A cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink made with espresso and hot steamed milk with a dense layer of microfoam.

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It is one of the best-known and most-loved coffee beverages in most coffee shops around the world.

A traditional Italian cappuccino is about six ounces in volume and is made with equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. When it is made correctly, the mixture will fill the cup up to the rim and form a “cap” on top.

In modern coffee shops, cappuccinos are sometimes garnished with cocoa or cinnamon powder, and some even offer different variations of cappuccinos and customizations to your liking.

What is a Wet Cappuccino?

A wet cappuccino is basically a cappuccino that contains more steamed milk and less milk foam. It is going to be very creamy, smooth, and silky. A wet cappuccino is also slightly sweeter due to the higher ratio of steamed milk to espresso.

What is a Dry Cappuccino?

A dry cappuccino is the opposite of a wet cappuccino. It contains only a small amount of steamed milk and is topped off with a thick layer of milk foam.

With more foam than steamed milk in a dry cappuccino, the taste of espresso in this variation is more pronounced and noticeable. It is stronger and doesn’t have the same sweetness as a wet cappuccino does.

What is Bone Dry Cappuccino?

A bone dry cappuccino consists of no steamed milk at all.

It is made with only two ingredients, espresso and a very thick milk foam layer. The milk foam is well-aerated to give it a lighter and airier texture while letting the flavors of the espresso stand out.

The bone dry cappuccino is not for those who are sensitive to the strong taste of espresso, but it is for people who prefer the taste and texture of foam over milk.

Some prefer a bone dry cappuccino because they believe the air bubbles in the foamy milk, which acts as an insulation, will keep the beverage hot for longer.

Bone Dry Cappuccino Ingredients

To make a bone dry cappuccino, you will need to gather the following tools and ingredients:

Espresso machine
Frothing pitcher
Coffee cup
Spoon
18 grams coffee
4 ounces milk

How to Make a Bone Dry Cappuccino

Pour about 4 ounces of milk into a pitcher.
Froth the milk.
Weigh 18 grams of coffee.
Level the grounds and tamp it down with a tamper.
Pull an espresso shot. (Check out our guide for making espresso without an espresso machine.)
Add milk foam.

In pictures and details…

Step 1

Pour about 4 ounces of milk into a pitcher.

The key factor in achieving good froth is using cold milk. Also, keep in mind that fresh milk usually froths better than old milk.

Step 2

Froth the milk.

Hold the pitcher at an angle and froth the milk until foamy bubbles form, about 20-25 seconds. Set aside for later use.

You can also opt for a handheld milk frother if you don’t have access to an espresso machine with a built-in steam wand.

Step 3

Weigh 18 grams of coffee.

I recommend using fresh whole bean coffee and grinding them just before brewing. Not only will your espresso taste fresh and full of flavor, grind before you brew will add depth to your espresso.

Step 4

Level the grounds and tamp it down with a tamper.

Your tamping skill will have a good impact on the quality of your espresso. Applying about 20-30 pounds of pressure will create a good resistance for extraction.