How to Make a Cortado! An Insightful Guide
Hey, coffee lover! Today we'll be exploring how to make a cortado beverage and just learn more about this specialty drink.
If you're looking for a new way to enjoy your morning cup of joe, we have just the thing. Cortado is a Spanish word meaning "cut" and it's also the name for a drink that combines espresso with warm milk.
It's not too strong or bitter like an Americano but still packs in all the flavor of espresso. The perfect balance between sweet and savory - what more could you want?
You'll be able to enjoy this delicious beverage at home anytime you want thanks to our cortado recipe guide!
We've got everything from how-to videos to step-by-step instructions so there's no excuse not to try this out today. So go ahead and give it a shot - we know you won't regret it!
What is a Cortado?
A cortado is a coffee drink composed of espresso and steamed milk that has been served together in an 8oz. glass, which makes it the perfect espresso beverage for people who love their coffees sweet just like me!
What Makes It So Special?
A cortado is a drink that originated in Spain and was later introduced to countries like the US, but now people can enjoy it without having to travel all of the way back to where it came from!
It has 2 tablespoons of espresso and steamed milk. The espresso is used as a base for the drink and will provide you with its caffeinated kick.
Meanwhile, the steamed milk will add to that flavor by complimenting the taste of your espresso!
Some people like to make it a bit stronger by adding an extra shot of espresso.
Recommended Article: Try Making a Cortado with The Best Organic Espresso Beans
What is the difference between a Cortado and a Macchiato?
Both macchiatos and cortados are small drinks made by combining espresso with milk and other ingredients. But let us explore the difference between these two drinks and what makes them so different!
A macchiato is made with 1 part espresso, 1 part steamed milk, and a few drops of foamed milk on top to bring out the taste of both the espresso and the steamed milk in this drink. A macchiato is meant to be sweet and creamy, but has an extremely strong taste. If you love your coffee with sugar or other syrups, then you will most likely really enjoy a macchiato!
A cortado is made by combining 2 parts espresso with steamed milk. The overall flavor of this drink is similar to that of a macchiato, but it is more mild.
It cortado can be served with or without foam, which makes the drink have either a thick texture or a smooth one. This beverage is perfect for people who are not used to drinking coffee because it lacks bitterness and acidity!
The Cortado Origin Story
So what is a cortado and how do to make a cortado? Cortado is a coffee drink, usually made with espresso and milk. It has been popular in Spain for decades, but has recently gained traction in the US as well. However, people don’t always know what it is or how to make one!
Cortado is a Spanish word which literally translates to “cut off” or "cut short". The cortado was created by accident when someone wanted an espresso macchiato (espresso topped with steamed milk) but didn't have enough time for the foam on top of their espresso to settle down before topping it with milk.
They cut off the amount of foam that they could to fit the milk and ended up with a cortado.
This drink is very popular in Spain, where it’s sold at cafes and coffee shops alongside other espresso drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos.
Like many other espresso-based drinks, it’s made by topping an espresso with a small amount of steamed milk. The ratio is usually around 2 oz. espresso to 4 oz. milk, which allows the drinker to experience the full flavor and body of both the espresso and milk in one cup.
How to Make a Cortado in 3 Easy Steps
In order to brew a cortado, the most important thing you need is espresso. You can get your hands on a solid cortado recipe by making it yourself, or you can go to Starbucks and enjoy one of their cortados!
It's said that the most valuable piece of equipment a barista has is their palate, as it will help you create the perfect cup of coffee. This balance of espresso and milk is known to be one for any coffee drinker who enjoys lighter drinks.
If you want to brew your own cortado, here are all the steps:
- First, heat up your milk and steam the espresso with an espresso machine. A good ratio to shoot for is a 50/50 volume of espresso to milk. The best espresso is made by grinding coffee beans with a decent grinder.
- To create that velvety layer on top, try gently pouring your heated milk in the same direction as the espresso stream simultaneously into your cup. This helps keep the cream from dispersing, making it look more creamy and rich!
- Then, you need to enjoy it! This is where the fun part comes in, so taste away because no one cares but you if you take this drink too seriously.
Below is a short
How to Drink a Cortado
Cortados are meant to be sipped slowly. However, if you really want to enjoy it without rushing through this experience, try treating it like a good glass of wine and breathe in the fragrance before taking that first sip.
After you're done sipping on your cortado, pour the remaining coffee into an espresso cup to avoid wasting any.
Use your best dishware for this one - because this drink deserves to be served on the best espresso cups. Try treating yourself to a glass of water or milk after, because this is a pretty huge coffee serving!
Is a cortado the same as a flat white?
Cortado milk's prepared the same as a Flat White , but the ingredients are poured in different ratios on top of each other. The Flat White is one-third espresso, two-thirds milk, and the cortado is one-half espresso, and one-half milk.
The cortado glass is smaller than a regular coffee cup – usually around 3" tall with roughly 6 ounces of liquid capacity.
However, it is quite versatile. It can be enjoyed as a spicy latte by adding cinnamon or chocolate to the mix along with some cream. Some establishments may even add fruit to the mixture of milk and espresso in order to create a new blend of flavors!
However, I recommend not tampering with perfection – an authentic cortado will never be topped off with whipped cream.
Related Article: Staresso Espresso Coffee Maker Review
How many shots are in a cortado?
Typically, you will find that a cortado only uses one shot of espresso. This is due to the fact that it’s made with equal parts espresso and milk – which makes it drinkable for anyone!
It’s a more robust, complex drink than the regular latte because it combines espresso and milk in one beverage; hence the name “cortado” which means to cut something.
What's the Difference between a Cortado and a Cortadito?
The main difference is that a cortadito is known for being a specialty cuban beverage that is rather sweet with a slightly larger serving. However, both of these drinks have the following traits in common:
- ✓ Similar Appearance
Cortados and cortaditos are usually served in small cups which may be the same or similar to that of a cappuccino cup. Both entail a layer of milk foam on top with darker espresso running through it to give it a smooth texture.
Both cortados and cortaditos have the milk to espresso ratio of 1:1, so they are relatively sweet compared to other coffee drinks.
What can you drink a cortado with?
Don’t drink your cortado on its own – pair it with a pastry or some chocolate to enjoy the best flavor.
You can also try adding this drink to desserts like a cortado gelato or some other creamy dish; the possibilities are endless with something so versatile!
How many calories are in a cortado?
A typical cortado contains 45-50 calories, 0.3 grams of fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, and 9-10 grams of carbs.
This is a well-balanced drink, which can be enjoyed on a keto diet since it contains no sugar and has only 1 g of net carbs! If you want to enjoy this sweet treat without going overboard, try keeping track of your calories with apps like MyFitnessPal.
This will make sure that you don't consume more calories than you need to in order to maintain your weight.
Final Thoughts on How to Make a Cortado!
A cortado is a drink that can be served in the morning, afternoon or evening. It's perfect for those who love their coffee with no bitterness or acidity and want to enjoy it at any time of day!
To make yourself one: start by adding an espresso shot into your cup then add milk until you get about two fingers worth on top.
Next, stir all together before drinking up this delicious beverage that will give you energy throughout the day without sacrificing taste!
A cortado is highly recommended for those who love their coffee with no bitterness or acidity. You will taste the espresso muddled into your sweetness of milk and not too much acidic tones floating around since it's a small amount in proportion to the milk.
We hope that you enjoyed this small article on what is a cortado and how you can make one to enjoy at any time of the day.
