How to Make Classic Specialty Coffee Drinks Like Macchiato & More

Ever stood in a coffee shop menu dazed by terms like 'macchiato' or 'Turkish coffee'? Wondering how your favorite drinks actually come together—what goes in, in what order, and why it tastes the way it does? This guide breaks down 14 classic coffee drinks with the precise details you need to understand or recreate them.

To make a traditional macchiato, pour 3–5 tablespoons of milk foam (no milk) over a single shot of espresso (7g coffee). That’s it—that’s the whole drink.

What Is a Macchiato?

A macchiato, meaning 'stained' or 'spotted' in Italian, is an espresso 'marked' with milk foam. It’s not a latte with a dash of espresso—it’s the other way around. For a proper one, you need just 7g of espresso coffee (or 18g for a larger version) and 3–5 tablespoons of milk foam. No steamed milk, just foam.

Cappuccino & Latte Ratios Explained

Both drinks start with espresso, but differ in their milk and foam balance. A cappuccino uses a 1:1:1 ratio—equal parts espresso (7g coffee, 50cc water), steamed milk (50cc), and milk foam. A latte, meanwhile, follows a 1:2:1 ratio: espresso, then twice as much milk, then a final layer of foam. For home brewing, use 18g coffee and 120cc water if not using an espresso machine.

Chocolate in Coffee: Swiss Style

Adding chocolate to coffee isn’t just delicious—it’s traditional, especially in colder European climates. For a Swiss chocolate coffee, add 15g of sugar-containing chocolate powder (or 30cc of chocolate syrup) to your cup, then pour in 120cc of freshly brewed espresso (7g coffee, 120cc water, or 12g coffee if using non-espresso methods). Stir well. It’s a warming drink for ski slopes and winter mornings.

The Ritual of Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee isn’t just unfiltered—it’s an entire ceremony. Grind 12g of dark-roasted beans (preferably with spices like cinnamon or cardamom, optional) to a fine powder. Add to water (no specific amount given, but typically small cups) and bring to a boil for about 20 seconds. Let the grounds settle, then carefully pour the clear liquid off the top. Serve as is, or with lemon, honey, or Turkish delight. The grounds remain in the cup—part of the experience.

Royal Coffee: Coffee Meets Brandy

Invented by Napoleon, royal coffee is espresso with a dramatic flourish. Brew 90cc of hot espresso (ideally a light roast like Blue Mountain), pour into a preheated cup, then place a sugar cube on a special royal spoon. Pour brandy over the sugar, ignite it, and let the flames pour the brandy into the coffee. It’s theatre, aroma, and caffeine in one.

Iced & Frozen Coffee Drinks

For magic ice cream coffee, pour espresso over vanilla ice cream and decorate with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. For mocha frappé-style iced coffee, blend 300–400ml of ice, 2 tbsp chocolate syrup, 3 tbsp vanilla ice cream, and a shot of iced espresso, then top with whipped cream. Bitter iced coffee is made with 7g espresso (or 30g regular grind), 120cc milk, 30cc syrup, and ice—layered for contrast. Yuenyeung iced coffee (coffee-tea hybrid) mixes equal parts iced black tea and iced coffee, sweetened to taste with condensed milk.

More Unique Coffee Creations

Irish coffee combines hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, served with cream floated on top. Mocha frost coffee blends ice, ice cream, chocolate syrup, and iced mocha coffee for a thick, cold dessert drink. Macchinato’s cousin, the con panna (or cream-topped espresso), is simply espresso with a dollop of whipped cream—like the mentioned, but with cream instead of milk foam. Green tea coffee is a Japanese-inspired blend of green tea and espresso, balancing earthy and bold flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a macchiato and a cappuccino?

A macchiato is a shot of espresso (7g coffee) 'stained' with 3–5 tablespoons of milk foam and no steamed milk. A cappuccino is equal parts espresso (7g coffee, 50cc water), steamed milk (50cc), and milk foam. The milk foam is the only dairy in a macchiato; a cappuccino includes both steamed milk and foam.

How do you make traditional Turkish coffee?

Grind 12g of dark roast coffee beans (finely), optionally with spices like cinnamon or cardamom. Add to water in a pot, bring to a boil for about 20 seconds, then let the grounds settle before pouring the clear liquid off the top. Serve unfiltered, often with lemon or sweets.

What’s the correct ratio for a latte vs a cappuccino?

A cappuccino uses a 1:1:1 ratio: espresso, steamed milk, and foam (e.g., 50cc each). A latte uses a 1:2:1 ratio: espresso, then twice as much milk, then a layer of foam. For home brewing without an espresso machine, use 12–18g coffee and 120cc water as the base.

Can I make Irish coffee without whiskey?

Traditionally, Irish coffee includes Irish whiskey. While you can experiment with other spirits, the drink’s signature flavor and cultural identity come from the whiskey. The recipe calls for hot coffee, sugar, and whiskey, topped with cream.

How is chocolate added to Swiss chocolate coffee?

Add 15g of sugar-containing chocolate powder (or 30cc of chocolate syrup) to the cup first, then pour in 120cc of freshly brewed espresso. Stir until combined. It’s a simple mix but deeply traditional in European ski culture.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Milk-Based & Iced Coffee Drinks

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