8 of the most common espresso drinks explained in this article. We’ll review the single or double-shot espresso, americano, lungo, macchiato cappuccino, latte, flat white, and cortado.
Types of coffee drinks
Do you want to have a cup of espresso to start your day? But which one would you like to drink? Single espresso, double espresso, americano, lungo, cappuccino, latte, flat white, cortado, or simply filter coffee? The range of choice is so wide, depending on your taste and your preferences.
This post will help you choose the right espresso drink. We will explain the difference between all the most common espresso drinks.
We will cover all types of espresso coffee options based on single or double espresso shots. We will compare all the coffee drinks side-by-side!
Let us start by categorizing all espresso beverages into two groups.
- Espresso-based black coffee.
- Espresso-based milk coffee.
– For the black coffee category, we will help you distinguish between a single espresso, double espresso, americano, lungo, and filter coffee. The latter is not an espresso-based coffee. It is referred to in the list to complete the list of the black coffee category.
– For the espresso-based milk coffee, we will compare the cappuccino, macchiato, cortado or piccolo, flat white, and caffé latte varieties of milk coffee.
| Black coffee | Milk coffee |
| – Single Espresso, Double Espresso, – Americano, – Lungo, – Filter Coffee | – Cappuccino – Macchiato – Cortado or Piccolo – Caffé Latte – Flat White |
Although the recipes of the above types of coffee are not set in stone and the names vary relatively from country to country, this overview should serve as a decent place to start making a distinction between the different espresso-based drinks.
Common espresso drinks explained
As mentioned above, the most common espresso drinks can be grouped into 2 categories: black coffee or mil coffee.
Espresso machines are used to make the majority of the coffees we’ll discuss.
Espresso-based black coffee
We’ll probably start with the most fundamental yet crucial coffee: espresso.
1. Espresso
Espresso is an Italian coffee preparation technique in which a small amount of nearly boiling water (90 °C or 190 °F) is forced through finely-ground coffee beans under 9-10 bars (900–1,000 kPa; 130–150 psi) of pressure. Various kinds of coffee beans and roast levels can be used to make espresso.
Espresso is the most popular method of brewing coffee in southern Europe, particularly in Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. Additionally, it is also appreciated in Australia, Switzerland, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece.
How to make an espresso?
In a coffee shop, clients order either single or double espressos:
- In an espresso machine, there are actually two spouts from which espresso shots are produced. A single espresso, a single shot espresso, or just an espresso is served in a small cup from one spout. The volume is usually 1 ounce (around 20 – 30 milliliters or grams. )
- The espresso machine can make a larger quantity of espresso. The recipe is the same. The barista uses a larger cup—typically the one for cappuccino—to get espresso shots from both spouts. This is the only distinction. This is called a double espresso or espresso doppio.
You may order a single-shot espresso to taste a high intensity of the flavor but in a small quantity. However, you can ask for a double espresso if you’d like to drink coffee with the same flavor intensity but with a little bit more volume. The advantage is that you’ll typically pay less than if you ordered two single espressos.
Espresso has a rich flavor and a smooth consistency. It is a very concentrated, powerful beverage. The layer of dense foam that forms on top of the drink is called crema. Stirring the mixture will ensure that all the flavors are combined before you consume it.
Characteristics of an espresso:
- Country of origin: Italy
- Espresso shots: 1-2
- Milk addition: no
- Size: 1-2 ounces
- Length of the espresso shot: 22 and 40 seconds
Ristretto:
NOTE: Ristretto is another type of espresso shot. It contains less water than a normal espresso and is stronger in flavor density. “Ristretto” is the Italian term for “restricted” or “shortened”. It refers to the technique of limiting or restricting how much water the espresso maker uses to create the beverage.
2. Americano
Americano is essentially a weaker version of espresso for those individuals who like the flavor of their coffee less intense.
Americano or Caffè Americano is Italian for “American coffee“. The name is thought to have originated during World War II when American soldiers in Italy diluted espresso with hot water to resemble the coffee they were used to. However, this theory is still unproven.
How to make an americano?
