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Types of Coffee Drinks
For many, ordering a cup of coffee can be an intimidating task due to the number of variations of coffee drinks that exist. With different sizes, levels of bold flavours and interesting names, simplify getting to know each coffee drink with this full list of every coffee drink type.
Espresso and Its Different Variations
Originating in Italy, this 40ml/1,4oz sized shot of coffee packs a strong punch of boldness and is a more concentrated version of coffee style drink. Espresso coffee is made from the same coffee beans as other drinks but is made using a designated espresso machine that combines hot water with ground coffee in a pressurized fashion which takes up to 30 seconds to complete. The result of the use of an espresso machine is a more thick and frothy type of coffee that has been concentrated into a single shot and served black.
Over time, espresso and the various drinks that are made with espresso have also been popularized in a cold version for enthusiasts to enjoy their espresso during hotter weather.
Under the espresso umbrella are a few common ways to order espresso drinks that vary in strength and size:
Doppio (A Double Shot of Espresso)
Lungo (A Long Shot of Espresso)
When translated to English, lungo simply means “long”. Ordering a lungo espresso refers to pulling the coffee in an espresso machine to yield more water in a single shot to give the espresso a milder and less concentrated flavour. A lungo shot of espresso looks about the same size as a doppio (double) espresso, although the difference is that a lungo is much more watered down with double the amount of hot water than a regular espresso shot.
The body of a lungo cup shows visibly less crema due to the amount of water and the temperature which affects the texture and the aromatic profile of the espresso. The thickeness crema in the lungo makes for an espresso shot that is more on the bitter side.
While some espresso consumers may be turned off by this, the benefit of a milder espresso can make for a more suitable drink to sip slowly and enjoy alongside company.
Ristretto (A Short Shot of Espresso)
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With less water found in a ristretto, this type of espresso is known to be stronger than a regular shot of espresso despite being smaller in size.
A ristretto espresso is much bolder in taste than a regular espresso due to the little amount of water used during the process of making it. A ristretto is known to be less bitter than a regular espresso and can also look frothier.
Americano (Espresso With Hot Water)
While American soldiers were stationed in Italy during World War 2, they were not accustomed to drinking the strong type of coffee that Italians had been consuming the entire time. To make up for its overpowering nature, the “caffe americano” drink was invented to dilute the boldness of an espresso while maintaining the same enjoyable flavours that an espresso offers.
It is said that the strength of an americano is as powerful as a regular drip coffee and is also commonly served in the same size as one as well. This drink is most popularly made following a 1:4 ratio of espresso to hot water despite also being made with a varied amount of water to taste.
Iced americanos have also become a popular alternative to the traditional americano served hot.
Milk-Based Coffee Drinks
Unlike the espresso, coffee can also be served in milk-based forms as well. Milk-based coffee gives drinkers a less bitter tasting coffee while also enhancing the overall texture of the drink. While mixing coffee with cold milk is a common way to spruce up a coffee, milk is also typically added to coffee in either a steamed or foamed state and are staples to many popular milk-based coffee drinks.
Below is a list of milk-based coffee drinks that each utilize milk in a specific way to provide coffee enthusiasts with different flavours and textures:
Cappuccino
Commonly served in a 150ml/5oz cup, a cappuccino combines equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. Originating in Italy, the cappuccino is a staple on coffee menus and is one of the more aesthetically pleasing drinks that can alternatively be ordered with ice. Skilled baristas have popularized the use of cappuccinos (and lattes) to create “latte art” using the froth of the drink before being served.
Combined with the natural sugars from the milk, the bold flavours of the espresso in the cappuccino are met with sweetness and creamy textures that have made this type of milk-based coffee drink a go-to for many enthusiasts.
Latte
While combining the same ingredients as a cappuccino, a latte is known to have a larger ratio of steamed milk as opposed to the equal parts found in a cappuccino. In a latte, the espresso and steamed milk are mixed together to better dilute the strength of the espresso with the milk and can also be ordered with ice, rather than ordered hot.
With a larger amount of steamed milk than a cappuccino, the latte is richer and creamier for those looking for a more subtle espresso drink option.
