Espresso-Based Coffee Drinks
Most popular coffee drinks worldwide are built on the foundation of Espresso—a concentrated shot of coffee extracted under high pressure. The key differences lie in how water, milk, or milk foam is added and in what proportion.
I. Black Coffee Drinks (Espresso Base)
These drinks contain coffee and water only.
| Coffee Type | Recipe | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Standard extracted coffee shot | The intense, fundamental base drink, featuring a layer of reddish-brown crema. |
| Espresso Doppio | 2 shots of Espresso | Simply a double shot of Espresso. Double the intensity and caffeine. |
| Americano | Espresso + Hot Water | Espresso diluted with hot water. It tastes similar to regular black coffee but milder than a straight shot. |
| Lungo | Espresso (long extraction) | Extracted with more water than a standard shot (a “long pull”). It has more volume but can taste slightly more bitter. |
II. Milk Coffee Drinks (Espresso Base)
The primary difference is the ratio of Espresso to milk and the texture/thickness of the milk foam.
| Coffee Type | Milk/Foam Ratio | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Macchiato | 1 part Espresso + a “dot” of milk foam | Macchiato means “stained.” It’s Espresso with just a small spoonful of foam to cut the bitterness. Very Espresso-dominant. |
| Cortado | Espresso + Steamed Milk (Balanced 1:1 Ratio) | The warm milk is added to the Espresso, often with minimal to no foam. Offers a perfect balance of coffee and milk flavour. |
| Flat White | Double Espresso + Steamed Microfoam | Uses a Double Espresso and a thin, velvety layer of microfoam. It has a stronger coffee flavour than a Latte or Cappuccino. |
| Cappuccino | Espresso + Steamed Milk + Thick Foam (Often 1:1:1 ratio) | Known for its thick, airy layer of stiff foam. It’s traditionally served in a smaller cup than a Latte. |
| Latte (Caffè Latte) | Espresso + Plenty of Steamed Milk + Thin foam layer | Contains the most steamed milk. It has a light, creamy flavour and only a thin layer of foam on top. |
| Latte Macchiato | Steamed Milk (first) + Espresso (second) + Foam | Creating three distinct layers: milk, coffee, and foam. Very milk-heavy and mild. |
