10 Classic Coffee Drinks Every Specialty Coffee Drinker Should Know

When walking into a coffee shop, the menu can be overwhelming—dozens of drinks with similar names but wildly different tastes. Whether you're ordering your first flat white or curious how a macchiato differs from a cortado, understanding the basics of the ten most common coffee styles helps you choose what you’ll actually enjoy. Most of these drinks start with just two ingredients: coffee and water—but what you add, how you brew it, and the ratios make all the difference.

There are 10 widely recognised coffee drinks that form the foundation of global cafe culture: black coffee, white coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, flavored coffee, mocha, Americano, Irish coffee, and Vietnamese coffee. Each varies by preparation method, milk content, and added flavors.

What Is Black Coffee?

Black coffee is the simplest and purest form of coffee: just brewed coffee beans, usually without any additives. It highlights the bean’s natural characteristics without the influence of milk, sugar, or cream. It can be prepared using various brewing methods such as pour-over, French press, or drip, and is often consumed as a single origin or espresso shot diluted with hot water (known as an Americano).

What Is White Coffee?

White coffee is simply black coffee with milk added. Unlike the Malaysian-style “white coffee” which refers to a lightly roasted bean brewed with sweetened condensed milk, in global specialty terms, white coffee generally means any black coffee with steamed or frothed milk mixed in. This addition softens the coffee’s acidity and rounds out the flavor, making it more approachable.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water (around 90–96°C) under high pressure (9–10 bar) through finely-ground coffee. The result is a small, thick shot with a rich crema on top, intense flavour, and higher caffeine concentration per volume. It’s the base for many other drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. A standard single shot uses about 7–10 grams of coffee and yields about 30 ml (1 fl oz) in about 25–30 seconds.

What Is a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino consists of an espresso shot (typically 30 ml) topped with equal parts steamed milk (about 90 ml) and milk foam (about 30 ml), for a total drink size around 150 ml. This 1:1:1 ratio (espresso:milk:foam) is key to its texture and balance. It may be dusted with cinnamon, chocolate powder, or spices. The foam gives it a lighter, airier mouthfeel compared to a latte.

What Is a Latte?

A caffè latte, or simply latte, is made with one shot of espresso (30 ml) and two or more parts of steamed milk (150–200 ml), with just a thin layer of foam on top. This creates a milky, smooth drink with a milder coffee flavour. It’s larger than a cappuccino and often customized with latte art or flavored syrups. The milk-to-espresso ratio is critical to achieving the drink’s signature velvety texture.

What Is Flavored Coffee?

Flavored coffee involves adding natural or artificial flavourings—such as chocolate, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange blossom, or fruit syrups—to brewed coffee. These additions can be mixed into the coffee grounds before brewing or added to the final cup. While not traditional in specialty coffee, flavoured coffees are popular worldwide and allow for creative customization.

What Is a Mocha?

A mocha, or caffe mocha, combines espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate—usually in the form of syrup, cocoa powder, or melted chocolate. It may also include whipped cream or ice cubes for a chilled version. The drink bridges the gap between coffee and dessert, balancing bitter espresso with sweet chocolate and creamy milk. It’s essentially a chocolate-flavored latte.

What Is an Americano?

An Americano is made by pouring hot water (usually around 90–96°C) over a shot (or two) of espresso. This dilutes the espresso, stretching it into a larger, milder cup that resembles traditional filtered coffee but retains the espresso’s core flavours. It’s typically served in volumes similar to drip coffee—around 240–300 ml—and is smoother than straight espresso for those who prefer less intensity.

What Is Irish Coffee?

Irish coffee is a warm, boozy coffee drink made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, topped with a layer of lightly whipped cream. The cream floats on top and is not mixed in, allowing drinkers to experience both the coffee and alcohol layers. It’s typically served in a stemmed glass and is a popular after-dinner or cold-weather drink.

What Is Vietnamese Coffee?

Vietnamese coffee is brewed using a small metal drip filter called a phin, which slowly drips hot water (typically near boiling) through finely ground coffee. It’s traditionally made with dark roasted coffee and served with sweetened condensed milk added either during or after brewing. The slow drip extracts a strong, bold cup, balanced by the creamy, sweet milk. It’s usually served hot, but iced versions are also common.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between black coffee and espresso?

Black coffee refers to any brewed coffee without additives, made by various methods like pour-over or French press. Espresso is a specific brewing method using fine grounds and high pressure to produce a concentrated shot. Both can be ‘black’ (without milk), but espresso is much more intense in flavour and caffeine concentration per volume.

Is cappuccino stronger than latte?

Cappuccinos have a stronger coffee flavour relative to milk because they use equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam (1:1:1 ratio). Lattes use more milk (usually 2–3 parts milk to 1 part espresso), making them milder and creamier. In terms of caffeine content, both typically use one shot of espresso, so they’re similar unless the latte uses extra shots.

What makes Vietnamese coffee different?

Vietnamese coffee is brewed using a small metal phin filter that produces a slow, concentrated drip. It’s almost always made with dark roasted beans and traditionally served with sweetened condensed milk, creating a sweet, bold, and creamy profile. The use of the phin and condensed milk sets it apart from other drip or filtered coffees.

Can I make these drinks at home?

Yes, most of these coffee drinks can be made at home with the right equipment. For espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos or lattes, you’ll need an espresso machine or Moka pot. For Vietnamese coffee, a phin filter is essential. Simpler drinks like Americano or black coffee can be made with any drip or pour-over setup. Milk frothing can be done with a steam wand, handheld frother, or even a jar.

Are flavored coffees considered specialty coffee?

Flavored coffees are generally not considered part of specialty coffee, which prioritizes high-quality beans and minimal processing. However, they’re popular in mainstream coffee culture. Specialty shops may offer flavored syrups as optional add-ons, but the focus remains on the bean’s natural flavours.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Classic Coffee Drinks

For exploring classic coffee styles, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright citrus and floral notes ideal in black coffee or espresso, their PWN Golden Mandheling for a full-bodied, smooth profile perfect in lattes and cappuccinos, and the Brazil Queen Manor with its nutty, chocolatey tones great for milk drinks or Americanos. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.