Introduction
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through how to create the 12 most common coffee shop drinks you'll find on any café menu. Whether you're looking to improve your skills or just curious about the coffee-making process, this blog post and our video will be your ultimate guide.
Skip straight our video. If you want our downloadable PDF you will find it at the bottom of the page.
Short Black (Espresso)
A short black, commonly known as espresso, is the foundation of many coffee drinks. It's prepared with a double shot of espresso, which typically yields around 45 grams of liquid in about 30 to 32 seconds.
Short Macchiato
A short macchiato is a simple yet delightful coffee. It starts with a double shot of espresso, and then you add a small amount of textured milk. It's essentially a short black "stained" with milk.
Long Black
A long black is a coffee drink that emphasizes a strong extraction. Use a double espresso shot and add hot water, allowing the crema to float on top. The goal is to maintain the rich crema on the surface.
Long Macchiato
Transform your long black into a long macchiato by adding a dollop of frothy milk. The name "macchiato" means "stained" in Italian, so this drink features a subtle milk stain in your long black coffee.
Latte
A latte is a milkier coffee option. Use a single shot of espresso and froth the milk, aiming for around 10 milliliters of froth. Pour the milk over the espresso for a creamy, smooth latte.
Piccolo Latte
A piccolo latte is a smaller version of a latte. It uses a single shot of espresso and is served in a small glass with the same froth consistency as a regular latte.
Flat White
For a flat white, use a single shot of espresso and froth the milk with a short burst of air for a couple of seconds. This creates a silky microfoam that you pour over the espresso, resulting in a balanced coffee with a thinner layer of froth.
Cappuccino
A cappuccino features a rich and frothy top layer. Add a single shot of espresso and froth the milk for about five to six seconds to achieve a generous froth. Dust the top with cocoa or chocolate for a classic presentation.
Hot Chocolate
Prepare a hot chocolate by mixing chocolate powder with boiling water, similar to an espresso shot. Pour frothy milk over the chocolate mixture to create a rich and indulgent hot chocolate.
Mocha
A mocha combines the best of both worlds—coffee and chocolate. Prepare it like a latte but add a teaspoon of chocolate directly to the espresso shot before pouring frothy milk over it. This creates a delightful coffee-chocolate fusion.
Babyccino
A babyccino is a kid-friendly drink that shouldn't be overlooked. Froth a small amount of milk without heating it excessively, and pour it into a takeaway cup or child-safe container. The goal is to have a fluffy, lukewarm drink that won't burn young taste buds.
Conclusion
There you have it – a comprehensive guide on how to make the most common coffee shop drinks. Whether you're an aspiring barista or a coffee aficionado, mastering these drinks will elevate your coffee game and ensure that you're prepared to meet the demands of any café menu.
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Happy brewing!
really helpful content
Thankiiies 🤍
10/10 Informative, clear and concise. Thank you.
Thank you. I’m a coffee lover and just bought my first expresso machine, a DeLonghi. My daughter has a much more expensive machine but suggested that this would be a good starting point for me. Your explanations were so clear and now I feel that I can be a more informed consumer when visiting my coffee shop.
i love it