Drinks
Macchiato
A traditional macchiato is an espresso shot 'marked' with a small amount of foamed milk — typically a 2oz demitasse with a double shot and a teaspoon of milk foam on top. This is distinct from chain coffee shops' 'caramel macchiato,' which is a different, syrupy drink entirely.
The traditional Italian macchiato (espresso macchiato) is built minimally: 18g double shot, 2oz demitasse, a small dollop of textured milk foam on top of the crema. The milk 'marks' the espresso — softening it slightly without adding meaningful volume. Total drink is essentially espresso with a milk accent.
Specialty cafés sometimes serve a 'long macchiato' or 'latte macchiato' — these are variations with more milk, blurring the line with cortados and lattes. Naming varies by café. When in doubt, ask what the customer expects.
The macchiato got widespread confusion from Starbucks' caramel macchiato, which is essentially a flavored latte with caramel — totally unrelated to the traditional espresso macchiato. Modern specialty cafés sometimes label the traditional version as 'espresso macchiato' to avoid the confusion.
Related terms
Keep exploring
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 →
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.
Read definition →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a macchiato and a Starbucks macchiato?
Is a macchiato stronger than an espresso?
Should I order a macchiato if I want espresso with milk?
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