Espresso Macchiato
When translated from Italian to English, the loose term macchiato means “stained” or “mark”. In the case of this milk-based espresso drink, the “mark” refers to the foamed milk found on top of the espresso shot that provides a touch of sweetness without saturating the espresso itself.
The common ratio of espresso to milk foam found in an espresso macchiato is 2 to 1 to ensure that the milk is merely a compliment to the espresso shot. The size of an espresso macchiato is slightly larger than a regular espresso shot due to the added foam found on top of the drink.
Latte Macchiato
Unlike an espresso macchiato, a latte macchiato is equal parts espresso and steamed milk, with a foam milk finish. While the ingredients of a latte macchiato are similar to that of a latte, the order in which a barista adds the ingredients is what makes the latte macchiato unique. This drink is commonly looked at as an “espresso-first” milk-based drink which has the espresso sitting above the steamed milk rather than being mixed together as done in a regular latte.
This espresso-first drink gives enthusiasts the same touch of sweetness of an espresso macchiato, but a bolder espresso experience than a latte.
Flat White
Originating in Australia, the flat white was created out of interest for a cappuccino with much less of a milk foam finish. A flat white refers to the lesser amount of milk foam found on top of what would be the same ingredients as a cappuccino.
A flat white is more commonly looked at as a bolder alternative to both the latte and cappuccino drink for enthusiasts looking to taste the espresso more prominently in their milk-based drink. With less milk foam involved, a flat white is naturally a smaller sized drink than the latte and cappuccino.
Cortado
The cortado originates from Latin America and combines a 1:1 ratio of espresso to steamed milk. Unlike the Italian-based options, the cortado is not topped with any foamed milk and is commonly enjoyed by coffee enthusiasts looking to receive a no-frills combination of equal parts espresso and steamed milk.
When translating cortado from Spanish to English, cortado means “to cut” which refers to the milk cutting the flavour of the espresso in this classic combination of the two.
Dessert-Based Coffee Drinks
Aside from having coffee to start your day, coffee has also been known to be served as a nice treat after a hearty meal. Over time, coffee has become a refreshment to enjoy at any point in the day. As time has gone on, dessert-based coffee has risen in popularity by combining sweet ingredients for a more rich and decadent type of coffee beyond the steam milk and froth.
Affogato
The affogato is commonly served specifically as a dessert, despite still being served as a beverage across Italy. Variations of the affogato exist with baristas sometimes serving this dessert/beverage topped with flavoured syrup and a biscuit as garnish.
Mocha
For those with a sweet tooth and an affinity for espresso, the mocha is a popular go-to drink. This milk-based drink is best described as a latte with 1-4 pumps of chocolate syrup and was popularized in the U.S. yet inspired by the origins of its Italian predecessor. The history of the mocha drink dates back to the 1700s in Turin, Italy where the bicerin drink originates from which combines espresso, milk and chocolate.
Baristas commonly place the steamed milk and milk foam atop the chocolate syrup which sits on top of the espresso.
Frappe
Originating in Greece, the first version of the frappe was created using instant coffee. As it gained popularity, the rest of the world began to popularize the use of espresso in place of the Greek instant coffee.
Today, the frappe is known as an iced coffee dessert that blends espresso, milk, ice and sugar into a creamy drink that is reminiscent of a milkshake. With no exact measurement of ingredients aside from the shot of espresso, a frappe is blended and shaken until the drink gains its rich and foamy consistency. Frappes are almost always topped with whipped cream, syrup or any other sweet addition to complete the frappe as a dessert-based coffee drink.
Comparing the Drinks
Whether you are creating these coffee-based drinks at home or deciding to explore the menu at the coffee shop, understanding what goes into each drink can help make a better-informed decision on what to drink. See the following chart to cross-reference each drink:
With newfound knowledge of each coffee drink, it is important to know that acquiring an espresso machine and brewing espresso shots is made easy with Nespresso. Shop from a wide selection of coffee and espresso machines that allow you to make espresso-based drinks easily and quickly from the comfort of your own home.
