Think your morning cup of joe is as good as it gets? Think again. While names like café au lait, café con leche, flat white, and latte all translate to “coffee with milk,” each offers a unique experience. These drinks differ in their coffee base—be it espresso or brewed coffee—the texture of milk, foam presence, and serving style. From the robust espresso of a flat white to the creamy balance of a café au lait, there’s a world of flavors waiting to be explored. Dive into these 15 must-try coffee drinks and discover the nuances that make each one special.
1. Espresso
Small but mighty, espresso forms the backbone of coffee culture worldwide. This concentrated shot packs a flavor punch by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure.
Traditionally served in a tiny porcelain cup, true espresso features a rich golden-brown crema on top—a sign of proper extraction. Many coffee enthusiasts enjoy it straight, savoring its intense flavor profile that can range from chocolatey to fruity depending on the bean origin.
While it might seem intimidating at first sip, learning to appreciate espresso opens the door to understanding coffee’s fundamental character and complexity.
2. Americano
Born from American soldiers’ desire for familiar coffee during World War II in Italy, the Americano offers approachability without sacrificing character. Baristas create this drink by diluting espresso with hot water, resulting in a cup that resembles drip coffee but maintains espresso’s distinctive depth.
The beauty of an Americano lies in its customizability—you control the strength by adjusting the water-to-espresso ratio. The hot water softens espresso’s intensity while preserving its complex flavor notes.
Perfect for espresso lovers seeking a longer-lasting drink or those transitioning from regular drip coffee into the specialty coffee world.
3. Latte
Velvety steamed milk embraces espresso in this beloved coffee shop staple. The latte’s magic happens when baristas combine one-third espresso with two-thirds steamed milk, topped with a whisper-thin layer of microfoam.
Its mild, approachable flavor makes the latte a gateway drink for many coffee beginners. The high milk content smooths out espresso’s bitter edges while adding natural sweetness. Skilled baristas often showcase their artistic talents through latte art—creating hearts, rosettas, or even intricate designs on the surface.
Flavor variations abound with vanilla, caramel, or seasonal syrups that transform this everyday pleasure into a customized treat.
4. Cappuccino
Named for its resemblance to Capuchin monks’ robes, the cappuccino achieves perfect harmony through equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. This Italian classic delivers a stronger coffee flavor than a latte while maintaining delightful creaminess.
The foam cap insulates the drink, keeping it warmer longer while providing a luxurious mouthfeel. Traditionally served in a 5-6 ounce cup, authentic cappuccinos are smaller than many chain coffee shops suggest.
Italians consider cappuccino strictly a morning beverage, never to be consumed after 11 AM—though coffee lovers worldwide enjoy this balanced delight throughout the day, often dusted with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
5. Flat White
Australia and New Zealand both claim to have invented this creamy revelation that’s taken specialty coffee shops by storm. The flat white features espresso combined with microfoam—steamed milk with tiny, barely visible bubbles that create a silky-smooth texture.
What sets it apart from a latte is the higher coffee-to-milk ratio and the microfoam’s velvety consistency throughout the entire drink. Served in a smaller cup than a latte, the flat white delivers a more pronounced espresso flavor without sacrificing creaminess.
Baristas pull ristretto shots (shorter, more concentrated espresso) for authentic flat whites, creating a sweeter, more intense coffee experience that pairs perfectly with the silky milk.
6. Macchiato
“Macchiato” means “stained” or “spotted” in Italian, perfectly describing this espresso “stained” with just a dollop of milk foam. Unlike chain coffee shops’ caramel-drizzled confections, a traditional macchiato remains firmly espresso-forward.
The small amount of milk foam softens espresso’s edge without diluting its intensity. Served in an espresso cup, this drink offers coffee purists a way to enjoy milk’s creaminess while keeping the focus squarely on the coffee’s character.
A proper macchiato provides the perfect middle ground between straight espresso and milk-heavy drinks—ideal for afternoons when you need a gentle caffeine kick without overwhelming dairy.
7. Mocha
Chocolate and coffee form an irresistible partnership in this indulgent creation. The mocha combines espresso and steamed milk with chocolate syrup or cocoa powder, often crowned with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Named after Mocha, Yemen—one of coffee’s birthplaces where beans naturally developed chocolate-like flavor notes—this drink celebrates coffee’s natural affinity with cocoa. The chocolate softens coffee’s bitterness while complementing its roasted qualities.
Perfect for those with a sweet tooth or coffee newcomers, mochas serve as delicious dessert-like treats while still providing that necessary caffeine boost. Dark chocolate versions offer a more sophisticated flavor profile with less sweetness than their milk chocolate counterparts.
8. Cortado
Harmony exists in the cortado’s perfect 1:1 ratio of espresso to steamed milk. This Spanish coffee creation (meaning “cut” in Spanish) cuts espresso’s acidity with just enough warm milk to create balance without overwhelming the coffee.
