Latte macchiato – recipe and guide

Latte macchiato is a mild and creamy coffee drink made with milk, milk foam, and espresso. It is often served in a tall glass, where the milk, coffee, and foam can form characteristic layers.

The name comes from Italian and roughly means "stained milk." It also describes the difference between a latte macchiato and a caffè macchiato: In a latte macchiato, it is the milk that is "stained" with espresso, whereas a caffè macchiato is espresso with a small amount of milk.

Here, you will find a simple latte macchiato recipe and tips on espresso, milk, temperature, and milk foam.

Quick latte macchiato recipe

For one large glass, you can start with:

• 1 espresso, approximately 25–40 ml
• Approximately 180–220 ml milk
• Milk foam
• A tall glass of approximately 250–300 ml

The measurements do not have to be exact. A latte macchiato is first and foremost a milk-based coffee drink, so you can adjust the ratio of espresso to milk according to how distinct you want the coffee flavor to be.

How to make a latte macchiato

1. Brew an espresso.
2. Heat and froth the milk.
3. Pour the hot milk and milk foam into a tall glass.
4. Let the milk sit for a moment so the foam gathers at the top.
5. Pour the espresso slowly down through the milk foam.
6. Serve immediately.

When the espresso is poured in after the milk, the characteristic layers can form with milk at the bottom, coffee in the middle, and milk foam at the top.

What is a latte macchiato?

A latte macchiato basically consists of espresso and hot, frothed milk.

The special part is the order of preparation.

For a latte macchiato, the espresso is poured into the milk. That is also why the name means "stained milk."

Similarly, Lavazza describes a latte macchiato as a milk-based beverage where a portion of espresso is added to the milk – unlike a regular caffe latte, where the milk is added to the espresso.

The drink typically has a milder coffee flavor than both espresso and cappuccino because a relatively large amount of milk is used.

Latte macchiato vs. caffe latte

Latte macchiato and caffe latte contain basically the same base ingredients:

• Espresso
• Hot milk
• Milk foam

The difference lies primarily in the ratio of the ingredients and the way the drink is constructed.

Latte macchiato

Here, the milk usually comes first, after which the espresso is poured in.

The drink is often served in a tall glass and contains a relatively large amount of milk.

Caffe latte

With a caffe latte, the espresso is brewed first, and then the hot milk is poured in.

The ingredients are therefore blended more thoroughly, and the drink usually does not appear with the same distinct layers.

A latte macchiato is therefore more about milk marked with coffee, while a caffe latte is based on espresso added to milk.

Latte macchiato vs. cappuccino

Both cappuccino and latte macchiato contain espresso and milk, but the results are different.

A cappuccino typically has a more distinct espresso flavor and is served in a smaller cup.

A latte macchiato usually contains more milk and is often served in a tall glass. Therefore, it becomes milder and more milk-dominated.

If you want to taste the espresso clearly, a cappuccino will often be a better choice.

If you prefer a soft and very milky coffee drink, a latte macchiato is the obvious choice.

Latte macchiato or macchiato?

These are two very different drinks despite their names.

Caffè macchiato or espresso macchiato is an espresso with a small amount of milk or milk foam.

Latte macchiato, on the other hand, is a large milk drink with espresso.

The Italian word "macchiato" means "stained" or "marked." In a caffè macchiato, the coffee is marked with milk, while the milk is marked with coffee in a latte macchiato.

Which coffee beans are best for latte macchiato?

Because a latte macchiato contains a relatively large amount of milk, it is an advantage to use coffee beans with enough body and intensity to still be tasted through the milk.

A medium-roast or dark-roast coffee is therefore a good starting point.

Medium-roast coffee

Can provide a good balance between sweetness, body, and the coffee's own flavor nuances.

It is a good choice if you want a mild latte macchiato where the coffee still has character.

Dark-roast coffee

Typically provides a stronger roast character and more intensity.

This can work well in a latte macchiato because the large amount of milk tempers the intensity of the coffee.

Light-roast coffee

Can also be used, but the more fruity and acidic profile may become less apparent when mixed with a lot of milk.

However, there is no fixed rule. Use the coffee beans that you personally think taste best with milk.

How much espresso should be in a latte macchiato?

One espresso is a good starting point for a regular glass of latte macchiato.

If you want a more distinct coffee flavor, you can use a double espresso.

The amount also depends on the size of the glass and the amount of milk.

The most important thing is to maintain the balance: a latte macchiato should still be clearly milk-based and distinguish itself from more espresso-intense coffee drinks.

Which milk is best?

Regular cow's milk works well, but you can also use plant-based alternatives.

