Common Types of Coffee Drinks Explained

Ever stood in a coffee shop menu unsure whether to order a macchiato or a flat white? With so many coffee styles around the world—each with unique ingredients, brewing methods, and cultural roots—it’s easy to get lost. This guide breaks down 12 common coffee drinks, explaining exactly what’s in them, how they’re made, and where they come from.

In short: Black coffee is simply brewed coffee with no additives (not even milk or sugar), while a cappuccino is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. A Vietnamese coffee uses a metal drip filter and is often served with sweetened condensed milk. Each drink serves a different taste preference or cultural tradition.

What Is Black Coffee?

Black coffee, also called “clear coffee” or “” in Hong Kong, refers to coffee made solely from roasted coffee beans, brewed without any additives like milk, sugar, or flavorings. This includes brewed coffee, French press, pour-over, or espresso—so long as nothing alters the coffee’s natural taste. Importantly, instant coffee does not count as black coffee.

What About White Coffee?

White coffee originates from Ipoh, Malaysia. It traditionally involves roasting coffee beans with butter, then brewing and serving the coffee with sweetened condensed milk. Essentially, it’s a type of milk-heavy coffee similar to a latte. In the U.S., however, “white coffee” can also refer to lightly roasted beans brewed using espresso methods, resulting in a brighter, more acidic cup.

Flavored Coffee: Customizing Your Cup

Flavored coffee involves adding ingredients like chocolate, syrups, fruit juices, cinnamon, nutmeg, or orange blossom to brewed coffee. The specific flavors vary by region and personal taste, allowing for a wide range of customized coffee experiences beyond traditional styles.

Espresso-Based Drinks

Espresso is the foundation for many popular coffee drinks. It’s made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. This method produces a small, concentrated shot of coffee with a rich crema on top. Here are some common espresso-based drinks:

Cappuccino

A cappuccino consists of one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third milk foam. It’s typically served with equal parts of each, though you can order a “double” version made with two shots of espresso. Optional toppings include cinnamon, spices, or chocolate powder.

Latte (Caffè Latte)

The latte, known as “Caffè Latte” in Italian or “Café au lait” in French, is made with one shot of espresso and two or more parts of steamed milk, often with a small amount of foam. You can also request a double latte, which uses two espresso shots. It’s essentially “coffee with a lot of milk.”

Macchiato

A macchiato means “stained” or “spotted” in Italian. It’s an espresso shot topped with just a small amount of steamed milk foam—just enough to “mark” the coffee. It highlights the espresso while adding a touch of milk.

Mocha (Caffè Mocha)

A mocha combines espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate (often in syrup form), sometimes with whipped cream or ice. It’s a café-style hybrid of coffee and hot chocolate.

Americano

An Americano is made by adding hot water to a shot (or more) of espresso. This dilutes the espresso, resulting in a coffee that’s smoother and less intense than straight espresso—closer in strength to traditional drip coffee.

Irish Coffee

This is a warm, boozy coffee made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and topped with whipped cream. It’s a festive drink often served during colder months.

Viennese Coffee

Legend says this coffee style was created by an Austrian coachman. It’s made by adding whipped cream to coffee and topping it with sprinkles of colorful, sugar-coated rice. It’s more dessert-like than a standard coffee.

Regional Coffee Specialties

Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnamese coffee is brewed using a small metal drip filter (phin) that slowly drips hot water through finely ground dark roast coffee. It’s typically served with sugar or sweetened condensed milk, either hot or over ice. There are both hot and cold versions, depending on the season. The cold version often includes ice cubes for refreshment in summer.

Mandheling Coffee

Mandheling coffee comes from Sumatra, Indonesia. It’s known for its bold, earthy, and slightly sweet profile with strong bitterness and a rich body. It’s often described as one of the most intense single-origin coffees available.

Ice Coffee (Frappé)

Ice coffee, or frappé, is a cold, sweetened coffee drink typically blended with milk, sugar, and ice. It may include milk foam and is designed to be refreshing and low on bitterness—perfect for hot weather.

Other Coffee Blends & Roasts

Specialty Regional Roasts

Different regions produce distinct coffee profiles. For example, the Mandheling region in Sumatra is famous for its full-bodied and bold brews. Meanwhile, FrontStreet Coffee’s range of espresso blends—from the Classic Blend to the Specialty Blend—are crafted to bring out specific characteristics in milk-based or straight espresso drinks. The Classic Blend, for instance, is optimized for crema production and smooth body, ideal for cappuccinos and lattes. The Black Cocoa Blend offers a robust profile with rich texture, suitable for cost-conscious shops needing consistent espresso. The Commercial Blend balances cost and quality, while the Specialty Blend delivers a nostalgic yet refined espresso flavor using Brazilian and Colombian beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between black coffee and espresso?

Black coffee refers to any coffee brewed without additives like milk or sugar, including methods like pour-over, French press, or drip. Espresso is a specific brewing method using fine grounds and high pressure to produce a concentrated shot. While espresso is a type of black coffee, not all black coffee is espresso.

Is white coffee just milk with coffee?

Not exactly. Traditional Malaysian white coffee is made with coffee beans roasted with butter and served with sweetened condensed milk. In the U.S., it can also mean lightly roasted beans brewed as espresso, yielding a brighter, more acidic cup. It’s not just coffee with milk added.

What’s the standard ratio for a cappuccino?

A traditional cappuccino consists of equal parts: one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third milk foam. That usually means one shot (30ml) of espresso with roughly 60ml each of steamed milk and foam.

Does Vietnamese coffee always have sweetened condensed milk?

Not always, but it’s very common. Vietnamese coffee is typically brewed strong using a metal phin filter and often served with sweetened condensed milk, either hot or over ice. You can adjust the sweetness to taste.

Is an Americano weaker than espresso?

An Americano is made by adding hot water to espresso, which dilutes it. While the caffeine content is similar to a similar-sized drip coffee, the flavor is less intense and closer to traditional filtered coffee.

What’s a macchiato?

A macchiato is an espresso “stained” with a small amount of steamed milk foam. The idea is to slightly mark the espresso, making it easier to see the coffee beneath while adding minimal milk. It’s stronger than a latte but gentler than pure espresso.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Milk Drinks

For classic espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend is an excellent choice, offering rich body and outstanding crema perfect for milk drinks. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with solid performance, the Black Cocoa Blend provides a bold, full-bodied profile ideal for espresso. For a more refined taste experience, the Specialty Blend combines Brazilian and Colombian beans for a balanced, nostalgic espresso flavor. All three are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.