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Classic Coffee Drinks

 

# Classic Cortado

 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/)

 

Category: [Classic Coffee Drinks](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/)Tags: Cortado Hot Coffee Dairy Small Drink

 

Active time: approximately 4 minutesYield: 1 serving

 

## Quick answer

The listed 40 ml of espresso and 40 ml of milk create a simple one-to-one starting point. **A cortado** is meant to soften espresso without turning it into a large, milk-forward drink. Cafés use different shot sizes and ratios, so treat this home version as one clear interpretation rather than a rule for every cortado.

## Key takeaways

- The listed 40 ml of espresso and 40 ml of milk create a simple one-to-one starting point.

- The method asks for only a small amount of foam.

- A small heat-safe glass makes the proportions visible, but a small cup works just as well.

 

![Two milk coffee drinks served in glasses.](https://www.coffeejay.com/assets/editorial/milk-coffee-in-glasses.avif)

Two milk coffee drinks served in glasses.

## Ingredients

 

- 40 ml espresso
 
- **40 ml whole milk**.

 

## Method

- Brew **the espresso** into a small glass.

- Heat the milk and add a very **small amount of foam**, then combine **equal volumes** of coffee and milk.

 

## Keep the milk smooth and restrained

 

The method asks for only **a small amount of foam**. Warm the milk and create **a fine texture**, then pour it into the espresso while both are fresh. Thick, dry foam can make the drink feel more like a small cappuccino and obscure the balanced coffee-and-milk character.

 

### Serving and variations

 

**A small heat-safe glass** makes **the proportions** visible, but a small cup works just as well. If you prefer a stronger drink, use less milk next time; if the espresso is too intense, add a little more. Note the change so you can repeat the version you like.

 

For more milk and a larger cup, compare a [caffè latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-caff-latte/). For a foamier profile, try the [**cappuccino** recipe](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-cappuccino/).

## Choosing the espresso for a cortado

 

A cortado is small, so a shot that tastes sharply sour or overly bitter will remain noticeable even after milk is added. Taste the espresso first and adjust the grind or **shot yield** if needed. Do not use more milk to hide a shot you do not enjoy; that changes the drink’s balance rather than improving the extraction.

 

### Milk alternatives

 

Oat or soy milk can work in a cortado, though sweetness and foam vary by product. Warm only the amount you plan to use and **pour gently**. Because the serving is small, even a modest change in milk can noticeably change the coffee-to-milk balance.

Because the recipe is small, use a clean, **pre-warmed cup** if you want the drink to stay comfortable to sip. Avoid letting the espresso stand while you heat the milk; combining them soon after brewing keeps the coffee aroma clearer.

## A tip for serving

Use a small glass or cup. **Equal volumes** of coffee and milk keep the espresso prominent; a large glass can tempt you to add more milk than needed.

## Further reading

For background on [**espresso**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso) and [milk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk), see Wikipedia.

[Back to Classic Coffee Drinks](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/) 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/). [Read our editorial approach](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/editorial-policy/).

This recipe is an editorial starting formulation, not a documented CoffeeJay kitchen test. Adjust flavour and quantities to your ingredients and equipment.

## Related recipes

- [Classic Caffè Latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-caff-latte/)

- [Classic Cappuccino](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-cappuccino/)

- [Classic Espresso](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-espresso/)