Latte Macchiato is authentic Italian espresso with just a dollop of froth in the center. If you wish your cappuccino or caffe latte had just a little less milk, this is the brew for you.

What Is Latte Macchiato?
Directly translated to “marked milk,” espresso macchiato is made with just a drop or two of frothy milk. It balances this strong coffee with just a hint of milk.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- whole milk
- robusta espresso
- sugar
(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)
How to Make Latte Macchiato
- Use a steam nozzle on your espresso maker to make the froth. If you don’t have one, whisk the milk in a saucepan over medium heat to ensure froth builds on the top.
- Pour the milk into a heat-resistant cup and keep the froth from spilling out with a spatula.
- Put the frothed milk on top of the hot milk.
- Allow the milk to cool for 2 to 3 minutes so the coffee is hotter than the milk when it’s poured in.
- Pour the espresso over the frothy milk very slowly.
- The coffee will sit just above the milk but below the foam. Add sugar if desired and serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Let your frothed milk cool for 2 to 3 minutes before you pour the espresso into the cup. It allows the froth to remain intact, so it will sit on top of the coffee instead of mixing into it.
- Skim milk froths better than whole milk since it is lighter and contains less fat. However, whole or semi-skim milk is tastier.
Caffe Latte vs Cappuccino vs Latte Macchiato?
Though they are prepared in similar ways, latte macchiato is very different from a caffe latte or a cappuccino. It has less coffee, less milk, and the taste is generally stronger.
The trick to making a perfect cappuccino is combining equal parts espresso, hot milk, and milk froth. A cappuccino cup is smaller than a latte and overall contains more milk. The perfect cappuccino comes in a white porcelain 5 to 6 oz. cup. Start by pouring in the espresso and the hot milk. Then top with froth.
When making a caffe latte, there is more hot milk than espresso. The ratio in a latte is divided into 5 parts: 3 parts hot milk, 1 part espresso, and 1 part froth.
Is A Macchiato Stronger Than A Latte?
Macchiato is mainly strong espresso whereas the latte is mainly milk. Macchiato is definitely stronger than both a latte or a cappuccino.
Does Latte Macchiato Have More Milk?
No. Latte macchiato has less milk than a cappuccino or a cafe latte.
Perfect Latte Macchiato Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 shot robusta espresso
- sugar to taste
Instructions
- Use a steam nozzle on your espresso maker to make the froth. If you don’t have one, whisk the milk in a saucepan over medium heat to ensure froth builds on the top.
- Pour the milk into a heat-resistant cup and keep the froth from spilling out with a spatula.
- Put the frothed milk on top of the hot milk.
- Allow the milk to cool for 2 to 3 minutes so the coffee is hotter than the milk when it’s poured in.
- Pour the espresso over the frothy milk very slowly.
- The coffee will sit just above the milk but below the foam. Add sugar if desired and serve.
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