- Americano coffee is made with a single or double shot of espresso.
- A certain amount of hot water is added to the beverage. The flavor becomes more reminiscent of drip coffee when the strong dark espresso roast is diluted.
- You may serve americano in a larger cup than that of the espresso, usually a cappuccino cup.
The flavor characteristics of the espresso are still present in americano coffee, although it is less intense.
Characteristics of an americano cup of coffee:
- Country of origin: Italy
- Espresso shots: 1-2
- Milk addition: no
- Size: 8 ounces
- Length of the shot: 22 – 40 seconds
- Hot water addition: yes
3. Lungo
Lungo means “long” in Italian. By tweaking the grinder and using a longer shot than that of espresso, you may make lungo, a longer espresso. It is often around 2 ounces.
Lungo is a coffee beverage prepared by brewing Italian-style coffee with an espresso machine.
How to make a lungo?
Lungo coffee is made by pulling a single espresso shot with additional water (about twice as much).
A lungo can take up to a minute to pull and can hold 2 ounces, whereas a typical serving of espresso takes 18 to 30 seconds to pull and can hold up to 1 ounce. A longer coffee drink is typically made with two or three times the amount of water for the same weight of coffee.
A lungo must not be confused with an americano. The latter is more like an espresso with hot water added to it while the lungo is made by using a longer espresso shot with more water than usual.
Characteristics of a lungo:
- Country of origin: Italy
- Espresso shots: 1
- Milk addition: no
- Size: 2 ounces
- Length of the espresso shot: 1 minute
- Hot water addition: yes
NOTE:
Filter Coffee
Filter coffee is the final option for black coffee. It doesn’t come from an espresso machine, but it’s a good option for someone who wants to have a large cup of black coffee.
To make filter coffee, pour hot water over the ground coffee, which is then allowed to drip through a filter.
As filter coffee cools down, the flavor normally becomes more subtle, less strong, and more developed.
See the article about which is stronger? Espresso or filter coffee?
Espresso-based milk coffee
The majority of the espresso beverages that we have seen so far are basically just black coffee that you mix with hot water or consume immediately after it comes out of the machine.
However, the majority of coffee shops provide other milk-based coffee varieties.
4. Cappuccino
Perhaps the most well-known coffee beverage in the world is cappuccino. It is made up of foamed milk and one shot of espresso. Depending on the cups they use, each café has a different ratio between these two. The typical cup size is between 5 and 6 ounces, which strikes a wonderful balance between coffee and milk.
In a classic cappuccino, the espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk are all distributed evenly.
How to make a cappuccino?
- The barista uses an espresso machine to make a cappuccino.
- First, pour a double espresso into the bottom of the cup.
- Then, prepare a similar amount of hot milk by heating and texturing the milk using the espresso machine’s steam wand.
- Pour the hot milk on top of the double shot of espresso.
- The third part of the drink consists of milk foam, which the barista may decorate with art made with the same milk, or may simply sprinkle it with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
A typical cappuccino size is about 6 ounces.
Characteristics of a cappuccino:
- Country of origin: Italy
- Espresso shots: 1
- Milk addition: yes
- Size: 6 ounces
- Hot water addition: no
5. Macchiato
Espresso macchiato originates from Italy. The term macchiato means “marked”, “stained”, or “spotted” which indicates how the drink is “marked” by a small amount of milk on the top.
Macchiato is a good choice if you want to taste more coffee than milk. A single shot of espresso and a tiny amount of foamed milk are combined and delivered in a small glass espresso cup.
The milk should not overpower the espresso; instead, it should give a hint of sweetness to bring out the flavors of the coffee.
A classic macchiato contains approximately 1. 1/4 ounces and consists of one shot of espresso and one to two tablespoons of mostly steamed milk with a trace of foam.
How to make a macchiato?
- Pull a shot of espresso.
- Top it with a layer of frothy foam.
A macchiato contains approximately 1. 1/4 ounces.