The protein content of the milk has a major impact on how it froths, while the fat content affects, among other things, the mouthfeel and taste.

For plant-based milk, so-called "barista" versions can be easier to froth because they are often developed specifically for hot coffee drinks.

The most important thing is to choose a milk you like, and which can form a stable and creamy foam.

How hot should the milk be?

For milk-based coffee drinks, around 55–65 °C is a good operating range.

The milk should be hot and have a smooth, creamy texture, but it does not need to be boiled.

If the milk gets very hot, both the taste and texture can change.

If you are new to frothing milk, a milk thermometer can make it easier to hit roughly the same temperature every time.

How to froth milk for a latte macchiato

If your espresso machine has a steam wand, the goal should be a smooth and creamy milk foam.

Start with cold milk.

Place the tip of the steam wand just below the surface and add air in the beginning. Once the milk has reached the appropriate volume, lower the tip slightly so the milk begins to rotate.

The goal is not large, dry bubbles, but a more uniform foam.

For a latte macchiato, you can work with a little more foam than for, for example, a flat white.

Can you make a latte macchiato without an espresso machine?

Yes.

An espresso machine provides the most classic starting point, but you can also make a latte macchiato-like drink with concentrated coffee from, for example, a moka pot.

You just need to have a strong coffee that can still be tasted along with the relatively large amount of milk.

The milk can be frothed with, among other things:

• Electric milk frother
• Manual milk frother
• French press
• Handheld milk frother

The result will not necessarily be identical to espresso and steamed milk, but the principle is the same.

How to get layers in a latte macchiato

The distinct layers are a big part of the latte macchiato's appearance.

Start with hot, frothed milk in the glass.

Let it sit for a moment so the liquid milk and the foam begin to separate.

Then pour the espresso slowly through the foam.

It can help to pour the espresso over the back of a spoon if you want to make the stream more gentle.

The different layers occur, among other things, due to differences in density between milk, foam, and coffee.

The layers primarily affect the appearance – the drink does not need to have perfect layers to taste good.

What glass should you use?

Latte macchiato is traditionally often served in a tall glass.

This makes it possible to see the layers between the milk, coffee, and foam.

A glass of about 250–300 ml works well for a classic portion.

You can, of course, also use a regular cup. The glass primarily matters for the presentation.

Can you make a latte macchiato with oat milk?

Yes.

Oat milk is popular in milk-based coffee drinks and can work really well for a latte macchiato.

A barista version is often easier to froth than regular oat drink.

The taste will naturally be different than with cow's milk, and different brands react differently when heated and frothed.

Can a latte macchiato be made cold?

Yes.

You can make an iced latte macchiato with cold milk, espresso, and ice cubes.

Fill the glass with ice and milk, and then pour the espresso over it.

The result will be more refreshing and will not necessarily have the same layers as the hot version.

Typical mistakes when making a latte macchiato

If your latte macchiato does not turn out the way you want, there are a few things worth checking:

• The milk is boiled instead of just heated
• The milk foam has very large bubbles
• The espresso is too weak in relation to the amount of milk
• So much milk is used that the coffee taste almost disappears
• The espresso is poured in very quickly if you want distinct layers
• The milk sits for too long before the drink is served

The taste is more important than perfect layers. Therefore, start with a good espresso and well-frothed milk, and then work on the presentation.

Frequently asked questions about latte macchiato

What does latte macchiato mean?

Latte macchiato roughly means "stained milk" in Italian. The name refers to the fact that the milk is marked or "stained" with espresso.

What is the difference between a latte and a latte macchiato?

They both use espresso and milk, but the order and ratio are different. For a latte macchiato, the milk comes first and the espresso is added afterward. For a caffe latte, you usually start with espresso and add milk.

How much milk should be in a latte macchiato?

Around 180–220 ml of milk for one espresso is a fine starting point for a large glass. Adjust according to glass size and desired coffee taste.

How much coffee should be in it?

Start with one espresso of approximately 25–40 ml. You can optionally use a double espresso if you want more coffee flavor.

What is the difference between a cappuccino and a latte macchiato?

A latte macchiato typically contains more milk and therefore has a milder coffee taste. A cappuccino is usually served in a smaller cup and has a more distinct balance between espresso and milk.

Is a latte macchiato the same as a macchiato?

No. An espresso macchiato is primarily espresso with a small amount of milk. A latte macchiato is primarily milk with espresso.

Can I make a latte macchiato without an espresso machine?

Yes. You can, for example, use concentrated coffee from a moka pot and froth the milk separately.

Which coffee beans should I use?

Medium- and dark-roast coffee beans are good starting points because their body works well with milk.