Traditionally served in a small glass, the cortado contains minimal foam—just enough steamed milk to temper the espresso’s strength. Its modest 4-ounce size makes it ideal for midday consumption when you want coffee’s pleasure without excessive volume.
The cortado has gained popularity among coffee enthusiasts seeking nuanced flavor without the milkiness of larger drinks. Its simplicity showcases quality espresso while the small milk portion adds subtle sweetness and body.
9. Irish Coffee
Invented on a cold Irish night to warm transatlantic travelers, Irish Coffee combines hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and a float of cream for a spirited pick-me-up. The true magic happens in the layering—hot coffee and whiskey mixture on bottom, cold cream carefully poured over the back of a spoon to float on top.
When made properly, you sip the warm, sweetened coffee-whiskey through the cool layer of cream. The contrast between temperatures and the mingling flavors create a sensory delight.
Modern variations might include Bailey’s Irish Cream or different whiskey types, but the classic remains unbeatable for warming both body and spirit on chilly evenings.
10. Cold Brew
Patience rewards cold brew lovers with incredibly smooth, low-acid coffee that’s perfect for summer days. Unlike iced coffee (hot coffee poured over ice), cold brew steeps coarsely-ground beans in cold water for 12-24 hours, creating a concentrated coffee with distinctive character.
The slow extraction process pulls different compounds from the beans than hot methods, resulting in naturally sweeter, less bitter flavors. Many people who find regular coffee too harsh on their stomachs can enjoy cold brew’s gentler profile.
Served over ice and diluted with water or milk to taste, cold brew maintains its strength without becoming watery as the ice melts—making it the ideal refreshing caffeine fix during warmer months.
11. Frappuccino
Popularized by Starbucks in the 1990s, Frappuccinos transformed coffee into a dessert-like experience accessible even to those who don’t love coffee’s taste. This blended beverage combines coffee, milk, ice, and sweet flavorings into a slushy consistency topped with whipped cream.
Available in countless variations from caramel to matcha to seasonal offerings, Frappuccinos often contain additional ingredients like chocolate chips or cookie pieces blended throughout. Their thick texture requires drinking through a wide straw, creating a unique sensory experience.
While coffee purists might scoff, these sweet treats have introduced millions to coffee culture and provide a playful alternative to traditional preparations—especially appealing during hot weather.
12. Café au Lait
Simplicity shines in this French breakfast classic combining equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk. Unlike espresso-based drinks, café au lait uses strong brewed coffee (often from a French press) as its foundation.
Traditionally served in wide, bowl-like cups perfect for dipping buttery croissants, this morning ritual embodies French café culture. The larger serving size makes it ideal for lingering over breakfast while watching the world pass by.
The roughly equal coffee-to-milk ratio creates a milder flavor than espresso drinks while still delivering enough caffeine to start the day. Home brewers appreciate its accessibility—no espresso machine required to create this comforting classic.
13. Affogato
Straddling the line between beverage and dessert, affogato delivers a sensory thrill through temperature and texture contrasts. The concept couldn’t be simpler—a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream “drowned” (affogato in Italian) with a shot of hot espresso.
The magic happens as the espresso melts the frozen cream, creating a delicious puddle of sweet, coffee-infused cream at the bottom. Eaten with a spoon rather than sipped, affogato provides the perfect light dessert after a meal.
Creative variations include additions like chocolate shavings, crushed amaretti cookies, or a splash of liqueur like Frangelico or Amaretto to enhance the flavor experience even further.
14. Breve
Half-and-half replaces milk in this luxuriously rich American creation. The breve combines espresso with steamed half-and-half (a blend of milk and cream), creating a drink with unparalleled velvety texture and indulgent mouthfeel.
Higher fat content in half-and-half produces exceptionally creamy foam and naturally sweeter flavor, often eliminating the need for added sugar. This richness comes at a caloric cost, making breves occasional treats rather than daily drinks for most coffee lovers.
Popular as a latte alternative in American specialty coffee shops, breves satisfy those seeking maximum creaminess. The drink’s name comes from the Italian word for “short,” though ironically, American cafés often serve breves in the same large sizes as lattes.
15. Café con Leche
Strong and sweet defines Spain’s beloved café con leche—a breakfast staple across the country. Baristas create this morning essential by combining equal parts strong espresso or darkly brewed coffee with scalded milk (heated to just below boiling).
Unlike Italian milk-based coffees, café con leche uses higher-temperature milk without focusing on foam or texture. The result delivers bold coffee flavor with milk’s creaminess in a satisfying balance.
Spaniards often sweeten their café con leche and pair it with churros for dipping—creating the ultimate breakfast indulgence. The drink varies slightly by region, with some areas preferring a higher coffee-to-milk ratio for a stronger morning jolt.
Leave a comment