Characteristics of a macchiato:
- Country of origin: Italy
- Espresso shots: 1
- Milk addition: yes
- Size: 1.1/4 ounces
- Hot water addition: no
6. Cortado or Piccolo
Cortado is a Spanish drink. The term cortado comes from the Spanish verb “cortar” meaning literally in Spanish “cut”.
Cortado, sometimes called Piccolo, is a small milk espresso drink often served in a glass cup. It mixes a double shot of espresso with foamed milk. The espresso is cut or diluted, with an equivalent volume of milk.
The only similarity between cortados and macchiatos is that both are small drinks prepared by mixing espresso with milk. However, there is a fundamental difference in the preparation. A macchiato consists of an espresso shot with foamed milk on top. A cortado is a coffee made with espresso and the same amount of steamed milk.
How to make a cortado?
- Pull a double shot of espresso.
- Mix it with the same amount of steamed milk.
A cortado contains approximately 4 ounces.
Characteristics of a macchiato:
- Country of origin: Spain
- Espresso shots: 2
- Milk addition: yes
- Size: 2 ounces
- Hot water addition: no
7. Latte
Café Latte originated in Italy and the term literally “coffee and milk”.
Café Latte is an option if you like more milk and less coffee. It combines one shot of espresso with foamed milk and is served in quite large cups that are roughly 300 ml in size.
Generally, a latte is served in a 240ml (8 US fl oz) glass or mug with a standard espresso, either single or double and filled with steamed milk with an around 12 mm (1⁄2 inch) covering of steamed milk on top. In the US, lattes typically contain 3% sugar (or more).
How to make a latte?
- Pull a single or a double shot of espresso.
- Pour it into a cup.
- Steam and foam the milk.
- Pour it on top of the double espresso.
- Create a latte art design on the surface of the flat white.
A latte is the coffee drink that contains the most milk.
Characteristics of a latte:
- Country of origin: Italy
- Espresso shots: 1 or 2
- Milk addition: yes (steamed and foamed)
- Size: 8/15 ounces
- Hot water addition: no
8. Flat white
Flat whites evolved in Australia and New Zealand. Espresso and microfoam are the main ingredients in a flat white. It is typically served in a ceramic cup with a saucer.
It’s a milk-based beverage with an intense coffee flavor that is prepared with less steamed milk than a flat white and a tiny coating of microfoam.
Similar to a latte, but with less microfoam and a smaller volume, it has a higher coffee-to-milk ratio, which allows the espresso to dominate the flavor while being supported by the milk.
How to make a flat white?
- Pull a double shot of espresso.
- Pour it into a cup.
- Steam the milk.
- Pour it on top of the double espresso.
- Create a latte art design on the surface of the flat white.
Flat white contains less milk than a latte.
Characteristics of a flat white:
- Country of origin: Australia, New Zealand.
- Espresso shots: 2
- Milk addition: yes (micro foamed)
- Size: 5/6 ounces
- Length of the espresso shot: 22 – 40 seconds
- Hot water addition: no
What is the difference between a latte and a flat white?
Flat white VS Latte
Flat white contains less steamed milk than a latte. It also has a stronger flavor density. Another difference lies in the serving style. Lattes are typically served in a glass. Flat whites, however, are best served in a ceramic cup.
Summary
The most common espresso drinks are explained in the following table:
| Espresso-Based Coffee | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Black Coffee | 1. Espresso |
– This coffee is typically made by using an espresso machine. The barista makes it by forcing steam through finely-ground coffee beans. A single espresso is served in a small cup from one spout of the espresso machine. A double espresso, however, is made using both spouts. |
| 2. Lungo | This is an espresso that is made with more water than usual. | |
| 3. Americano | This is an espresso with hot water added to it. | |
| Milk Coffee | 4. Cappuccino | Espresso with steamed milk and milk foam added to it. |
| 5. Macchiato | Espresso with a small amount of milk foam added to it. | |
| 6. Cortado or Piccolo | A double shot of espresso with foamed milk on top (more than with macchiato) | |
| 7. Flat white | Espresso with a small amount of steamed milk added to it (less than with a latte) | |
| 8. Latte | Espresso with a lot of steamed milk and a small amount of milk foam added to it. | |