Macchiato

A flat white is a 5–6 oz espresso drink with silky microfoam integrated throughout. A macchiato is a 1–2 oz espresso shot with just a small amount of milk foam on top — no steamed milk, no volume. The macchiato is one of the most concentrated, coffee-forward drinks you can order. The flat white is creamy and smooth while still being espresso-dominant. Flat White vs Macchiato at a Glance Flat White Macchiato (Traditional) Size 5–6 oz (150–180ml) 2–3 oz (60–90ml) Espresso 2 shots (double) 1–2 shots Milk ~4 oz silky microfoam Tablespoon of foam only Foam type Integrated microfoam Dry foam “mark” on top Caffeine ~128 mg ~64–128 mg Calories ~120 kcal (whole milk) ~10–15 kcal Flavor Rich, creamy, espresso-forward Intense espresso with minimal milk Strength ★★★★☆ ★★★★★ Closest drink Flat white ≈ small latte Macchiato ≈ espresso + foam What Is a Flat White? A flat white originated in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. It’s a double shot of espresso with approximately 4 oz of whole milk textured into silky microfoam — no thick foam layer on top, just a thin, glossy surface. ...

A macchiato is a 1–2 oz espresso “marked” with a small spoonful of foam. A cappuccino is a 5–6 oz drink built from equal thirds of espresso, steamed milk, and thick foam. The macchiato barely modifies the espresso; the cappuccino transforms it into a creamy, balanced milk drink. If you want something close to a straight espresso with just a touch of milk to soften the edge, that’s a macchiato. If you want a properly foamy milk drink that still lets the espresso come through, that’s a cappuccino. ...

A cortado is equal parts espresso and steamed milk (1:1 ratio). A macchiato is espresso with just a small “mark” of milk foam or a dash of steamed milk — far less milk than a cortado. Both are small, concentrated drinks, but the macchiato is bolder and more espresso-forward while the cortado is softer and more balanced. Here is the full breakdown. At a Glance Feature Cortado Espresso Macchiato Size 4–5 oz (120–150ml) 1–2 oz (30–60ml) Espresso 2 shots (60ml) 1–2 shots (30–60ml) Milk ~60ml steamed milk Dash of foam or 1–2 tsp steamed milk Milk ratio 1:1 espresso to milk ~1:0.2 espresso to milk Foam Light microfoam, minimal Small dollop of foam Flavor Balanced, slightly softened espresso Intense espresso, barely softened Origin Spain Italy Glass Small gibraltar or rocks glass Standard espresso cup What Is a Cortado? A cortado (from the Spanish cortar, meaning “to cut”) is a double espresso cut with an equal volume of steamed, low-foam milk. The milk softens the espresso’s acidity and bitterness without diluting it into a latte. The result is a smooth, intense drink where espresso still dominates but the sharp edges are rounded off. ...

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. ...

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. ...