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Here’s a guide to the most popular types of espresso drinks and how to make each one at home, from the creamy latte to bold macchiato! I’ve tested every recipe in this list so you can become your own barista.
Calling all coffee lovers! Here’s a list of the most popular types of espresso drinks: from the good old latte to the sophisticated cortado.
Maybe you’re just looking for a refresher on your coffee drink types. But if you want to make them at home, you can do that too! Below, I’m breaking down all my favorite types of espresso drinks, what makes each one unique, and how to make them all at home. The recipes are part of my Barista Series, where I teach you how to make coffee drinks without the coffee-house price tag!
The Best Types of Espresso Drinks (and How to Make Them!)
A latte is a coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk and a layer of foam on top. It has ⅓ espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, with a thin layer of foam on top. It's the crowd-pleaser of espresso drinks, and customizable with flavors like a Vanilla Latte, Lavender Latte, Oat Milk Latte, or Pumpkin Spice Latte. Once you learn how to make latte art, there's no going back!
Espresso is an Italian way of making coffee in highly concentrated shots: a single espresso shot is 1 ounce, and a double shot is 2 ounces. I love drinking it in a small glass or espresso cup; I'm a huge fan of drinking it straight up. Here are my top 5 methods for making great espresso at home!
An Americano is an espresso drink made with hot water and espresso. The drink can be made with either one or two shots of espresso, and varying ratios of water (usually 2:1). Not only does it make the coffee drinking experience last a little longer, it smooths the bitter flavor into something altogether new.
A caffè macchiato or espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso that’s topped with frothed milk. It's ideal for when you want a jolt of caffeine without all the extra calories. Don't confuse it with the caramel-spiked coffeehouse version: a classic macchiato is a tiny, bold drink that lets the espresso shine.
A cappuccino is an espresso drink with steamed milk, milk foam and espresso. It has equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foam (⅓ each). It's one of the most iconic espresso drinks, and I love making it at home because getting that perfect foam feels like a small victory.
A flat white is a coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk and a layer of foam on top. It’s similar to a latte and cappuccino, but has a thinner layer of foam on top. . If you've ever wondered about the flat white vs. latte debate, the flat white is the one I actually prefer.
A mocha or mocha latte is a drink made with espresso and steamed milk that’s flavored with chocolate syrup. It's so rich and chocolaty it’s like drinking chocolate pudding. I skip the shortcuts like cocoa mix or canned whipped cream: here's how to make a mocha the classic way. Try my Mocha Cappuccino if you want extra foam.
The Cortado is an espresso drink of equal parts espresso and steamed milk. It's always the same volume: one doubleshot of espresso and 2 ounces milk. Also known as the Gibraltar, this Spanish coffee drink is intensely smooth and rich, the ideal balance between espresso and milk.
Breve coffee, aka cafe breve or breve latte, is a drink of equal parts espresso and half and half. This tiny coffee drink packs a big punch: strong, bold espresso paired with rich half and half. It’s a total treat and worth ordering up at your local coffeeshop. It’s also easy to make at home!
Ristretto is a short espresso shot that’s pulled in less time than the standard shot (it means “restricted” in Italian). It uses the same amount of coffee, but is made in 15 to 20 seconds versus 25 to 30 seconds. This short shot of espresso is pulled faster, making it have a sweeter, richer flavor than the standard. It’s a great way to mix up the classic or slightly alter the flavor of your Starbucks espresso drink.
Lungo is a long espresso shot that’s pulled in longer time than the standard shot so that it has a slightly larger volume of water (lungo means “long” in Italian). It uses the same amount of coffee as a normal espresso shot, but is made in 35 to 40 seconds versus 25 to 30 seconds. It’s almost like an Americano, but with a more bitter flavor.
Espresso con panna (‘espresso with cream’ in Italian) is a coffee drink with a single or double shot of espresso topped with a dollop of whipped cream. The two ingredients are the ideal match: the indulgent frothy cream against the bitter, nutty coffee is a delight. It’s a tiny serving: just the right bite-sized pick me up for a long afternoon or an after dinner treat.
An iced latte is a drink with espresso, milk and optional sweetener. (In contrast, iced coffee uses brewed coffee and optional milk. The combination of bitter coffee balanced by delicate sweetness and creamy, frothed milk is a delight. There’s no need to run to your favorite coffee shop for this one: it’s easy to make homemade! Also try an Iced Vanilla Latte or Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Iced espresso is espresso served over ice, often with milk. It’s similar to iced coffee, but it uses espresso instead of brewed coffee. This spin on iced coffee stars the bold, rich flavor of espresso. Drizzle in a little milk and a hint of simple syrup to balance out the flavor. It’s robust and refreshing: like a heightened take on your favorite iced coffee! For a delicious variation, try Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Espresso.
An Iced Americano is a drink made with hot water and espresso, served over ice. The classic hot Americano is bold and bitter, and diluting creamy espresso with hot water opens up its flavor and lets you enjoy the cup a little longer. An Iced Americano is ultra refreshing, with the same big, bold flavors you love from a great Americano.
