Be taught the way to make a macchiato with this straightforward methodology! This daring shot of espresso topped with a spoonful of fluffy foam takes minutes to whip up.

Right here’s a espresso drink that’s one half espresso, one half foam, and equal components scrumptious: the macchiato! This espresso drink is sort of a lighter model of a latte, nice for whenever you desire a jolt of caffeine with out all the additional energy.
Now, for those who’re like me you would possibly first consider the Starbucks macchiato: a candy drink made with vanilla syrup and a caramel drizzle. However made the basic Italian approach, a true caffè macchiato, is all about daring espresso and a whisper of froth. It’s simply two substances, one approach, and accomplished in below ten minutes!
What Is a Macchiato?
A caffè macchiato or espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso topped with frothed milk. The phrase “macchiato” means “stained” in Italian, which means that the darkish espresso is stained by the milk foam on high. Some sources say the macchiato was invented as a method to drink espresso into the afternoon.
The opposite sort of macchiato is named a latte macchiato. A latte macchiato is steamed milk that’s stained by a little bit of espresso on high. It tastes like an espresso-forward model of a cafe latte. A latte macchiato has espresso added to exploit, whereas for a latte steamed milk is added to espresso. The macchiato model additionally has a bit of extra foam. (How’s that for classy?)
What a few Starbucks macchiato? The macchiato you may order at Starbucks is a latte macchiato with caramel or hazelnut-flavored syrup on high. You’ve bought layers of steamed milk, foam, and espresso, after which the candy drizzle on high. It’s nearly nothing like a caffè macchiato in any respect!

Key Substances You’ll Want
The macchiato is one in every of my private favourite espresso drinks as a result of I really like that you just get the bitter taste of espresso with out a great deal of milk. (To be sincere, the richness of complete milk in lattes does a quantity on my digestion, so the macchiato is a good choice!) Listed here are the substances you’ll want:
- Espresso roast espresso: That is essential to get the proper darkish, bitter taste. Espresso roast is espresso beans which have a really darkish roast. Be sure to make use of a discover grind in your espresso whenever you grind it.
- Complete milk: The very best milk to make use of for a macchiato is complete milk, as a result of it has the best milk fats. You may get away with 2% milk right here too: particularly if in case you have a handheld milk frother. Necessary: be certain the milk is as contemporary as doable! Milk that’s getting nearer to its expiration date doesn’t foam as nicely.
The very best non-dairy milk for a vegan macchiato is oat milk: it froths up the most effective and has nice taste. Go to Tips on how to Froth Milk for extra about working with non-dairy milk!
You don’t want a high-end espresso machine to make an ideal macchiato at house. Listed here are your finest choices for espresso:

You don’t want an espresso maker with steamer to make an ideal macchiato! You’ll be able to merely warmth and froth the milk, which makes it almost nearly as good. There are just a few completely different instruments you should use to froth milk for a latte (learn extra about them in Tips on how to Froth Milk). Listed here are just a few nice instruments for the house barista for frothing milk:
- Espresso machine steam wand: If in case you have one, that is essentially the most constant methodology. Maintain the wand slightly below the floor of the milk till it doubles in dimension and turns into very foamy.
- Handheld milk frother. A milk frother works very nicely and will get the milk extraordinarily frothy! That is excellent for a macchiato.
- French press. If in case you have a French press for making espresso, it’s nice for making foam! It makes a pleasant frothy foam with bubbles a bit of bigger than the frother.
- Whisk. A whisk works too! This useful instrument whips up the milk fairly nicely: it additionally has a bit bigger bubbles and generates rather less foam than the opposite strategies.
Tips on how to Make a Macchiato: Step by Step
The a part of a macchiato that requires essentially the most approach is frothing the milk. Right here’s some excellent news: making the froth for a macchiato will not be almost as intense as for a latte. With a macchiato you need dry foam, which is a frothy mild bubbly foam that’s fairly simple to attain. (For a latte you need steamed milk that makes micro-foam, a wet-paint like texture: it’s not required right here.) Right here’s the way to make a macchiato at house:

Step 1: Make the espresso utilizing your favourite methodology: espresso machine, handbook espresso maker, French press, or different.

Step 2: Warmth the milk. Begin with ½ cup complete milk. Warmth it on the stovetop or steam with an espresso machine wand to 150°F, which is scorching to the contact however not simmering (use a thermometer or decide by when your hand can’t maintain the pitcher for quite a lot of seconds.).

Step 3: Froth into dry foam.
Use your most popular methodology (frothing wand in your espresso machine or a handheld frothing instrument) to froth the milk till you get mild, fluffy dry foam. You’re not going for silky microfoam right here: search for large, ethereal bubbles. (Word: This photograph reveals the hand held methodology.)

Step 4: Use a spoon to take away the highest of the froth solely (dry foam) and place it on the highest of the espresso. It is going to float proper on high: not incorporate into the espresso under like in a latte.
Macchiato Variations to Strive
When you’ve tried the basic, listed here are just a few enjoyable instructions to take it:
- Iced macchiato: Pull your espresso pictures right into a glass of ice, then add a small quantity of chilly foam on high.
- Vegan macchiato: Swap in oat milk for the most effective dairy-free foam. You could find barista-style oat milk on the retailer, which froths finest.
- Flavored macchiato: Add a small drizzle of vanilla syrup earlier than including the froth.
And that’s it! I hope you take pleasure in your macchiato: let me know within the feedback under (or tag me on Instagram at @acouplecooks).
Dietary Notes
This caffe macchiato recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use the oat milk variation within the recipe under.
Tips on how to Make a Macchiato
Right here’s the way to make a macchiato…the actual approach! This espresso drink contains a shot of espresso topped with a layer of frothy foam.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Prepare dinner Time: 0 minutes
- Complete Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Class: Espresso
- Methodology: Frothed
- Delicacies: Espresso
- Weight loss plan: Vegetarian
- 2 espresso pictures (2 ounces)
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) complete milk foam*
- Make the espresso: Use an espresso machine or handbook espresso maker to make one shot of espresso* and pour it right into a mug (or strive our Aeropress Espresso).
- Steam the milk (espresso machine) or warmth the milk to scalding: Begin with ½ cup milk (you’ll solely use ¼ cup foam.) Warmth the milk to 150 levels Fahrenheit, which is scorching to the contact however not simmering. Measure with a meals thermometer, or you may approximate by testing along with your finger.
- Froth the milk: Use the espresso machine or a milk frother, French press or whisk to froth milk into small, even bubbles. You’ll need a lot of “dry foam” for a macchiato: the fluffy stuff! The milk frother is nice for one of these foam. We extremely advocate studying Tips on how to Froth Milk if that is your first time frothing.
- Spoon the froth on high: Use a spoon to take away the highest of the froth (dry foam) and gently place it on high of the espresso. It’s best to use about ¼ cup foam for one drink.
Notes
*Complete milk works finest; milk that could be a few weeks previous could not froth. You may also use oat milk for a vegan macchiato. The milk frother works nicely for dairy-free milk. If utilizing the French press, pump vigorously till frothy, about 25 occasions. Don’t overwhip, as the froth will deflate!
