Tea Party Diva - Life & Craft

What is the difference between a Macchiato and an Espresso? Can you tell an Affogato from a Ristretto? You may be surprised at just how many drinks have an espresso base.

While the basics are the same, different baristas and cafe owners have their own variations for different coffee drinks. And of course, you can ask for your own variations too. This basic coffee drinks glossary will get you started.

Let’s Start With These Basic Cafe Coffee Drinks

Cafe Affogato
A scoop of icecream with a shot of Espresso. The word “Affogato” means “drowned” in Italian. The icecream is “drowned” in coffee. Some versions add coffee liqueur as well.

Cafe Americano
An Espresso with additional hot water to lengthen the coffee.

Cafe au Lait
Made with one third drip coffee and two thirds hot frothed milk. The milk is heated to just under boiling point.

Cafe Latte
An Espresso with steamed milk, topped with foam from steaming. It’s one third espesso and two thirds steamed milk. A sprinkle of cinnamon or powdered chocolate on top is optional.

Cafe Noir
Black coffee (served without milk or cream). The word “noir” is French for black.

Cappucino
An Espresso topped topped with a thick hot milk foam. The foam results from steaming milk in a machine. The foam is sprinkled with cinnamon or powdered chocolate.

Espresso
Hot water is forced under pressure through a bed of compressed finely ground coffee. Baristas make espresso “shots”.

Espresso is used as a base for a range of other coffee drinks. These include cappuccino, mocha and latte.

The word “espresso” comes from the Latin “Expresere” meaning “to press out”. While often called”Expresso”, “Espresso” is correct.

Macchiato
An Espresso with a little hot frothed milk on top.

Mocha
A drink which combines chocolate and coffee (usually Espresso, topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. It sometimes has whipped cream and sprinkled chocolate powder on top. Mocha is an ancient city in Yemen, one of the world’s earliest known coffee areas.

Ristretto
This is the strongest Espresso drink. It is very concentrated and has the usual amount of coffee of a regular Espresso, but only half the water. The word “ristretto” is an Italian word meaning “restricted”.

Turkish Coffee
The coffee is very finely ground to a powder and sweetened. It is brought to the boiil. The grounds remain in the served coffee. It has a very strong sweet taste.

Vienna Coffee
This is also known as Viennese Coffee. It is drip or filter coffee topped with whipped cream.

Tea Party Beverages