Check out this ultimate guide about types of coffee drinks. Find out the differences and know what to order next time at a coffee shop.
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I remember occasionally ordering not what I really wanted at coffee shops because I used to confuse types of coffee drinks all the time. Of course, I knew that espresso was a small strong drink, cappuccino is a coffee with milk foam, and latte is almost a glass of milk covering a shot of espresso. But what about mocha, macchiato, or Frappuccino?
If you have the same problem at coffee shops, let’s figure out what is what and how to choose what you like.
Types of Coffee Drinks
To help you navigate among various types of coffee drinks, here are some basic categories:
Hot coffee drinks
Coffee drinks with add-ons
Iced coffee drinks
International coffee drinks
Hot coffee drinks
Plain coffee:
- Black – ground coffee brewed with no add-ons. Most of the time, it is a very simple hot coffee drink. Sugar, milk, or cream can be added.
- Espresso – a very strong black coffee. The ratio of dry ground coffee and water is approximately 1:1. Therefore the final drink is very saturated and strong, which makes it a great base for various coffee drinks. Espresso creates the base for other coffee drink types. Keep in mind that the USA’s default espresso size is double, compared to Europe, where the default espresso size is a single shot.
- Americano – espresso shot with hot water. The espresso to water ratio in americano is 1:1.
- Ristretto – a stronger version of espresso with two times less water used. While in espresso, the dry coffee to water ratio is 1:1, in ristretto, the dry coffee to water ratio is 2:1.
Coffee with Add-ons
Various types of coffee drinks differ only in the ratio of espresso and add-ons like milk, milk foam, cream, whipped cream, chocolate, and different sweet syrups.
- Latte – espresso/steamed milk/milk foam suggested amount are 2-4 oz/8-10 oz/0,5 inch. In most coffee shops, latte has two shots of espresso, 10 oz of steamed milk, and a thin layer of milk foam.
- Cappuccino – espresso/steamed milk/milk foam in the ratio 1:1:1. The difference between latte and cappuccino is that amount of milk in latte has 4 times more milk than a cappuccino. Therefore, if you prefer a more milky drink, go for a latte. If you wish to taste the flavor of coffee milk-coated then choose cappuccino.
- Espresso Con Panna – espresso shot topped with whipped cream.
- Flat White – espresso/steamed milk in a ratio of 1:2.
- Macchiato – a shot of espresso with a dash of milk or a spoon of milk foam.
- Mocha – espresso/steamed milk/milk foam in a ratio of 1:1:1 with an additional layer of chocolate syrup or cacao powder over espresso. Think of mocha as a sweet chocolate version of a cappuccino.
- Cafe Au lait – black coffee with steamed milk. Basically, it is a very light version of a latte.
- Affogato – a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of gelato.
- Breve – espresso/half-and-half ratio 1:1:1. Basically, it is a very creamy version of cappuccino with a smooth texture.
- Doppio – double espresso.
- Cortado – espresso/warm milk/milk foam in ratio 1:1.
- Cortadito – black coffee/warm milk in ratio 1:1.
- Red Eye – black coffee with an extra shot of espresso.
- Lungo – espresso variety with more water than a regular espresso. The espresso to water ratio is 1:1.
- Caffe Gommosa – espresso poured over a marshmallow.
- Cafe Zorro – double espresso/hot water in the ratio of 1:1.
- Guillermo – double espresso over ice.
- Espressino – equal parts of espresso and steamed milk with cacao powder at the bottom of a cup
- Antoccino – equal parts of espresso and steamed milk.
Iced Coffee Drinks
- Iced Coffee – espresso/ice/milk in a ratio of 1:2:2. Additionally, some add syrups create a sweet taste.
- Frappuccino – espresso/ice/milk in a ration of 1:2:2 with chocolate fudge, caramel sauce, and/or whipped cream.
- Cold Brew – black coffee that is steeped in warm water for up to 36 hours. The longer coffee is steeped, the stronger it gets, becomes less acidic, and with more caffeine.
- Nitro – a cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen bubbles; think of it as a coffee-based soda or a coffee-beer.
- Mazagran – espresso/ice in the ration 1:2 plus sugar, lemon, and some even add rum.
International Coffee Drinks
- Turkish Coffee – a coffee drink prepared from very finely ground coffee in a special coffee pot called a cezve. Sometimes coffee is brewed with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The final drink is very strong and flavorful.
- Irish – black coffee with whiskey, sugar, and sometimes whipped cream.
- Vietnamese coffee – espresso/ice in a ratio of 1:1 with condensed milk.
- Cafe Cubano – black coffee with demerara or cane sugar.
- Cafe Con Hielo – Spanish drink that is consists of espresso poured over ice.
- Carajillo – another Spanish drink that consists of espresso and hard liquor in a ratio of 1:1.
- Galao – Portuguese drink with espresso/milk foam in ratio of 1:3.
Final thoughts
There are many types of coffee drinks that even those to think they don’t like coffee can find a drink that will satisfy them. For example, I have a person in my household who claimed to dislike coffee and be a tea-person until the first cup of good Italian Espresso happened and converted him into coffee religion.
As for me, I’m a Turkish Coffee person. All the spices that create an incredible aroma in Turkish coffee attract me in that drink.
What about you? What types of coffee drinks do you like? Please let me know in the comments!