Types of Espresso-Based Coffee & How They're Made

You walk into a coffee shop and scan the menu—cappuccino, latte, macchiato, mocha—but aren’t sure what sets them apart. Even regular coffee drinkers often stick to familiar names without knowing how these drinks differ in preparation or flavor. Here’s a clear breakdown of the most common espresso-based coffees, their exact ingredients, and how they’re made.

Most specialty coffee drinks are variations of espresso. A standard espresso shot uses 7–18g of coffee to make 30ml of concentrated brew, while drinks like lattes and cappuccinos use double that espresso (60ml total), layered with steamed milk and foam. Understanding these basics helps you choose or even craft your ideal cup.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso, or Italian espresso (espresso), is the concentrated foundation for nearly all milk-based coffee drinks. It’s made using a moka pot (or similar high-pressure brewer), where steam pressure forces hot water through finely-ground coffee. This process extracts intense flavors, creates a thick crema (coffee oil layer), and results in a bold, slightly bitter shot. Espresso’s strength and richness make it the ideal base for more complex drinks—and the true test of a barista’s skill, since its flavors can’t be masked with milk.

Common Espresso-Based Coffees & Their Ratios

Cappuccino

A balanced coffee with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam—1:1:1. That means a 30ml shot of espresso is topped with 30ml steamed milk and 30ml foam. The texture and density of the foam are key, and the drink’s name comes from its color resemblance to a Capuchin monk’s brown robe and white hood. This is the drink for those who enjoy the feel of a well-textured foam.

Latte

Made with a 1:2:1 ratio of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. That’s 30ml espresso, 60ml milk, and 30ml foam. In Italian, 'latte' simply means 'milk,' and this drink is essentially a smoother, milky coffee. The larger milk volume softens the espresso’s intensity. In some cafés, especially American-style lattes, cold milk foam is added to hot steamed milk for extra texture. This is how Starbucks prepares its version.

Macchiato

This is a 'marked' espresso—just 30ml of espresso with two spoonfuls of delicate milk foam added, no steamed milk. The foam slightly lightens (or 'stains') the dark espresso, hence the name. Because it lacks milk’s dilution, it’s meant to be sipped quickly, similar to a shot. The foam’s texture changes quickly when exposed to air, so drinking it right after pouring is ideal.

Mocha

A more decorative and sweet variation, the mocha takes a latte and adds chocolate—usually cocoa powder or syrup. It’s essentially a latte with chocolate flavoring, making it one of the more playful and dessert-like espresso drinks. Its origins tie back to the word 'mocha' meaning chocolate, and it can include spices like cinnamon.

Con Panna (Espresso with Cream)

This is a simple espresso (30ml) topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Sometimes called a 'single horse carriage' due to its minimal additions, the contrast of the dark espresso against the white cream creates an elegant presentation. The cream isn’t whipped into foam but served soft and smooth, adding richness without altering the espresso’s flavor profile too much.

Café au Lait (European-Style Latte)

Similar to a latte but prepared differently: a 30ml shot of espresso is poured together with a large amount of hot milk into a cup, and then topped with two spoonfuls of milk foam. Unlike Italian or American lattes where milk is added sequentially, here espresso and milk meet instantly. This method highlights a casual, relaxed drinking experience and is considered the European counterpart to the latte.

Why Espresso Matters

Espresso acts as the base for nearly all these drinks due to its intense flavor and thick crema, which hold up even when mixed with milk or foam. Despite misconceptions, drinks like lattes and cappuccinos actually contain more espresso than a solo shot—the difference is the addition of milk, not a reduction in coffee quantity. This makes espresso not just a drink, but a measure of coffee quality and barista skill.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee is in a standard espresso shot?

A standard espresso shot is made with 7–18g of ground coffee, yielding about 30ml (1 ounce) of concentrated liquid. This is the base used in almost all milk-based coffee drinks.

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

A cappuccino has a 1:1:1 ratio of espresso, steamed milk, and foam (30ml each), while a latte uses a 1:2:1 ratio (30ml espresso, 60ml milk, 30ml foam). Lattes have more milk and less foam, making them creamier and milder.

What is a macchiato?

A macchiato is an espresso (30ml) 'stained' with just two spoonfuls of milk foam—no steamed milk. It’s meant to be drunk quickly, often in a single shot, to enjoy the contrast between the dark coffee and light foam.

Do drinks like mocha or café au lait use more espresso?

No, they use the same amount of espresso as a cappuccino or latte (often 60ml total), but add chocolate or larger quantities of milk. The espresso base remains consistent across most coffee drinks.

Why is espresso considered the base for other drinks?

Espresso’s strong, concentrated flavor and rich crema provide a bold foundation that isn’t diluted easily by milk or foam. This makes it ideal for layering into other drinks while still showcasing coffee character.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Milk Drinks

For milk-based espresso drinks like cappuccino, latte, and macchiato, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend offers outstanding crema and a smooth, approachable profile thanks to its traditional (Mandheling-Brazil) recipe. It’s ideal for home or shop use, even with non-professional machines. For a richer, more chocolatey foundation that pairs well with milk and syrups, try the Black Cocoa Blend—made with 100% Arabica beans, it delivers bold body at a great value. Both blends are optimized for milk drinks and widely used in cafés for their consistency and crema performance. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.