☕ Coffee guide

Macchiato vs Latte

Opposite ends of the espresso-and-milk spectrum — and a note on that caramel macchiato.

Macchiato and latte sit at opposite ends of the same scale. A traditional macchiato is mostly espresso with a whisper of milk; a latte is mostly milk with a shot of espresso. If you know that, you'll never mix them up again.

Macchiato — espresso "stained" with milk

Macchiato means "stained" or "marked." A traditional (espresso) macchiato is a shot of espresso with just a small splash of milk or foam — roughly two parts espresso to one part milk — served tiny (often just 1–2 oz). It's strong and short, for when you want espresso softened by the smallest touch of milk.

Latte — espresso in a lot of steamed milk

A latte is the opposite: a shot of espresso in a large cup of steamed milk (about two parts milk to one part coffee), topped with a thin layer of foam. It's big, mild, and creamy.

A quick word on the "caramel macchiato"

Here's where people get tripped up: the caramel macchiato at big chains is not a traditional macchiato. It's much closer to a sweet, flavored latte — lots of milk, vanilla, and caramel, "marked" with espresso. So if you order a "macchiato" at a specialty cafe, expect the small, strong version, not the sweet tall drink.

Side by side

• Milk: macchiato has a splash; a latte is mostly milk.
• Size: macchiato is tiny (1–2 oz); a latte is large (12–16 oz).
• Taste: macchiato is strong and espresso-forward; a latte is mild and milky.

Which should you order?

Want a short, strong shot with just a hint of milk? Macchiato. Want a big, mellow, milky cup? Latte. If you like a little milk but want more than a splash, a flat white or cortadito lands in between.