Latte, Cappuccino, Macchiato: Different Coffee Drinks Explained

If you're not a coffee connoisseur, the menu at your local shop might seem like it's written in a different language (and sometimes it is). What does "flat white" mean? Espressino? Ristretto? You likely already have an established order for your morning cup, but if you don't know what else is out there, you might be missing out on the next best thing. From lattes and cappuccinos to macchiatos and frappuccinos, here are all the different types of coffee drinks, explained.

Espresso is a little different from coffee, even though they come from the same bean (which is actually a type of cherry seed). It's the preparation that sets them apart. First of all, you can't use a standard coffee maker to brew espresso. It's best to use an actual espresso machine. The beans are ground more finely than standard coffee, tamped down and brewed with pressurized, hot water into a tiny ceramic cup. The end result is 1 to 2 ounces of a concentrated, full-flavored beverage that can be consumed on its own or as a base for other coffee drinks.

Lungo — Italian for "long" — is a larger shot of espresso, comparable to a "doppio" or double shot. It requires more water than a standard shot of espresso.

An espressino is made with espresso, which is topped with steamed milk, cocoa powder and sometimes Nutella.

A cappuccino is very similar to a latte, but it has more foam and less milk. After the shot of espresso goes in, steamed milk fills the middle of the cup, and then it's topped off with a thick layer of milk foam and sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon.

An Americano skips the dairy altogether. It includes two shots of espresso and hot water. The ratio for this drink should be one part espresso and two parts water.

Iced coffee is just drip coffee that's been chilled down.

If you're a fan of Starbucks, you've likely seen a Frappuccino before. The drink, which is trademarked by the chain, features a coffee or cream base blended with ice and other ingredients, topped with whipped cream, flavored syrups and sometimes cookie crumbles. They're very similar to a milkshake, making them among the unhealthiest items on Starbucks' drink menu.

A black eye, on the other hand, is drip coffee with two shots of espresso added.

The cortado, which originated in Spain, is equal parts espresso and steamed milk. The name is derived from the Spanish verb for "to cut," referring to the milk mellowing the bold espresso.

Caffè breve is made like a cappuccino, but with steamed half-and-half instead of milk. This makes the foam a lot creamier.

To make a long black, fill 80% of your cup with hot water and add a shot (or two) of espresso. It's comparable to an Americano.

Café bombon is one part espresso and one part sweetened condensed milk. Whipped cream tops it all off. In its native country of Spain, it's often consumed as dessert.