They say don't sweat the small stuff.
For many newcomers to the coffee world, some of the slight differences between smaller, lesser known espresso drinks can seem daunting. Typically it comes down to subtle nuances like milk to espresso ratio, temperature and milk texture when distinguishing among these kind of drinks. We're going to focus on three drinks that fall into this category: the cortado, the flat white and the cappuccino. And to have a little fun we're framing it as a 'Choose Your Fighter: Tiny Drink Edition'.
The Cortado
For many coffee professionals, the cortado is their drink of choice. An excellent way to see how the espresso 'cuts through' milk, this four ounce comrade is the perfect sipping drink. With the standard double shot of espresso weighing in around two full ounces, this drink features equal parts espresso and steamed milk. Typically steamed to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, it's ready to drink at the point of service and often retains a high temperature throughout consumption.
CHOOSE THIS FIGHTER IF: You want the best idea of how the espresso being served tastes with a bit of milk, you need a little pick me up or you're thinking of double fisting with a drip coffee.
THE FLAT WHITE
A staple of the Dose menu as our owner is from New Zealand where this fighter reigns supreme, the flat white is essentially the sister drink to the cappuccino. While the differences between the two are subtle, they do exist and they are palpable. Served in a five ounce mug, the flat white consists of a double shot of espresso and three ounces of steamed milk. One key difference between this drink and a cappuccino is that the flat white should be steamed slightly cooler at 135 degrees and should have a layer of microfoam on top. To create this effect, during the milk steaming process the amount of aeration is limited to a few seconds (think the length of sound of a piece of paper being torn in half).
CHOOSE THIS FIGHTER IF: You're looking for a happy medium between the cortado and the cappuccino, you're looking to challenge yourself on your at-home milk steaming, you want to know how they live on the other half of the hemisphere.
THE CAPPUCCINO
Our third and final fighter is also the most well known. Coming it at a stout six ounces, the cappuccino operates by the 'rule of thirds'. One third of the drink (2 ounces) should be espresso, one third of the drink (another 2 ounces) should be steamed milk and the final one third (another 2 ounces) should be foam. Occasionally these can be ordered even more specifically as 'wet' or 'dry' meaning the person has a preference for how foamy the top layer is (dry being more foamy, wet being less foamy and more consistent with the usual steamed milk).
CHOOSE THIS FIGHTER IF: You're making your first foray into smaller, more espresso concentrated drinks, you're looking for something that will last a little longer, you've seen You've Got Mail so many times you just want to order Tom Hanks' usual.