based coffee consisting of espresso with a lower amount of steamed milk. The espresso flavor still dominates the aroma, while the milk serves as a supporting taste. This beverage has made its way prominently into the United States fairly recently. Originating in New Zealand/Australia, most of the beverage, like a caffé latte, is steamed milk. Many people believe that the “flat” in the name refers to the milk–perhaps no foam or very little. The SCAA and WBC definition cites half a centimeter of foam.

Mochaccino/mocha

The Mochaccino is a variety of the cafè latte. It consists of a double espresso shot, foamed milk, and an additional flavor. Usually, the aroma comes from cocoa powder or chocolate syrup. If you want, you can add some cinnamon, whipped cream, or other toppings. The mocha is like a creamy chocolate coffee – great for beginner coffee drinks as it’s usually the gateway drink into the coffee.

But whether you know the exact right name of the coffee drink or not, as long as you say coffee with milk, the barista will adapt the drink after your preferences. And no matter the label, coffee is all about culture and an amazing experience.