A macchiato is an espresso drink “stained” with a small amount of milk. The word macchiato means “stained” or “marked” in Italian — the milk marks the espresso rather than diluting it. Depending on the version, that can mean a drop of foam on a shot of espresso, or a layered drink with espresso over steamed milk.
There are three very different drinks that go by the name “macchiato,” and they taste nothing alike. This guide covers all of them.
The 3 Types of Macchiato
| Type | Size | What It Is | Milk Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso macchiato | 1–1.5 oz | Double espresso with a small dollop of foam | ~10% milk |
| Latte macchiato | 6–8 oz | Steamed milk “stained” with espresso poured through | ~75% milk |
| Starbucks macchiato | 12–24 oz | Flavored latte with drizzle on top | 60–80% milk |
Espresso Macchiato
An espresso macchiato is a double shot of espresso with a small dollop of steamed milk foam on top. It is the traditional Italian version — strong, bold, and barely modified by the milk.
The milk “marks” the espresso — just enough to soften the crema and cut the sharpest edge of the bitterness. The drink remains espresso-forward. You taste the shot first.
Espresso Macchiato Recipe
What you’ll need:
- Espresso machine
- Burr grinder
- Small steaming pitcher or pitcher
Ingredients:
- 1 double espresso (2 oz / 60ml) — 17–19g of ground coffee
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) of steamed whole milk foam
Steps:
- Pull a double espresso into a small espresso cup (2–3 oz / 60–90ml).
- Steam a small amount of whole milk in your pitcher — just enough for 1 tablespoon of foam.
- Use a spoon to place a small dollop of foam in the center of the espresso crema.
- Serve immediately.
Taste profile: Strong, bold, espresso-dominant. The milk rounds the edges without masking the coffee.
When to drink it: After meals, as an afternoon pick-up. Preferred by espresso drinkers who want the smallest possible milk modification.
Latte Macchiato
A latte macchiato is a large glass of steamed milk “stained” with a shot of espresso poured through the foam. This is the layered, Instagram-friendly version — espresso on top, milk below, foam on top with the espresso floating as a visible layer.
In a latte macchiato, the milk is the dominant ingredient. The drink is much milder than an espresso macchiato.
Latte Macchiato vs Regular Latte
| Latte Macchiato | Regular Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso added to | Milk (poured through) | Cup first |
| Layers visible? | Yes — espresso floats | No — well-mixed |
| Size | 6–8 oz | 8–12 oz |
| Espresso flavor | Milder, diluted | More integrated |
| Milk ratio | ~75% | ~70% |
Latte Macchiato Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 double espresso (2 oz / 60ml)
- 5–6 oz whole milk, steamed with microfoam
Steps:
- Steam 5–6 oz of whole milk to 140–150°F (60–65°C) with a good layer of microfoam on top.
- Pour the steamed milk into a tall glass first.
- Pull a double espresso shot.
- Pour the espresso slowly over the foam — it will sink through slightly and create a layer above the milk but below the top foam.
- Serve without stirring to preserve the layers.
Tip: A cooler milk temperature (lower end of range) helps the espresso float and creates a cleaner layer separation.
Starbucks Macchiato — What’s Actually In It?
A Starbucks Caramel Macchiato is not a traditional macchiato. It is a vanilla latte with espresso poured on top and caramel drizzle. The espresso is added last (which is where the Italian “marked” concept is loosely applied), but the drink is much sweeter and larger than any traditional version.
- Starbucks Caramel Macchiato (Grande, 16 oz): Vanilla syrup, steamed milk, 2 shots of espresso poured on top, caramel drizzle
- Caffeine: ~150mg per Grande
- Flavor: Sweet, milky, caramel-forward — not particularly espresso-forward
If you order a “macchiato” at an Italian espresso bar and expect a Caramel Macchiato, you’ll get an espresso macchiato — a tiny, strong, foam-dotted shot.
Macchiato vs Latte: What’s the Difference?
A macchiato (espresso macchiato) is much smaller and stronger than a latte. A traditional espresso macchiato is 1–1.5 oz. A latte is 8–12 oz. The milk-to-espresso ratio makes them completely different drinks.
| Espresso Macchiato | Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 1–1.5 oz | 8–12 oz |
| Espresso | 1–2 shots | 1–2 shots |
| Milk | ~1 tbsp foam | 5–8 oz steamed milk |
| Flavor | Strong, espresso-forward | Mild, milk-forward |
| Foam | Small dollop | Thin microfoam layer |
If you want strong coffee flavor with minimal milk, choose an espresso macchiato. If you want a milder, creamy espresso drink, choose a latte.
Macchiato vs Cappuccino: What’s the Difference?
An espresso macchiato has much less milk than a cappuccino. A cappuccino is a 6 oz drink with roughly equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and dense foam. A macchiato is just espresso with a dab of foam — no steamed milk layer.
| Espresso Macchiato | Cappuccino | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 1–1.5 oz | 5–6 oz |
| Espresso | 1–2 shots | 1–2 shots |
| Steamed milk | None | ~2 oz |
| Foam | Small dollop only | ~2 oz thick foam |
| Flavor | Strongest | Balanced, rich |
How Much Caffeine Is in a Macchiato?
A traditional espresso macchiato has 63–130mg of caffeine, depending on whether it uses one or two shots of espresso. A Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Grande has about 150mg (2 shots).
| Macchiato Type | Caffeine |
|---|---|
| Single-shot espresso macchiato | ~63 mg |
| Double-shot espresso macchiato | ~126 mg |
| Latte macchiato (2 shots) | ~126 mg |
| Starbucks Caramel Macchiato (Grande) | ~150 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a macchiato sweet? A traditional espresso macchiato is not sweet — it’s just espresso with a small amount of unsweetened milk foam. A Starbucks Caramel Macchiato is sweet because it includes vanilla syrup and caramel drizzle.
Can you make a macchiato without an espresso machine? You can make a strong approximation using a Moka pot, AeroPress, or Nespresso machine. The key is a concentrated coffee shot — regular drip coffee is too weak and watery for a macchiato.
What milk works best in a macchiato? Whole milk produces the richest foam for a traditional espresso macchiato. For a latte macchiato, whole milk or oat milk barista edition gives the best texture and layer separation.
How is a macchiato different from a cortado? A cortado uses a 1:1 ratio of espresso to warm (not foamy) milk — typically 2 oz espresso and 2 oz steamed milk. An espresso macchiato uses just a dab of foam, no steamed milk. A cortado is less intense and slightly larger.
Related Guides
- Latte Recipe: How to Make a Latte at Home — Full milk technique and ratio guide
- Cappuccino Recipe: The Classic Ratio — Dense foam technique
- Cortado: The 1:1 Espresso Drink — For espresso-forward milk drinks
- Getting Started with Home Espresso — Equipment and technique overview