There’s a type of coffee for every moment of the day.
From a strong espresso in the morning, to an espresso martini as a festive finish and everything in between. Below you’ll find all types of coffee drinks listed with a short explanation of how to make them.
What types of coffee are there?
When we talk about types of coffee, we could mean different things: brewing methods, coffee beans, or coffee drinks.
In this overview, we focus on types of coffee drinks that are based on espresso. Think of an americano or a cappuccino.
Scroll down to learn more about:
- Espresso variations (Espresso, ristretto, lungo, americano)
- Types of coffee with milk (cappuccino, latte macchiato, espresso macchiato, caffè latte, cortado, flat white, affogato)
- Types of coffee with alcohol (espresso martini, caffè corretto)
Espresso variations
All over the world, people drink espresso-based drinks in their own way. Below, we list the most popular and most loved espresso types.
Espresso
Espresso is the base of many types of coffee. This small and powerful coffee is brewed under high pressure with water that’s almost boiling.
To make an espresso, start with this basic ratio: 18 grams of ground coffee in, 36 grams of liquid espresso out (a double shot) in about 25 to 30 seconds.
If you stick to this formula, you should end up with an espresso where all flavors are nicely balanced. You’ll taste bitterness, sweetness, and acidity.
From this starting point, you can experiment to get closer to your favorite flavors.
Our tip: Always brew double espressos instead of singles. They’re much easier to extract properly. Read all our tips for making a delicious espresso here.
Ristretto
You can see a ristretto as the little brother of the espresso, but don’t underestimate it. In terms of flavor, it’s often even more intense than espresso.
Ristretto ratio: 18 grams in, 18 grams out in 20 to 22 seconds.
For a ristretto, grind your beans finer than for espresso. You’re aiming for a slower extraction.
Ristrettos are great on their own but also work beautifully in a cortado or an affogato. Especially for affogato, we recommend using a ristretto instead of an espresso.
Lungo
A lungo is the opposite of a ristretto. Instead of pulling a smaller shot in a shorter time, you extract longer and end up with a larger cup of black coffee.
Lungo recipe: 18 grams in, 54 grams out, 45–50 seconds extraction time.
A lungo comes closest to what many people consider “regular coffee.” Read more about the difference between ristretto, espresso, and lungo here.
Americano
An americano is made with espresso and hot water.
You can use an espresso-to-water ratio between 1:2 and 1:4. Let your personal taste preference guide you.
Tip: You can also drink your americano cold. Check out our iced americano recipe here.
Types of coffee with milk
There are many types of coffee with milk, each with its own ratio of espresso, milk, and milk foam.
Below, we list the most popular ones with a short explanation of how to prepare them.
Cappuccino
The cappuccino is probably the most well-known type of coffee with milk. It consists of 1 part espresso, 3 parts milk, and 2 parts milk foam.
Typically, you use 1 shot of espresso and a cappuccino cup with a capacity of 180–220 ml.
The size of your ideal cappuccino cup depends on how strong you want it. So feel free to experiment.
Latte Macchiato
A latte macchiato is instantly recognizable by the tall glass it’s served in. According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), this type of coffee has a ratio of 1 part espresso, 4 parts milk foam, and 1 part milk.
Because a latte macchiato contains relatively a lot of milk, it’s a great choice for people who don’t enjoy the bitterness of black coffee but still want to drink coffee.
Curious how to make a latte macchiato? Check out our blog where we explain it in 5 simple steps.
An espresso pitcher is useful for a latte macchiato. It helps create the beautiful layered effect as the espresso slowly flows between the milk and the foam.
Espresso Macchiato
An espresso macchiato is made by adding a small amount of milk foam (no milk!) to a fresh single espresso.
This softens the strong espresso flavor without completely drowning it.
It’s usually served in an espresso cup with a capacity of around 60 ml.
Caffè Latte
A caffè latte contains more milk than a cappuccino but less than a latte macchiato.
Did you know that a caffè latte and a latte macchiato have the same ratios? 1 part espresso, 4 parts milk foam, and 1 part milk.
The difference is the total volume. A latte is smaller overall, around 250 ml.
That means you serve a latte in a fairly large cup. Check out our latte cups here.
Cortado
A cortado consists of half espresso and half steamed milk.
The result is a strong yet balanced cup of coffee in which the flavor profile of your beans really stands out.
Cortados are typically served in a small cup or glass.
Flat White
This coffee drink originated in New Zealand and is now a staple on most coffee bar menus.
In a flat white, you combine a double espresso with milk and milk foam. Compared to a cappuccino, a flat white contains less milk foam.
The ideal flat white ratio is:
2 parts espresso, 3 parts milk, and 1 part milk foam.
In terms of volume, a flat white is about the same size as a cappuccino — around 180 ml. This is important, because if you use a larger cup, you’re essentially making a double cappuccino.
Affogato
An affogato is made by pouring a freshly brewed, hot espresso over a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
The result? A mix of hot and cold, bitter and sweet, soft and bold. Check out our blog about making the perfect affogato here.
Espresso drinks with alcohol
There are also types of coffee with alcohol that are delicious as a dessert or as a warming drink on a cold day.
Espresso Martini
An espresso martini is a very popular coffee cocktail in which you combine a fresh espresso with vodka and coffee liqueur.
Check out our detailed espresso martini recipe here.
Caffè Corretto
A caffè corretto (or espresso corretto) is one of the simplest coffee cocktails you can imagine.
You make it by adding a small amount of strong liquor to your espresso. Alternatively, you can serve the liquor in a shot glass next to the espresso.
A caffè corretto is usually made with grappa, sambuca, or brandy.
Types of coffee beans
Espresso is the foundation of all these types of coffee drinks. That means: knowing how to make a good espresso makes you better at preparing all the drinks mentioned above. With some knowledge and the right barista tools, you’ll already be well on your way.
The quality of your beans also determines how your coffee ultimately tastes. Check out our complete selection of specialty coffee here. And if you prefer to explore on your own, we also have this guide to choosing the best coffee beans.
