Espresso Drinks: 8 Drinks Explained, Ratios, and How to Make Them

Every espresso drink starts the same way: a double shot pulled at 9 bars through 18 to 20g of finely ground coffee in 25 to 30 seconds. The 8 most common espresso drinks differ only in what is added to that shot and in what proportion. Understanding the ratios makes every coffee shop menu readable and most drinks reproducible at home.

This guide covers 8 major espresso drinks, their ratios, and how to make them at home.

8 Espresso Drinks at a Glance

The 8 Major Espresso Drinks Explained

The SCA defines espresso as 7 to 12g of coffee per shot extracted with 9 bars of pressure in 20 to 30 seconds. A doppio is simply a double shot , 2 oz of espresso from 18 to 20g of coffee. Most modern drinks are built on the doppio, not the single. See our espresso extraction guide for the full parameter breakdown behind a correctly pulled shot.

A macchiato is espresso marked with a small amount of milk foam , enough to soften intensity without diluting the shot. It is the smallest milk-based drink and the espresso flavor dominates. A cortado is a double shot with equal steamed milk. The 1:1 ratio cuts acidity without burying the espresso in milk. The cortado sits between the macchiato and cappuccino in intensity. See our steamed milk guide for how to texture milk correctly for each of these drinks.

An Americano is a double espresso with hot water added after extraction at a 2:1 or 3:1 water-to-espresso ratio. The result is a longer, drip-strength drink with the body of espresso. Adding water after extraction preserves the crema. Brewing into water first destroys it. An Americano is not drip coffee. The extraction method and flavor profile are distinct.

These three share the same base , a double espresso with steamed milk , but differ in ratio and milk texture. A cappuccino is 1:1:1 , equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and thick foam , the most intense of the three. A latte uses more milk at a 1:3 to 1:4 ratio with only a thin foam layer. The espresso is present but the milk dominates. A flat white uses a ristretto double at a 1:2 ratio with tighter microfoam , stronger than a latte, silkier than a cappuccino. See our steamed milk guide for how foam texture differs across these drinks.

Making These Drinks at Home

All 8 espresso drinks require a strong espresso base. Without a machine, an AeroPress or Moka pot produces the concentrated base for Americanos, macchiatos, and milk drinks. The AeroPress at 1:4 or 1:5 produces a shot-strength concentrate. The Moka pot reaches similar intensity. Neither is true espresso, but both work well for home milk drinks. See our AeroPress guide and Moka pot guide for how to brew espresso-strength coffee without a machine.

For true espresso machine output, see our espresso at home guide. Browse our premium whole bean coffee , including Brewtal Awakening dark roast , shipped within 1 to 2 business days.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ratio and foam. A cappuccino is 1:1:1 in a 5 to 6 oz cup , equal espresso, steamed milk, and thick foam. A latte is 1:3 to 1:4 in a 10 to 12 oz cup with a thin foam layer. The cappuccino is stronger and drier. The latte is milkier and smoother. Both use a double espresso base.

Two things: the shot and the milk volume. A flat white uses a ristretto double at 1:2 in a 5 to 6 oz cup. A latte uses a standard double at 1:3 to 1:4 in a 10 to 12 oz cup. The flat white is stronger, smaller, and uses tighter microfoam with less air than a latte. See our steamed milk guide for how microfoam differs from latte foam.

A cortado is a double shot with equal steamed milk. The 1:1 ratio cuts intensity without masking the espresso. A macchiato is a shot with a small foam dot on top. The foam marks the espresso without adding significant volume. The cortado is larger and creamier. The macchiato is bolder and closer to a straight espresso.

By concentration, the single espresso or doppio , undiluted shots. The flat white delivers the strongest espresso character in a milk drink. By caffeine per fluid ounce, espresso leads all coffee beverages. A 1 oz shot has 60 to 70mg of caffeine. See our caffeine guide for exact caffeine comparisons by drink and size.

Dark or medium-dark roast whole bean ground fresh immediately before brewing. Dark roast holds up against milk in cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites with bold, caramel, and chocolate notes. Medium roast works well for Americanos and macchiatos where the origin character can come through. Light roast is uncommon but works in a flat white at lower extraction temperatures. Browse our premium coffee for dark and medium roast whole bean options.

Fresh Beans for Every Espresso Drink

Browse our premium whole bean coffee , dark, medium, and light roast , all shipped within 1 to 2 business days of roasting.

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