Macchiato vs Latte: What's the Difference? (All Three Types Explained)

A macchiato is a tiny 2–3 oz drink — a shot of espresso “stained” with a small dollop of foam. A latte is 8–12 oz of espresso with lots of steamed milk and a thin microfoam layer. They are not similar drinks. The macchiato is espresso-forward and intense; the latte is milk-forward and mild. The confusion mostly comes from the Starbucks latte macchiato, which is a completely different animal from the traditional Italian espresso macchiato. ...

April 7, 2026 · 6 min · Barista At Home