What Is a Macchiato

The macchiato may be the most confused drink in coffee because two completely different drinks share the same name. Understanding the difference helps you order what you actually want.

The espresso macchiato

The original macchiato is espresso macchiato: a shot of espresso marked with a small amount of milk foam. The Italian word macchiato means stained or marked. The espresso is stained with just enough milk to soften the acidity and round the flavor without fundamentally changing the character of the drink. It is typically served in a demitasse cup and is a 2-3 ounce drink.

The latte macchiato

The latte macchiato reverses the construction: it is steamed milk marked with espresso. The milk is poured first and the espresso is added on top, creating layers. This produces a sweeter, milkier drink that is closer to a warm milk drink with a coffee element than it is to an espresso drink. The large-format versions sold at major chains are in this category.

Why the distinction matters

If you order a macchiato at a specialty cafe expecting the coffee-forward espresso macchiato and you receive a 16-ounce layered milk drink, you have been served something made famous by a major chain that happens to share the name. Knowing which you want and asking clearly prevents this confusion.

The caramel macchiato problem

The caramel macchiato sold at major chains is not a macchiato in any traditional sense. It is a vanilla latte with caramel drizzle, labeled macchiato for marketing reasons. It is its own category of drink and should be evaluated on its own terms rather than compared to the espresso drink it is named after.

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Related reading: espresso, cortado, cappuccino.

Every macchiato you order at a real cafe qualifies as a check-in on Pulled Coffee.