Espresso Drinks Explained: Latte, Cappuccino and More
Yes, a latte has espresso, and so do cappuccinos, flat whites, macchiatos, cortados, mochas and americanos. They are all built on one or two shots of espresso. What separates them is how much steamed milk, milk foam or water is added: a latte is mostly milk, a cappuccino has more foam, and a macchiato has only a spoonful.
Key takeaways
- Every drink on a typical cafe menu starts with espresso.
- Latte: lots of steamed milk, thin foam. Cappuccino: less milk, thick foam.
- Macchiato and cortado are small and strong. Americano has water instead of milk.
- Exact sizes and recipes vary between cafes and countries.
A cafe menu looks like a long list of different drinks. It is really one ingredient, espresso, combined with different amounts of milk, foam or water. Once you see the pattern, the whole menu makes sense, and you can make any of them at home.
The drinks at a glance
| Drink | Espresso | Steamed milk | Foam | Typical size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 or 2 shots | None | None | 1 to 2 oz |
| Macchiato | 1 or 2 shots | None | A spoonful | 2 to 3 oz |
| Cortado | 2 shots | Equal to the espresso | Very little | 4 oz |
| Flat white | 2 shots | About 4 oz | Thin, velvety | 5 to 6 oz |
| Cappuccino | 1 or 2 shots | About 2 to 3 oz | Thick layer | 5 to 6 oz |
| Latte | 1 or 2 shots | 6 to 10 oz | Thin layer | 8 to 12 oz and up |
| Mocha | 1 or 2 shots | 6 to 8 oz, plus chocolate | Thin layer | 8 to 12 oz |
| Americano | 1 or 2 shots | None; hot water | None | 6 to 12 oz |
Recipes differ between cafes and countries. Treat these as typical, not fixed.
Espresso
The base of everything: a small, concentrated shot. Covered in what espresso is.
Macchiato
Espresso “marked” with a small spoonful of milk foam. It softens the edge of the shot without diluting it. Note that a caramel macchiato from a chain cafe is a different, much larger and sweeter drink, closer to a flavored latte.
Cortado
Espresso cut with roughly an equal amount of warm milk and very little foam. Strong, smooth and small.
Flat white
A double shot with a modest amount of finely textured milk and only a thin layer of microfoam. It tastes stronger than a latte because there is less milk for the same espresso.
Cappuccino
Traditionally equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foam, in a small cup. The thick foam gives it a lighter, airier feel and a stronger coffee taste than a latte. See how to make a cappuccino.
Latte
Espresso with a lot of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. It is the mildest and creamiest of the group, and the usual base for flavored drinks and latte art. See how to make a latte.
Mocha
A latte with chocolate syrup or cocoa stirred into the espresso, often topped with whipped cream.
Americano
Espresso diluted with hot water. It has the size and strength of a regular coffee with the flavor of espresso. See how to make an americano.
Do all of these contain espresso?
Yes. People often ask whether a latte, cappuccino, macchiato or mocha “has espresso.” Every one of them does. A latte without espresso is simply steamed milk.
How many shots are in each?
It varies by cafe and size, but as a rule small drinks have one shot and medium or large ones have two. We go through it in how many shots of espresso are in a latte.
Which is strongest?
In coffee flavor, from strongest to mildest:
- Espresso
- Macchiato
- Cortado
- Flat white
- Cappuccino
- Latte
Caffeine depends only on the number of shots, not on the milk. A two-shot latte and a two-shot cortado contain the same caffeine.
Iced versions
Most of these can be made cold. Pour espresso over ice and add cold milk for an iced latte, or cold water for an iced americano. See how to make iced espresso drinks.
Making them at home
You need espresso and a way to heat and froth milk. A steam wand is best; see how to steam milk with an espresso machine. Without a machine, a strong brew and a handheld frother get you close, as described in how to make espresso without a machine.
Each drink has a cup size that suits it; see the best espresso cups. For steaming, see the best milk frothing pitchers.
Frequently asked questions
Does a latte have espresso in it?
Yes. A latte is one or two shots of espresso topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Without the espresso it would just be steamed milk.
What is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?
Both use the same espresso. A latte has more steamed milk and only a thin layer of foam, so it is milder and creamier. A cappuccino has less milk and a thicker layer of foam, so it tastes stronger.
What is espresso with milk called?
It depends on how much milk. A dash of foam is a macchiato, an equal amount of milk is a cortado, and a lot of steamed milk is a latte or flat white.