Everything You Need to Know About Fancy Coffee in One Infographic

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If you have walked into a coffee shop anywhere, then you know that coffee isn't just coffee — there are many varieties of this roasty, aromatic drink. But what’s the difference between a cappuccino and a macchiato, and how do you get the new barista to make you a cup of Café Bombón? From the basic espresso to the popular icy frappé, here are 28 coffee drinks and what goes into them.

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Espresso

Also referred to as a "shot of espresso,” it’s made by blasting hot water through compacted finely ground beans. An espresso is a smaller drink than a regular cup of drip coffee, but it’s more concentrated.

• 1 ounce espresso

Espresso Doppio

This is the same thing as a "double shot of espresso" — two shots of espresso poured into one glass. Note that a shot or two of espresso doesn’t have more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee.

• 2 ounces espresso

Espresso Lungo

In an Espresso Lungo, water goes through the beans for a longer time period. You get more caffeine this way, but the drink will taste more bitter.

• 3 ounces espresso

Espresso Ristretto

Water goes through beans shorter for a shorter amount of time, giving you a more concentrated drink.

• .75 ounce espresso

Americano

Here’s where we start to branch out. Add hot water to a shot or two of espresso and you get an Americano!

• 1-2 shots of espresso
• Enough hot water to fill a regular-sized cup

Long Black

A Long Black is identical to an Americano in terms of ingredients, but you pour the hot water first, then add the espresso. One can argue it tastes the same as an Americano.

• Enough hot water to fill a regular-sized cup, with room for 1-2 shots of espresso
• 1-2 shots of espresso

Latte

If the taste of coffee is too strong, know that you have many options that will take the edge off…like the latte!

• espresso
• steamed milk
• frothed milk

Mocha Latte

Add chocolate flavoring and you get a mocha latte.

• espresso
• chocolate
• steamed milk
• frothed milk

Caffè Breve

For a richer version of the latte, use half-and-half instead of milk.

• espresso
• steamed half-and-half
• frothed half-and-half

Macchiato

When you order a macchiato, what you’re getting is a Latte Macchiato ("milk stained").

• steamed milk
• frothed milk
• espresso

Caffè Macchiato

A variation on the macchiato is the caffè macchiato ("coffee stained”).

• espresso
• small amount of frothed milk on top

Cappuccino

While a latte usually contains a bit more milk, a cappuccino contains equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk.

• 1/3 espresso
• 1/3 steamed milk
• 1/3 frothed milk

Wet Cappuccino

It’s like a regular cappuccino, but with more milk.

• espresso
• more steamd milk
• frothed milk

Dry Cappuccino

It’s like a regular cappuccino, but with less milk.

• espresso
• less steamed milk
• frothed milk

Café Au Lait

If you want a latte with coffee instead of espresso, then order a café au lait.

• drip coffee
• steamed milk
• frothed milk

Flat White

For a flat white, the micro-foamed milk should be heated consistently so that it doesn’t split into bubbled froth and scalding liquid. It’s usually served in a small ceramic cup.

• 2 shots espresso
• micro-foamed milk

Café Bombón

The café bambón is a small, milky beverage served in a clear glass to show off the layers of condensed milk and espresso.

• 1/2 condensed milk
• 1/2 espresso

Espresso Con Panna

When you top an espresso with whipped cream, you get an espresso con panna.

• espresso
• whipped cream

Cortado

The cortado is an espresso cut with a bit of warm milk, which reduces its acidity.

• espresso
• warm milk

Red Eye

If you can’t choose between coffee and an espresso, have both in a red eye!

• 1 shot of espresso
• drip coffee

Lazy Eye

And there's the lazy eye if you want to limit your caffeine intake.

• 1 shot of decaf espresso
• decaf drip coffee

Black Eye

If you want an extra shot of espresso, get a black eye.

• 2 shots of espresso
• drip coffee

Dead Eye

If you really need the caffeine, you’ll want the dead eye.

• 3 shots of espresso
• drip coffee

Steamer

Imagine this: You’re in a coffee shop, but for some reason, you don’t feel like drinking coffee. That’s OK! You can order a steamer (sometimes called a “Babyccino”), which is just steamed milk without any coffee. Add a shot or two of flavoring to make it more interesting.

• steamed milk
• may contain flavor

Corretto

The corretto is a shot of espresso mixed with liquor — usually brandy, cognac, or liqueur.

• 1 shot of espresso mixed with
• liquor (brandy, cognac, or liqueur)

Black and White

In this drink, “black” refers to one part coffee liqueur, and “white” refers to one part milk.

• 1/2  coffee liqueur
• 1/2 milk

Affogato

On a hot sunny day, cool down with an affogato — a scoop of ice cream topped with an espresso.

• 1 scoop of ice cream
• 1 shot espresso

Frappé

Of course, there’s also the popular frappé. It contains ice, sugar, espresso, and usually some kind of flavoring, all blended together.

• 2 shots espresso
• sugar
• ice
• optional flavoring

Source: Mental Floss

There you have it! Twenty-eight popular coffee drinks that you can order from any coffee shop, even if they aren’t on the menu. How many on this list have you tried?