What Is Macchiato Coffee? Explained

A macchiato is an espresso-based drink with just a small amount of milk. The word “macchiato” means “stained” or “marked” in Italian. So a traditional macchiato is espresso stained with a spoonful of milk foam. It is not a latte. It is not a cappuccino. It is a small, strong coffee with a touch of milk.

There are two main versions of this drink. In Italy, the classic caffè macchiato is a single or double shot of espresso topped with a dollop of steamed milk foam. In America, the latte macchiato is the opposite — warm milk stained with a shot of espresso poured on top. These are very different drinks under the same name. Knowing which one you are ordering matters.

What Is Macchiato Coffee Exactly?

A traditional macchiato is espresso with a small amount of milk foam on top. That is the whole drink. It is served in a small cup, usually about 2 to 3 ounces. The milk is not mixed in. It sits on top as a foam mark.

The drink was created in Italy as a way for baristas to show servers which drinks had milk in them. A plain espresso was unmarked. An espresso with a drop of milk was “macchiato” — marked. It was a practical signal, not a fancy menu item.

Today many coffee shops offer a “macchiato” that is actually a flavored latte in a small cup. A caramel macchiato from a large chain is a vanilla latte with caramel drizzle. It contains several ounces of milk. That is not a traditional macchiato. It is a marketing name for a different drink.

How Is a Macchiato Different From a Latte and a Cappuccino?

The main difference is the ratio of espresso to milk. A macchiato has very little milk. A latte has a lot of milk. A cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.

Here is a simple comparison:

A traditional macchiato is closer to a straight espresso than to a latte. It is strong. The milk does not dilute the coffee flavor. It only softens the bitterness slightly on the surface.

A latte macchiato is the opposite. It is mostly steamed milk with a small amount of espresso poured through the foam. The milk dominates. The coffee is a flavor accent. If you want a milk-forward drink, order a latte. If you want a coffee-forward drink with a touch of milk, order a traditional macchiato.

What Does a Traditional Macchiato Taste Like?

A traditional macchiato tastes like espresso with a creamy top note. The first sip hits the foam, which is airy and mild. The rest of the drink is bold and concentrated espresso. The foam adds a slight sweetness and smooth texture, but the coffee flavor is still the star.

The taste depends on the espresso beans and the roast. A dark roast will be bitter and smoky. A medium roast will have more acidity and fruit notes. The milk foam does not change the flavor much. It just rounds off the sharp edges.

This drink is not for people who dislike strong coffee. If you usually add sugar and cream to your coffee, a traditional macchiato will taste harsh. You can add sugar, but the drink is meant to be small and intense.

How Is a Macchiato Made?

A traditional macchiato is simple to make. A barista pulls a shot of espresso into a small cup. Then they add a small amount of steamed milk foam on top. That is it. The foam is usually spooned on so it sits on the surface without mixing.

The milk is steamed to create thick microfoam. The barista uses a spoon to hold back the liquid milk and scoop only the foam. A proper macchiato has foam, not liquid milk. The amount is about one tablespoon of foam per shot.

A latte macchiato is made differently. The barista steams a cup of milk first. Then they pull a shot of espresso and pour it slowly through the center of the foam. The espresso sinks through the foam and creates a layered look — white foam on top, dark coffee below, and milk at the bottom.

At home you can make a macchiato with an espresso machine. Pull a shot. Steam a small amount of milk. Spoon the foam onto the espresso. If you do not have an espresso machine, you cannot make a true macchiato. Strong brewed coffee is not a substitute. The drink depends on the concentrated flavor and crema of espresso.

Is a Macchiato Stronger Than Regular Coffee?

A macchiato has more caffeine per ounce than drip coffee. But the total caffeine per serving is lower because the serving size is much smaller.

A single shot of espresso has about 63 milligrams of caffeine. A double shot has about 125 milligrams. A traditional macchiato uses one or two shots. A standard 8-ounce cup of drip coffee has about 95 milligrams of caffeine. So a double-shot macchiato has more caffeine than a single cup of drip coffee, but in a much smaller volume.

If you compare by ounce, espresso is about four times stronger than drip coffee. That is why the macchiato feels intense. You are drinking a concentrated dose of caffeine in two or three sips.

For people who are sensitive to caffeine, a single-shot macchiato is a better choice than a double. You still get the strong coffee flavor without the high caffeine load.

Common Misunderstandings About Macchiato Coffee

The biggest misunderstanding is that a macchiato is a sweet drink. It is not. A traditional macchiato has no added sugar. The milk foam is not sweetened. The caramel macchiato sold at coffee chains is a flavored latte with about 25 grams of sugar. That drink is nothing like the original.

Another misunderstanding is that a macchiato is a type of coffee bean. It is not. It is a preparation method. Any espresso roast can be used. The drink is defined by the ratio of espresso to milk, not by the bean origin.

Some people think a macchiato is the same as a cortado. They are similar but not identical. A cortado is espresso with a small amount of warm milk mixed in. The milk is not foamed. The ratio is usually 1:1 or 1:2 espresso to milk. A macchiato has less milk and the milk is foamed on top, not mixed.

There is also confusion about the iced version. An iced macchiato is common in American coffee shops. It is made with cold milk, ice, and espresso poured on top. That drink is technically an iced latte with a different pour technique. It is not a true macchiato because there is no foam. But the name has stuck.