If you’re looking for a small coffee drink that still packs big flavor, you can’t go wrong with either of them, but what’s the difference between cortado vs macchiato? Let’s take a closer look.
I love a big cup of coffee, whether it’s a mocha, a latte, or just freshly brewed drip coffee. But sometimes I only need a small espresso drink to satisfy my java cravings.
When that’s the case, I turn to either a cortado or a macchiato. Both feature espresso as a main ingredient, but each has a very different flavor and texture profile.
In this guide, I’ll break down what’s in each drink, how they differ, and how to make them at home.
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What’s in a macchiato?
Generally, a macchiato contains one or two shots of espresso with a bit of steamed milk foam on top.
It’s served in a 2-3 oz cup and has a bold coffee flavor, as the espresso itself isn’t diluted with milk or water, like in a Cappuccino or Americano for example.
The macchiato is said to have its roots in Italy — “macchiato” is the Italian word for “stained”. It’s believed that it began as a way for restaurant baristas to easily let waiters know which drinks were straight espresso and which included a bit of milk. So they marked — or stained — them with foamed milk.
These days, there are two main types of macchiato:
- espresso macchiato
- latte macchiato
An espresso macchiato, or the original type of drink, has one shot of espresso, with 1 or 2 teaspoons of steamed milk foam. This variation lets the espresso shine, with the milk helping to slightly soften the strong coffee flavor.
In a latte macchiato, steamed milk is first poured into a tall glass, then a shot or two of espresso is added, along with a topping of steamed milk foam. This drink is more milk-forward, with a subtle coffee taste. Sometimes, other ingredients like caramel will be added to make a caramel macchiato.
In Italy, most macchiatos will include one shot of espresso with a dollop of steamed milk, whereas in the United States, it’s not uncommon for them to be made with two shots. A variation of the drink called Café Pingado (meaning “drop” for the drop of milk added) is popular in Portugal.
And in Spain, you can order a similar drink called a Cortado. So just what is a cortado? Keep reading, coffee lovers!
What’s in a cortado?
A traditional cortado is a small coffee drink that consists of two espresso shots mixed with an equal amount of steamed milk. It’s usually served in a 4.5 oz glass.
“Cortado” is the Spanish word for “cut” or “chopped,” and it refers to the milk used in the drink, which is meant to cut through the strong flavor and acidity of the espresso.
It’s uncommon to see a cortado served in a large cup at specialty coffee shops, due to the specific ratios of the ingredients required to get the right flavor and texture.
In terms of taste, the equal amount of milk to espresso gives the drink a mellower taste than a macchiato, but you still get a pleasant, yet not overpowering, coffee flavor. The steamed milk also gives it a smoother texture.
How to make a macchiato
You only need a couple of ingredients to make macchiato: espresso and steamed milk. And while it helps to have the right equipment, you don’t necessarily need an espresso maker. You just need something that can produce very rich coffee.
Here’s how to make a macchiato:
- Make a single shot of espresso or rich coffee.
- Add the espresso shot to a small cup.
- Warm up 1/4 cup milk in the microwave or on the stovetop and froth it with a whisk or milk frother — or use an espresso machine steam wand. You won’t need it all, just the foam on top.
- Scoop the milk foam with a spoon and gently place it over the top of the espresso.
- Enjoy!
How to make a cortado
Just follow these easy steps to make a cortado:
- Add two shots of espresso to a 4.5 oz glass.
- Steam 2 oz of milk, either with your espresso machine’s steam wand or on the stovetop with a whisk until you have a frothy texture.
- Add 2 oz of steamed milk to the espresso in the cup.
- Now you can enjoy your cortado!
💡Tip: If you don’t have an espresso maker, use a regular coffee maker that has a “rich” setting to make a strong, small cup of coffee. If you have a Keurig or Nespresso machine, use the espresso setting and just use equal parts espresso and milk.
What are the differences between a macchiato vs cortado?
Now that we know how to make these espresso drinks, here’s a breakdown of the key differences between them.
Macchiato
Origin – Believed to have originated in Italy in the 1980s.
Ingredients – Espresso, small amount of milk foam. Can be made with a single or double shot of espresso (called a doppio espresso macchiato).
Size – Typically around 2-3 oz, but variations on the traditional macchiato can be made in larger sizes.
Taste – Strong espresso flavor.
Caffeine Content – About 65-130 mg of caffeine, depending on whether it’s made with 1 or 2 espresso shots.
Average Calories – around 10 for a traditional macchiato.
Cortado
Origin – Spain.
Ingredients – Equal parts espresso and steamed milk. Usually 2 ounces of espresso are used.
Size – Typically around 4 oz.
Taste – Mellow coffee flavor with a smooth, milky texture.
Caffeine Content – About 130 mg of caffeine.
Average Calories – About 45.
Are there cortado variations?
Yes, a cortado condensada is made with sweetened, condensed milk. A Cuban version of a cortado — called a Cortadito — can be sweetened with condensed milk or some sugar.
And a cortado can also be referred to as a Gibraltar, due to the ridged, small glass of the same name that the drink is commonly served in.
In addition, cow’s milk in a cortado can be substituted for non-dairy varieties that still steam well, like almond milk or oat milk.
FAQ
A latte has more milk, and milk flavor, than a macchiato. It can contain 1-2 shots of espresso, along with a large amount of steamed milk. And it has a milk foam layer on top. A macchiato is topped with just a dollop of milk foam over 1-2 espresso shots. That gives macchiatos a much stronger coffee taste.
Both are espresso-based drinks made with steamed milk, but a flat white has more milk than a cortado. And the milk is both steamed and lightly frothed. That creates a thin layer of microfoam that mixes with the espresso and creates a rich, creamy texture.
A flat white is also sometimes amde with a smaller, but stronger ristretto shot of espresso. This can give it a more intense coffee flavor than a cortado.
A caramel macchiato is made with espresso and much more milk than a traditional macchiato. It also can include both vanilla syrup and caramel sauce. The resulting drink resembles a sweet latte.
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