An iced cappuccino is a coffee drink with espresso, milk, ice, and optional sweetener. It’s very similar to an iced latte, but served with cold foam (a la Starbucks). The Cold Foam is an extra fluffy, frothy layer mimics the steamed milk in a cappuccino and infuses an airy, lightly sweet lift to each sip.
An iced mocha is drink made with espresso, chocolate or chocolate syrup, and milk, served over ice. This one is so deliciously easy to make at home, you’ll never need to go to a coffeeshop again. Just four ingredients make a frothy, creamy drink that’s luxuriously sippable, balancing bitter espresso with real chocolate and frothy milk. Also try an Iced White Chocolate Mocha.
Red eye coffee is a coffee drink that combines drip coffee with one or two shots of espresso. Because when you just can’t pick between drip coffee and espresso, why not combine them? This drink is extra-caffeinated for those days where you need a little more to power through the day.
A Dirty Chai Latte takes traditional masala chai, a milky spiced tea from India, and combines it with frothy steamed milk of a latte plus a shot of espresso. The bitterness of coffee is just right for rounding out the subtle creamy sweetness. My spin on this drink is just sweet enough and spiced gently with a special blend of chai spices.
The Espresso Tonic is a drink that pairs tonic water and a double shot of espresso. It was invented in 2007 in Oslo, then spread to Sweden and became popular in the mid-2010s in the US in barista competitions. The sweet and bitter notes of tonic water accentuate the rich, bitter coffee, and the effervescent bubbles and hint of citrus add bright, refreshing notes.
Espresso Making Tools
There are a few special tools you’ll need to make all types of espresso drinks at home. There’s a variety of options and price ranges. Here’s an overview:
- Best choice: an espresso machine. You don’t need a countertop espresso machine to make any of the types of espresso drinks above. BUT, it’s much, much easier and they come out with better quality. The steamer steams milk to perfection, and you can pull the most beautiful creamy, espresso. Here’s the one we use: Countertop Espresso Machine.
- Cheaper option: manual espresso maker. A less expensive option is a manual espresso maker. It’s portable and it makes good espresso. You’ll need to use it in combination with a milk frothing tool (below). Here’s the one we use: Manual espresso maker
- Cheapest option: Aeropress. You can make espresso in an Aeropress coffee maker! It’s not nearly as good but it works. You’ll also need to get a milk frothing tool for lattes and cappuccinos. Here’s our recipe: Aeropress Espresso
- Milk frothing tools: milk frother, French press or whisk. For the frothing: a handheld milk frother is just $10 and works great! If you already have a French press, it’s great for frothing. Or you can go simple and just use a whisk (not as effective but does the trick).
20 Great Espresso Drinks: Latte & More
Here’s how to make a latte at home! This cafe latte has the best creamy body and frothy milk: it tastes even better than a coffee shop. (For the other espresso drink recipes: scroll up!)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Espresso
- Cuisine: Coffee
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 espresso shots (2 ounces)
- 4 ounces (½ cup) fresh whole milk*
Instructions
- Make the espresso: Use an espresso machine or manual espresso maker to make two shots of espresso and pour it into a mug (or try our Aeropress Espresso).
- Steaming method (espresso machine): Place the milk in a pitcher. Hold the steaming wand just below the surface of the milk until it doubles in size. This makes foamy froth. Then, move the steaming wand lower and near the side of the pitcher to create a spiral vortex. This makes the silky smooth microfoam bubbles and wet-paint texture that’s characteristic of a latte. Steam until the milk reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit (use a thermometer or judge by when your hand can’t hold the pitcher for more than a few seconds).
- OR, heat the milk to scalding and foam it (without espresso machine): Heat the milk to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot to the touch but not simmering. Measure with a food thermometer, or you can approximate by testing with your finger. Use a milk frother, French press or whisk to froth milk into small, even bubbles. For a latte you’ll want small bubbles and lightly thickened milk (if you’re using a milk frother, don’t go too far: you want the milk to mix in with the coffee so you don’t need too much froth). For the French press method, note that it’s useful to have at least 1 cup to have more milk to work with: this makes enough for 2 drinks. We highly recommend reading How to Froth Milk if this is your first time frothing. Wait 30 seconds to 1 minute to get the foam to incorporate into the milk and separate slightly (exact timing depends on your foaming method).
- Serve: Tap the milk container on counter and swirl it to break down any large bubbles. Pour milk into center of the espresso, ending with light foam.
Notes
*Whole milk works best; milk that is a few weeks old may not froth. You can also use oat milk for a vegan latte. The milk frother works well; for the French press pump vigorously until frothy, about 25 times. Do not overwhip, as the foam will deflate!
More Coffee Drinks
There are lots more ways to make coffee outside these espresso drinks! Here are some favorites:
Delightful espresso drinks Thanks
Espresso drinks are like mexican food….same thing on repeat in different ratios. Meat, cheese, wrapped in a tortilla = espresso, steamed milk (foam) in different ratios :)