Cuban Coffee

A cortadito is a Cuban espresso drink made by combining equal parts café cubano (sweetened Cuban espresso with espumita foam) and steamed whole milk — typically 2 oz espresso to 2 oz milk, served in a small 4 oz glass. It is sweeter and more layered than a Spanish cortado: the espresso is whipped with sugar before brewing finishes, creating a caramelized golden foam called espumita. If you’ve only had a Spanish cortado, the cortadito will taste richer, sweeter, and more dessert-like — and the espumita on top is the giveaway that you’re drinking the real thing. ...

Café cubano is a strong, sweet Cuban espresso distinguished by its espumita — a thick caramel-colored foam made by whipping the first drops of espresso with sugar into a paste before combining with the full shot. The result is an intense, slightly sweet espresso with a creamy foam layer you don’t get from regular espresso. Also called cafecito, café cubano is the defining coffee drink of Cuban culture and Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. ...