Discover Different Types of Espresso Drinks

I thought I knew enough about coffee to call myself a coffee enthusiast and considered myself an expert just because I’d been to many coffee shops and friends would consult me for recommendations. Then I started researching for this article and realized that what I had in abundance was audacity, not knowledge. I didn’t know the basics about espresso drinks; if you had asked me before what’s doppio, I’d most certainly consult Google because I didn’t even know such a word existed.

Clearly, I needed to sit down and educate myself first before labeling myself an expert on anything coffee-related. Now that I mentioned it, it was fascinating to learn about the different types of coffee drinks. So if you’re confused or a bit intimidated choosing from the coffee menu, I hope this article can help you.

What drinks are made with espresso?

There are many drinks you can make with espresso but the most common ones are americano, latte, cappuccino, ristretto, macchiato, mocha, flat white, and red eye.

What is the most popular espresso drink?

When looking specifically at coffee shops or cafe purchases, lattes are incredibly popular coffee drinks, although brewed coffee is also a favorite by coffee lovers worldwide.

What are the different types of espresso drinks?

1. Espresso Variations

Doppio

Doppio is a double-shot espresso that is extracted with twice the amount of ground coffee. It produces about 2.0 fl oz of espresso. The word means “double” in Italian. Doppio is the standard shot in most coffee shops and cafes in Italy.

Lungo

nespresso essenza mini

Lungo, also known as “long shot”, is coffee extracted with an espresso machine that uses twice the amount of water used for making espresso. The word means “long” in Italian. Because it requires more water, it has a subdued flavor; however, it’s more bitter. Most Nespresso machines have a preset for a lungo alongside an espresso.

Ristretto

Ristretto refers to a single shot of espresso. The word means “restricted” in Italian and uses about 0.5-0.7 oz (15-20 ml) of robust and undiluted espresso. It’s prepared by cutting the shot short, around 15-25 seconds. As a result, ristretto is full-bodied and slightly bitter compared to espresso. Ask for a ristretto if you want to enjoy espresso in its purest form.

2. Popular Espresso Drinks

Americano

Americano is basically a watered-down espresso that may be served hot or iced. The drink was invented by American soldiers stationed in Italy during World War II. Finding the Italian espresso too strong, the soldiers wanted to drink something similar to the drip coffee they had back home; thus, the name Americano.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is a type of coffee beverage from Italy. It is made with a shot of espresso and steamed milk, foam on the top, and a sprinkle of chocolate powder. It is a bit similar to a latte, but it’s served in a cup and has more foam.

Finding information about the origin of cappuccino is a little bit tricky. There was an unverified account crediting an Italian monk named Marco d’Aviano for inventing cappuccino in the 1900s. Thus, the name “cappuccino,” derived from “capuchin,” the color of the habits worn by the friars.

Then there’s another story that the drink was inspired by “kapuziner” an Austrian coffee that was popular in Viennese coffee houses in the 1700s.

Dry Cappuccino

Dry cappuccino, also known as bone-dry, is cappuccino with more foam and less steamed milk. It tastes more bitter than a regular cappuccino (wet cappuccino).

Flat White

Flat white is a coffee drink made with espresso and a thin velvety foam or microfoam. It’s similar to a latte but with more espresso than milk. The drink is said to have originated in New Zealand, but there’s much debate surrounding its invention. Some people who claimed that they invented the flat white are Derek Townsend and Darrel Ahlers of Cafe DKD in Auckland, people from Bar Bodega in Wellington, and Craig Miller, an author from Auckland.

Latte

Latte (or cafe latte) is a coffee drink of Italian origin made with espresso and steamed milk. It can be prepared in two ways: mixing brewed coffee with heated milk or combining a shot of espresso and steamed milk. In Italy, the milk is not foamed, and adding sugar is optional, but in the US, a latte is topped with thick foam and is heavily sweetened.

Iced Espresso

Iced espresso is essentially a shot of espresso served over ice with about 1 oz or two tablespoons of milk. It’s best for those who want cold coffee stronger than regular brewed iced coffee.

Iced Cappuccino

​​Iced cappuccino is a variant of the regular cappuccino. It’s made with a double shot of espresso, cold foam, and ice.

Machiatto

The Note Coffee - Hanoi - Vietnam - Vietnamese coffee

Macchiato is a coffee drink made with a shot of espresso and then topped with foamed milk. The word means “marked” or “stained” in Italian. It’s best for people who want to have something that’s lighter than an espresso but not as sweet or as milky as a latte.

