Drink basics

Espresso Drink Guide

Understand common espresso, milk and water drinks without treating café names as globally fixed recipes.

By Daniel R. AshcombeReviewed 2026-07-25Educational guide

Names vary by café and country

Espresso drink names describe useful families, but cup sizes and ratios are not universal. Ask what a café serves or define a household recipe by measured espresso and added liquid.

Common drink families

DrinkTypical idea
EspressoConcentrated coffee brewed under pressure
AmericanoEspresso diluted with hot water
MacchiatoEspresso marked with a small amount of milk
CortadoEspresso with a modest amount of textured milk
Flat whiteEspresso with a thin layer of fine microfoam
CappuccinoEspresso with more aerated milk
LatteEspresso with a larger milk portion

Create house recipes

Choose a cup, espresso yield and milk or water amount. Record those quantities so several people can make the same drink.

Recipe names are less useful than measured amounts when comparing machines or planning capacity.
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