Macchiato
Espresso 'stained' or 'marked' with a small amount of milk foam — a small, concentrated Italian cafe drink.
A macchiato is an espresso 'stained' (macchiato in Italian) with a small amount of milk foam or a splash of steamed milk. The traditional espresso macchiato — also called caffe macchiato — uses a single or double espresso topped with a teaspoon of foam to visually mark the coffee and slightly soften its bitterness, served in a 60–90 ml demitasse cup. It is the smallest milk-modified espresso drink. A latte macchiato (macchiato meaning 'marked milk') reverses the formula: steamed milk is stained with espresso poured slowly through the foam, creating visual layers.
Quick facts
- Type
- Coffee Drink
- Coffee base
- Single or double espresso (25–60 ml)
- Milk
- Small amount of milk foam or steamed milk
- Ratio
- Approximately 5:1 espresso to milk foam
- Traditional region
- Italy
Espresso Macchiato
The espresso macchiato (caffe macchiato or macchiato caldo) is the simplest milk-coffee drink: a single espresso topped with a small spoonful of foam, visually marking the dark espresso. The foam traditionally comes from the steam wand as a by-product of preparing milk for other drinks. The tiny amount of milk slightly reduces the perceived acidity and bitterness of the espresso without substantially changing its flavour. The standard Italian preparation is 25–35 ml espresso with 5–10 ml of foam in a 60 ml demitasse.
Latte Macchiato vs Espresso Macchiato
A latte macchiato ('stained milk') reverses the composition: a tall glass is filled with steamed milk, and espresso is poured slowly through the foam layer on top. The espresso marks the milk. The result shows three visible layers: foam on top, dark espresso in the middle, and white steamed milk at the bottom. Starbucks popularised a large, layered latte macchiato in North America beginning in the 1990s. The flavour is milder and sweeter than an espresso macchiato because the milk dominates.
Cortado and Macchiato
A cortado — popular in Spain and Latin America — is sometimes confused with a macchiato. A cortado (from 'cortar', to cut) uses approximately equal volumes of espresso and steamed flat milk (no foam), producing a small 60–90 ml drink. Unlike the macchiato's small foam addition, the cortado cuts the espresso's acidity with an equal measure of milk, producing a more balanced drink. A Gibraltar is the American specialty coffee equivalent — a double ristretto in a 4.5 oz glass with steamed milk.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-06
- industry-standard — accessed 2026-05-06
Frequently asked questions
What does macchiato mean in Italian?
Macchiato means 'stained' or 'marked' in Italian. Caffe macchiato means the espresso is stained with a small amount of milk. Latte macchiato means the milk is stained with espresso. The word captures the minimal visual modification — a mark rather than a blend.
Is a Starbucks macchiato the same as a traditional macchiato?
No. Starbucks' signature Caramel Macchiato is a large (240–360 ml) drink with vanilla syrup, steamed milk, espresso, and caramel drizzle — closer to a flavoured latte macchiato than a traditional Italian espresso macchiato. The traditional macchiato is 60–90 ml.
What is the difference between a macchiato and a cortado?
A macchiato uses a small amount of foam to mark espresso; a cortado uses equal volumes of espresso and flat steamed milk (no foam). The cortado is larger (80–100 ml) and smoother; the macchiato is smaller (60–90 ml) and more espresso-dominant.