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Classic Coffee Drinks

 

# Espresso Macchiato

 

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: Macchiato Hot Coffee Dairy Milk Foam

 

Active time: approximately 4 minutesYield: 1 serving

 

## Quick answer

**The recipe** reserves most of the frothed milk for another drink and uses only **a small amount** on the espresso. That keeps the coffee concentrated while softening the first sip. Froth the milk separately and spoon foam onto the shot rather than pouring the entire pitcher into the cup.

## Key takeaways

- The recipe reserves most of the frothed milk for another drink and uses only a small amount on the espresso.

- Milk foam should be smooth enough to sit on the espresso without large, dry bubbles.

- The ingredient list includes more milk than the small foam topping requires.

 

![Espresso being brewed into two white cups.](https://www.coffeejay.com/assets/editorial/espresso-in-two-white-cups.avif)

Espresso being brewed into two white cups.

## Ingredients

 

- 30 ml espresso
 
- **40 ml whole milk** for frothing, of which only **10–15 ml foam** is used.

 

## Method

- Brew the espresso.

- Froth the milk separately and spoon 1 tablespoon of **milk foam** onto the espresso.

- Reserve the remaining milk for another drink.

 

### Keep the texture light

 

Milk foam should be smooth enough to sit on the espresso without large, dry bubbles. If the foam is too stiff, swirl the pitcher gently before spooning. Use the reserved **warm milk** promptly in another coffee rather than leaving it at **room temperature**.

 

An espresso macchiato starts with espresso and adds a small mark of milk. **A latte** macchiato starts with milk and adds espresso, so the names describe opposite builds. For a larger cup, compare the [**cappuccino**](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-cappuccino/) or [caffè latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-caff-latte/).

## Use the reserved milk thoughtfully

 

The ingredient list includes more milk than **the small foam** topping requires. The method reserves the rest for another drink; refrigerate it promptly if you are not using it right away, and follow the milk package’s storage guidance. Do not pour all of it into the macchiato or the result will resemble **a small latte** instead.

 

### Macchiato names can be confusing

 

An **espresso** macchiato starts with espresso and adds a small mark of milk. A latte macchiato starts with milk and adds espresso, often showing layers. Cafés may use different cup sizes and **foam** amounts, so ask for the style you mean when ordering.

 

For more milk, try a [**cortado**](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-cortado/); for a foam-forward cup, **compare** the [cappuccino](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/classic-coffee-drinks/classic-cappuccino/).

If the reserved milk is not used in another drink, chill it promptly rather than leaving it on the counter. The small foam topping can be made with dairy or a milk alternative that froths well, but different products create different bubble sizes and flavors. **The espresso** remains the base of the drink, so keep the topping modest.

## A tip for serving

Only a small portion of the prepared milk goes into the cup. Do not add it all; the milk is a small accent on **the espresso**.

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

- [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/)