If you have ever been to a cafe or coffee shop, you know that the drink menu can often times be overwhelming. As a coffee shop owner, there are so many types of coffee drinks you can offer your customers that it can be difficult to understand the difference between them. We explore the most popular coffee drinks and their recipes so you can get familiar with them and keep up with the current coffee trends.

We also offer recipe tastings, to help you understand the ratio differences and discover which drink best suits your pallet.

Different Coffee Drinks

Most coffee drinks consist of three common ingredients: espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Additional toppings can be added based on your unique preferences. The following are just some of the coffee drinks available on a coffee menu. It’s important to understand drink ratios

(coffee grounds:liquid) or g : ml

may vary from coffee shop to coffee shop and is different in every recipe.

Espresso

The espresso, also known as a pressed coffee, is approximately 25ml of highly concentrated coffee. It has a syrupy texture and bold in acidity. Usually goes with a few pulled faces on a first time experience. Although simple in appearance, it can be difficult to master.

It can be ordered in a single

24 –30ml or a double shot 40 –65ml

• Ratio: 1:2 =(coffee g : water ml) example of an single shot 10g : 20ml

• Cup: 50–100ml espresso cup

Americano

Americanos are popular breakfast drinks and thought to have originated during World War II. Soldiers would add water to their coffee to extend their rations farther. The water dilutes the espresso while still maintaining a concentrated coffee.

• Ratio: espresso:hot water = 1:6

• Cup: 150- 200ml cup

Some people wishes to order this with a bit of milk to dilute the bold coffee flavor.

Macchiato

A short drink consisting of espresso weather you prefer a single or double shot and a dash of foam on top. The word “macchiato” means mark or stain. This is a reference to the mark that steamed milk leaves on the surface of the espresso as it is dashed onto the drink. Flavoring syrups are often added to the drink according to your preference.

• Espresso Ratio: 1:2

• 2 teaspoons of steamed milk

• Cup: 50–100ml Espresso Cup

Cortado

The cortado takes the macchiato one step further by evenly balancing the espresso with warm milk in order to reduce the acidity.

• Ratio: 1 :1

espresso + milk

• Cup: 80ml cup

Piccolo

The piccolo takes the flat White one step back by evenly balancing the espresso with warm milk in order to reduce the acidity by having just a little bit less milk for the smaller cup but almost carry the same intensity as the flat white .

• Ratio: 1 : 2

espresso + milk

• Cup: 135ml cup.

   

Cappuccino

This creamy coffee drink is usually consumed at breakfast time in Italy and is loved all over the world as well. It is usually associated with indulgence and comfort due to it’s thick foam layer and additional flavorings that can be added to it.

• Single Ratio: 1:4:1

20–25ml espresso + 110 steamed milk + 80ml of foamed

• Cup: 180 ml cup (single)

• DBL Ratio: 1:4:1

40ml espresso + 170 steamed milk + 100ml of foamed

Flat White

A flat white originates from New Zealand and Australia and is very similar to a cappuccino but tends to be stronger. Using a double espresso extracted shorter than normal, topped with steamed milk with less foam than a cappuccino.

• Ratio: 1:4

Ristretto espresso + steamed milk

• Cup: 180 ml cup

Cafe Latte

Cafe lattes are considered to be an introductory coffee drink since the acidity and bitterness of coffee is cut by the amount of milk in the beverage. Flavoring syrups are often added to the latte for those who enjoy sweeter drinks. Espresso should be served on the side to let the customer decide how much coffee to add.

• Ratio: 1:5:2

espresso + milk + 1 cm of foam

• Cup: 280ml tall cup

Mocha

The mocha is considered to be like a coffee and hot chocolate hybrid. The chocolate powder or syrup gives it a rich and creamy flavor and cuts the acidity of the espresso. In essence it is a hot chocolate with an added espresso.

• Ratio: 1:1:2:1

espresso + hot chocolate + milk + 1 cm of foam

• Cup: 280 ml tall cup

Iced Coffee

Iced Coffee Iced coffees become very popular in the summer time in the United States. The recipes do have some variance, with some locations choosing to interchange milk with water in the recipe. Often, different flavoring syrups will be added per the preference of the customer.

• Ratio: 1:2:3:3

flavoring syrup + espresso + ice + milk or water

• Cup: 280 ml cup

Conclusion Being familiar with different types of coffee drinks helps you make confident decisions on your coffee order. Some recipes may vary from coffee shop to coffee shop depending on the culture.