While there are dozens of different milk drinks out there to enjoy, there are 4 that really take the prize as the most influential and popular. Today we’re here to break them down and show you how to make them at home!
The Cappuccino
The cappuccino is easily one of the most popular coffee drinks of all time. This drink was originally developed in the late 1800s and used whip cream in place of steamed milk. A few decades later as milk steaming became more possible and popular across cafe style espresso machines, the cappuccino was typically made with one part espresso, one part steamed milk, and one part milk foam on top.
Most cappuccinos today feature less foam than in the past, as many baristas like to incorporate art and microfoam, which are harder to control with thicker layers.
Making a cappuccino is all about the ratios. While you might want less foam, ultimately this is a strong drink with equal parts milk and espresso, then as much foam as you like added on top. The result is bold and very much highlights the flavor of the espresso.
If you want something a little less strong then we might recommend a beverage that we’re sure you’ve had many times…
The Cafe Latte
The cappuccino is beloved, but the latte really takes the prize for being the go-to milk drink for most cafe goers. While we’ve been adding milk to coffee for many decades, the latte was only really defined right here in Seattle some 40 years ago.
A latte is traditionally 1 part espresso, 4 parts milk, then a thin layer of microfoam on top. This microfoam is also how that wonderful latte art your favorite barista always makes pours it. To make this drink at home the real trick is in learning to create that thin layer of foam. To do this you’ll want to check out a guide (such as the one we have here) for how to best hold and control your milk pitcher during steaming.
Next up, we have a drink that is as controversial as it is delicious (in our opinion of course)!
The Flat White
The controversy around this drink comes from its origins. While it was developed around the same time as the latte, cafes in both Australia and New Zealand claim they created it, leading to contention you’d expect!
To make this drink, you’ll combine 1 part espresso (often a stronger ristretto shot) and 3 parts milk with a thin layer of microfoam. If you really want to make a proper flat white it’s key to really nail that foam, creating a layer of it that has the appearance of something like wet paint, rather than bubbly, airy foam. This will help in giving the drink its signature sweetness.
You may find it particularly hard to build this drink without a traditional steam arm, as automated steamers sometimes struggle to create microfoam of the generally desired quality.
The Cortado
The word Cortado means “cut” in the drink’s native country of Spain. The strongest drink on our list today, this drink is one part espresso, one part milk, and a very thin layer of microfoam. The result is, as noted, a very coffee forward experience that you will definitely enjoy if you like black coffee.
For many, the cortado is a great way to try out specific beans, as it really keeps the flavor profile of your shot intact, rather than diluting it with a larger amount of milk. Making this drink at home, again, relies on the microfoam quality, but it is traditionally a little less reliant on this as a part of its identity compared to the flat white.
If you’d like to learn more about these drinks you can check out the video below! Be sure to let us know what your favorite drink is here in the comments.