What is a Macchiato?

A macchiato is an espresso-based coffee beverage. What is a macchiato and how to make it here.

Some links found in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

A macchiato is one of the most popular coffee beverages ordered at coffee shops around the world. It is a coffee beverage with espresso and has a very small amount of steamed milk added on top. 

Macchiatos offer an alternative to a classic espresso for those who are not fans of strong coffee. The steamed milk helps balance out the stronger espresso notes and makes it a much easier beverage to savor while still allowing the taste of the espresso to shine through.

Macchiato History

Macchiato is an Italian word that translates to stained or marked, and this name comes from the fact that it has the appearance of a shot of espresso that’s stained with a little steamed milk. 

The macchiato was created in Italy during the ’80s by baristas who wanted to serve a milk coffee beverage as an afternoon pick-me-up that wasn’t as strong as a straight espresso. They were creative enough to visually show the difference between a plain espresso shot and one that has milk in it by “marking” the beverage with frothed milk. Thus, the macchiato was born.

There are several variations of a macchiato, depending on where it is ordered. Coffee shops began playing around with it in recent years, creating different types of macchiato for different markets, so it is important to know which one you are looking for before placing an order. 

Traditional Macchiato vs. Latte Macchiato vs. Latte

Traditional Macchiato, also known as espresso macchiato or caffé macchiato, is a direct espresso drink with a splash of steamed milk, and it is made by adding just a small amount of steamed milk to the espresso.

Latte Macchiato, however, is milk marked with espresso. A latte macchiato has the same ingredients as a traditional macchiato, but it is made and looks different. A shot or two of espresso is poured on top of milk, resulting in a layered look and a substantially larger coffee beverage than an espresso macchiato.

You’ll find this version in most mainstream cafes like Starbucks and Dunkin.

Make these copycat latte macchiatos at home: 

• How to Make a Caramel Macchiato (Starbucks Inspired!)
• Iced Coconutmilk Mocha Macchiato: Starbucks Inspired
• Mocha Macchiato: Dunkin Copycat Recipe

Latte, or caffé latte, is a more creamy coffee beverage than a traditional macchiato and a latte macchiato. It means milk coffee in Italian and consists of espresso, steamed milk, and a layer of frothed milk on top. 

If you want to avoid confusion at a cafe, verify whether you’re ordering an espresso macchiato, a latte macchiato, or a latte. 

Macchiato Ratio

The easiest way to differentiate among the different kinds of beverages is to look at the espresso to milk ratio. A traditional macchiato is made with double espresso shots marked with a dollop of frothed milk on top, using a 2:1 ratio of espresso to milk. 

A ratio of 2:1 simply means that for every single part of milk, there are two parts of espresso, with a total of three parts. So if I have 60 grams of espresso, I will add 30 grams of steamed milk to create my macchiato. 

Macchiato at Home Ingredients

You’ll need 2 ingredients:

• Coffee beans
• Milk

You’ll also need the following tools:

• Espresso machine with a milk frother
• Espresso grinder
• Scale
• Milk pitcher
• Demitasse cup and saucer
• Spoon

How to Make a Macchiato at Home

1. Grind 18 grams of coffee beans into a portafilter. 
2. Prepare a double shot of espresso using the espresso machine and aim for 60 grams.
3. Froth the milk until it is light and fluffy. 
4. Spoon over about 30 grams of frothed milk on the top of the espresso. 
5. Enjoy it while it is hot!

What if I don’t have an espresso machine?

You don’t really need an espresso machine to make a great macchiato. There are few different tools that you can use to make strong espresso-like coffee, and the result comes out nearly as good. You can use an Aeropress, a French press, or a Moka pot to make some good strong coffee for this recipe. Check out our guide to making espresso without an espresso machine. 

There are also several tools you can use to froth milk for a macchiato, such as a handheld milk frother, a French press, or even a whisk. Just make sure to heat the milk up to 150℉ before performing the trick, and use the freshest milk possible.

What Is a Macchiato Conclusion

Now that you know what makes a good macchiato, you can use the macchiato basics and put your skills to the test. Making a macchiato is more about understanding and mastering the whole process. All you need is some patience and practice to get the hang of it.