Coffee Drinks

The latte is the most ordered coffee drink globally, particularly in the US, UK, and Australia. It combines espresso with steamed milk in roughly a 1:3 ratio, creating a mild, creamy drink accessible to almost everyone. Cappuccino dominates in Italy and parts of Europe, while black drip coffee remains the default in Scandinavia and much of the American Midwest.

Both use espresso and steamed milk, but the ratio differs. A latte is mostly steamed milk with a thin layer of foam (roughly 1:3 espresso to milk). A cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam (1:1:1), making it stronger, less milky, and more texturally distinct. Cappuccinos are smaller (5-6oz) while lattes are typically 8-16oz.

A cortado is a Spanish-origin drink made with equal parts espresso and warm steamed milk, typically served in a 4oz glass. The milk "cuts" (corta) the espresso's acidity without drowning the coffee flavor. It has minimal foam compared to a cappuccino and is smaller than a flat white. Think of it as the espresso drink for people who want to actually taste the espresso.

Cold brew concentrate is significantly stronger than regular coffee, typically brewed at a 1:4 to 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio. When served as concentrate, it has 200+ mg of caffeine per 12oz. However, most cafes dilute it with water or milk before serving. At typical serving strength, cold brew has comparable or slightly higher caffeine than drip coffee, with a smoother, less acidic taste.

A macchiato has the least milk of any milk-based espresso drink. The traditional Italian macchiato is a single or double espresso with just a dollop (1-2 tablespoons) of foamed milk on top. A cortado comes next with equal parts espresso and milk. Note that chain-store "macchiatos" (like Starbucks) are actually flavored lattes and bear no resemblance to the original.