Drinks
Cortado
A cortado is a small espresso drink with espresso and a roughly equal volume of lightly textured steamed milk — typically 4.5oz total. The 1:1 espresso-to-milk ratio makes it espresso-forward but with the rounding effect of milk.
Originally from Spain (the name means 'cut'), the cortado is built simply: 18g double shot, 4.5oz Gibraltar glass, milk steamed with minimal stretching (less than 1 second), poured directly into the espresso to dilute it without overwhelming it. The result is a small, intense drink with milk's creaminess but coffee's character.
Cortados appeal to customers who find lattes too milky and straight espresso too intense. The ratio (1:1, sometimes 1:1.5) preserves espresso flavor while softening sharp edges. They've grown in popularity in US specialty cafés as a 'middle ground' option.
The drink takes a small Gibraltar-style glass (originally a Libbey-brand 4.5oz glass) that's become the de facto cortado vessel in specialty cafés. Serving in any other glass changes the drink's identity.
Related terms
Keep exploring
Drinks
Latte
A latte is an espresso drink with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam on top — typically 12oz total, with 1–2 shots of espresso and the rest milk.
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Drinks
Flat white
A flat white is a small espresso drink with steamed milk and minimal microfoam — typically 6oz total, with 1–2 espresso shots and tightly textured milk poured without a visible foam layer.
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Drinks
Espresso
Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee beverage made by forcing about 92–94°C water through finely-ground, tamped coffee at 9 bars of pressure for 25–32 seconds.
Read definition →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a cortado and a flat white?
Why is a cortado served in a Gibraltar glass?
Is a cortado just a small latte?
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