Latte Macchiato

Latte macchiato is a variation of macchiato prepared by adding espresso to the milk. It’s foamier and only uses half an espresso shot. A macchiato is a layered drink, unlike the regular latte, where the ingredients are mixed together.

Long Black

A long black is a type of coffee drink that originated in Australia and New Zealand. It has one or two shots of espresso, then hot water is added. It has a stronger and more concentrated espresso taste compared to Americanos.

Mocha

Greyhound Mandaluyong, Philippines - Mocha latte

Mocha or cafe mocha is a variation of a latte made with espresso, milk, and chocolate. It’s often served in a glass rather than a mug. Some use chocolate syrup or cocoa powder. It’s also called mochaccino in Italian or mochaccino in some cafes or coffee shops. The drink may be prepared hot or cold.

3. Espresso Dessert

Affogato

Affogato is a coffee-based dessert from Italy. It is said to have gained popularity in the 1950s, but its origin remains unknown. It’s made with a shot of espresso and a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream or gelato.

4. Espresso Specialty Drinks

Black Tie

Black tie coffee is a beverage with a double shot of espresso, black tea, and some spicy and sweet ingredients such as star anise, sugar, chicory, condensed milk, and orange blossoms water. The drink is said to have originated in Thailand.

Breve

Breve is prepared with one or two shots of espresso and half-and-half (half heavy cream and half whole milk). This recipe creates a creamy, rich brew that is strong yet sweet. The drink originated in the USA and is considered to be the American version of an Italian latte.

Caramel Macchiato

Caramel macchiato is a specialty coffee drink created by Starbucks in 1996. It was invented by Hannah Su, an employee, in celebration of Starbucks’s 25th anniversary. It’s made with macchiato with foam and then topped with caramel sauce. The drink was supposed to be offered for just a few weeks, but it was such a hit with customers it became one of Starbucks’s staple drinks.

Cortado (Gibraltar)

Cortado is made with equal parts espresso and warm steamed milk. While the milk used for this drink is steamed, it’s not frothy or texturized. The drink originated in Spain, and the word means “to cut” or “to dilute” in Spanish. Cortado is also called “Gibraltar” in the USA and is served in a Libbey Gibraltar glass.

Egg Coffee

Cafe Giang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam - cafe trung egg coffee

Egg Coffee is a coffee beverage that originated in Vietnam. It’s made of espresso, whisked eggs, and condensed milk. It was invented in 1946 by Nguyen Van Giang, a former chef of Metropole Hotel who wanted to create a Vietnamese version of cappuccino with less expensive ingredients.

Espresso con Panna

Made with a single or double shot of espresso topped with whipped cream, Espresso Con Panna is served in a demitasse or a small glass. The name means “espresso with cream” in Italian. In France and the United Kingdom, this drink is called “cafe viennois.”

Iced Vanilla Latte

A drink made popular by Starbucks, Iced Vanilla Latte is made with espresso, vanilla syrup, milk, and ice. It’s sweet and creamy, perfect for those who want a refreshing coffee drink.

Picollo

picollo-latte

Picollo is a small latte made with a single shot of ristretto espresso and a small amount of steamed milk, typically served in a 3-4 ounce glass.

Red Eye

Red Eye is a coffee drink made with brewed coffee topped with an espresso shot. This makes for a very strong coffee. Some places use different terms for red eye. In Alaska, they call it “sludge cup,” and on the West Coast, they call it “shot in the dark.” Even Starbucks has its own term for it, which is “green eye.”

5. Non-Espresso Drink

Matcha Latte

A Matcha latte is a non-coffee-based drink made with matcha powder, water, and steamed milk. It is a well-liked beverage in Japan and has recently gained popularity in the West. Although the history of matcha latte is unclear, it is thought to have started in Japan in the 16th century. A Zen Buddhist monk by the name of Eisai brought the custom of making powdered green tea to Japan around 1191. Matcha was brought to the Japanese court by Eisai, where it immediately gained popularity. 

Chai Latte

Chai latte is not an espresso drink but a tea-based beverage popularized by Starbucks in the 1990s. However, this drink date back between 5000 to 9000 years ago and originated in India or Siam, where it’s called “masala chai” (meaning spiced tea). It was used as an Ayurvedic remedy for minor ailments. It wasn’t until the 1930s that Chai tea was prepared with black tea. 

6. Espresso Cocktail

Espresso Martini

espresso-martini

Espresso Martini is a cocktail made with coffee, vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup.

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