Short answer
A macchiato, or espresso macchiato, is a shot of espresso topped with a small spoonful of steamed milk foam. The Italian word means “stained” or “marked.” It is a small, strong drink, very different from a latte macchiato or a sweet chain-style macchiato.
A macchiato is a small espresso drink in which a shot of espresso is marked with a spoonful of milk foam, and what is a macchiato in practice depends on the country and the cafe. The classic Italian version is mostly espresso with a dot of foam, while chain versions can be large, sweet and milky.
What is a macchiato?
A macchiato, properly called an espresso macchiato, is one or two shots of espresso with a small amount of steamed milk foam spooned on top. The word macchiato is Italian for “stained” or “marked,” which describes the white spot on the dark coffee.
The drink is served in a small espresso cup, often with a glass of water on the side. The foam softens the sharpest edge of the espresso without turning it into a milk drink. In Italy, the order is common at the counter in the morning and after meals.
What does a macchiato taste like?
An espresso macchiato tastes like espresso with a gentle, creamy finish. Because the milk amount is tiny, the coffee flavour stays strong, and the foam adds a little sweetness and a soft texture on the first sip.
The tasting notes come from the beans and the roast, such as chocolate, nuts, caramel or fruit. Compared with a straight espresso, a macchiato feels slightly rounder and less sharp. Compared with a cortado, it is more intense because the cortado holds much more milk.
How is a macchiato made?
A macchiato is made by pulling a shot, steaming a small amount of milk to a thick foam and placing a spoonful on the espresso. The cup is small so that the foam stays on top.
- Pull a single or double shot of espresso into a warmed small cup.
- Steam about 30 ml of milk until it forms a thick, stiff microfoam.
- Spoon one or two teaspoons of foam onto the crema.
- Serve right away, ideally in a small cup of about 90 ml.
Some cafes pour a few drops of liquid milk instead of foam. Both are accepted, and the result is judged by how little milk the drink contains.
What is the difference between a macchiato and a latte macchiato?
A macchiato is espresso with a spot of milk, and a latte macchiato is a tall glass of milk with espresso poured through it. The names look alike but the drinks are opposites.
| Drink | Main ingredient | Size | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso macchiato | Espresso | 60 to 90 ml | Strong, slightly softened |
| Latte macchiato | Milk | 240 to 300 ml | Milky, mild, layered |
| Cortado | Espresso and milk, equal | 100 to 120 ml | Smooth, balanced |
| Caramel macchiato | Milk, syrup, espresso | Large | Sweet, milky |
The latte macchiato reverses the order: milk first, espresso last, which produces layers in a glass.
How is a macchiato different from a cortado and a flat white?
A macchiato has the least milk of the three, a cortado has about equal parts espresso and milk and a flat white has more milk in a larger cup. Strength decreases in that order.
- Macchiato: espresso plus a dot of foam.
- Cortado: roughly one part espresso to one part warm milk.
- Flat white: a double shot with velvety microfoam in about 150 to 180 ml.
All three use the same type of espresso, so the choice comes down to how much milk you want.
What is a caramel macchiato, and is it a real macchiato?
A caramel macchiato is a sweet, milky coffee with vanilla syrup, steamed milk, espresso and caramel drizzle, popularised by coffee chains. It follows the inverted idea of the latte macchiato, with espresso poured on top of the milk, but it is a very different drink from the Italian espresso macchiato.
Many cafes do not offer it by that name. If you want the Italian original, ask for an espresso macchiato. If you want the sweet drink, ask for a caramel macchiato or a vanilla latte with caramel.
How do you make a macchiato without a machine?
You can make a macchiato by brewing strong coffee in a moka pot or AeroPress and topping it with hand-frothed milk. The result is not true espresso, but it captures the style.
- Brew about 60 ml of concentrated coffee.
- Warm 50 ml of milk to about 60 degrees Celsius.
- Froth the milk with a handheld frother until thick.
- Spoon a small dollop of foam on the coffee.
Use a small cup, because a large mug makes the drink look and taste weak.
What is a macchiato served with, and how do you drink it?
A macchiato is usually served with a small glass of water and is drunk in two or three sips, standing at a counter or sitting at a small table. The water cleans the palate before the first taste.
In Italian cafes the order is typically placed as “un caffe macchiato,” and the drink is often sweetened with a little sugar at the counter. Some people stir the foam into the espresso, and others sip through it. A macchiato pairs well with a plain biscuit, a croissant or a chocolatine, because the pastry is sweet and the drink is sharp.
What are common mistakes when ordering or making a macchiato?
The usual mistakes are expecting a large milky drink, using too much milk and using a cup that is too big. Each one turns an espresso macchiato into something else.
- Ordering “a macchiato” at a chain and getting a caramel drink instead of the Italian one.
- Adding more than a spoonful or two of foam, which makes the drink a cortado.
- Using a thin, bubbly foam that disappears, instead of a thick, glossy one.
- Serving it in a large mug, where the foam spreads and the drink cools quickly.
Naming the espresso macchiato and the number of shots when you order removes almost all of the confusion.
Is a macchiato on the menu at Lili & Oli?
No macchiato is listed in the independent record for Lili & Oli. The recorded drinks are Espresso, Latte, Matcha, Chai and Hot chocolate, taken from Tastet and reviewer mentions.
The Espresso is the closest item, and a cafe that pulls espresso and steams milk for latte art may be able to add a spot of foam on request. That is not recorded, so ask when you call or visit. No prices were found. See the menu page for the full recorded list and the hours and location page for the address. This guide is independent and takes no orders.
Common questions
How do you order a macchiato?
Ask for an espresso macchiato to get the small, strong Italian style. If you just say macchiato in a chain cafe, you may be given a large sweet drink, so naming the espresso version and the cup size avoids confusion.
How much milk is in a macchiato?
An espresso macchiato holds only a teaspoon or two of milk foam on a single or double shot. The drink stays small, usually 60 to 90 ml, and tastes mostly of espresso with a slight softening.
Is a macchiato stronger than a latte?
A macchiato tastes much stronger, because it has almost no milk. The caffeine depends on the number of shots. A latte with a double shot and a macchiato with a double shot carry the same amount.
Why is a macchiato called stained?
The Italian word macchiato means stained or spotted. The espresso is marked by a dot of foam. The idea was to tell the barista that a coffee should have a tiny amount of milk rather than none.
Can you make a macchiato at home?
Yes. Pull a shot of espresso or brew strong moka pot coffee, froth a splash of milk with a handheld frother and spoon a small dollop of foam onto the coffee. No steam wand is needed.
Looking for the basics? Lili & Oli address and opening hours are on the home page.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Lili & Oli itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.