It’s served at 10-12 ounces and can be difficult to distinguish from a standard latte until you taste it. On the other hand, a mocha looks like a regular-sized cup of coffee. A single is served at about 1 fluid ounce and looks like something a doll might drink. If you’ve never ordered an espresso macchiato, brace yourself for its diminutive stature. And the size difference between these drinks is something that will stick with you. There are few things more powerful than a first impression. With that context in mind, let’s compare a traditional macchiato and a cafe mocha. It gives a more specific representation of caramel and latte macchiato. I’ve written a direct comparison of latte vs mocha here. For this article, I’ll focus specifically on the classic drinks, not the newer adaptations. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between mocha and macchiato. Depending on where you order, you may also find a mocha served iced or as a frappe. It’s rich, creamy, super-chocolatey, and has a blast of caffeine from the espresso. If you love coffee and chocolate, there are few things more luxurious than this. In many cases, it’s topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate on top or even a chocolate syrup drizzle on top. Espresso is mixed with chocolate syrup at the bottom of the cup. Most are superficial and have to do with the toppings.Ĭafe mocha is served as a 10-12 ounce drink. Like a macchiato, there are also several variations of a cafe mocha. That way, you’ll get your favorite type of macchiato, not theirs. Understand the main differences from the other drinks people call a “ macchiato,” and talk to the barista about your preferences when you order. The most important thing is finding the balance between milk and coffee that works for you.

Which type of macchiato is the real thing? Ultimately, that’s not up to me to decide. You can offset some of the sweetness by adding more espresso, particularly a darker roast with more bitterness and robust flavor. It’s a very sweet drink, overpowering for some people. You may have already guessed that caramel is considered the “stain” in this drink. Top it with steamed milk, and apply a criss-cross pattern of caramel sauce atop the surface layer of foam. To prepare a caramel macchiato, add half an ounce of vanilla syrup and a shot of espresso. To be fair, a Starbucks caramel macchiato is about as far away as you can get from the original drink. The Starbucks caramel macchiato is rich in flavor and sweetness. You’ve probably heard of their Caramel Macchiato. Much as they’ve done with a traditional cafe latte, large chains like Starbucks have given a newer sweeter take on the Latte Macchiato. It’s basically a latte, with a slightly different presentation. Some baristas pour the espresso over the back of a spoon to diffuse it better across the surface. Then sprinkle an espresso shot over the top to “stain” it. To prepare this drink, fill a tall glass with about 200 mL of steamed milk.

Rather than staining espresso with a dab of milk, a latte macchiato does the opposite. It’s a larger drink where steamed milk is the dominant ingredient. If you’re placing a coffee order in a cafe that gravitates toward sweet and milky coffee, the drink you ordered is probably a Latte Macchiato.Ī latte macchiato doesn’t look or taste anything like the traditional version. Not everyone agrees – or so say their menus. My rule of thumb says if your drink includes as much milk as coffee, it isn’t a macchiato. Often these milk-heavy variations create a drink that is more similar to a cortado or piccolo latte. More milk means less bitterness and espresso intensity. Some shops have taken to adding more milk to a traditional macchiato. It’s a tiny drink and not as sweet as what is served in most chains. A double is the same drink, only more of it.Ī third-wave coffee shop is where you’re most likely to encounter a traditional macchiato espresso drinks. In some cases, it can be prepared as a Long (Double) Macchiato. This drink is for you if you want to take the edge off of straight espresso.Ī traditional macchiato is usually served as a single shot. The Italian word “macchiato” literally means “stained,” which, in this case, is exactly what the milk is doing to the coffee. Traditional MacchiatoĪ traditional espresso macchiato is made by dribbling a tiny dot of steamed milk on top of a single shot of espresso. Here are a few of the most common takes on a macchiato. From one cafe to the next, it’s prepared in dramatically different fashions. Macchiato is one of the most confusing coffee orders.

Difference between mocha and macchiato