People who like to enjoy a balanced caffeine drink, a flat white coffee recipe is the best option for them. Although there are similar drinks such as latte and cappuccino also share almost the same flavor profile with a bit of difference. Flat white ingredients make it distinguished from other beverages due to different amounts of them.
A Flat White
We will explore how to make a flat white at home in 2025 through this article. But before we start to go through the flat white recipe, let’s know about its origin. This phenomenal drink originated in Auckland, New Zealand. According to some people this drink is an alternative to an Italian coffee beverage Latte.
However, flat white coffee is more similar to cappuccino which is served commonly hot. Cappuccino is made of a single shot of espresso, steamed milk and a thick layer of foam on the top. Now, we will start to make flat white at home with a step-by-step guide.
Making Flat White at Home | Step by Step Guide
Prep.
Time:5 min
Cooking Time: 0
Total Time: 5 min
Servings: 1
All You Need | Flat White Ingredients
Before starting with the recipe for flat white coffee, gather the following ingredients.
- Espresso (strong) Single Shot
- Whole Milk ¼ Cup
- Sweetener (optional) as per taste
Combining Espresso and Sugar
Brew a single shot of espresso or your favorite strongly brewed coffee in a small cup. Combine sweetener with espresso.
Pour Frothed Milk
Froth the milk in a pitcher or pot. Pour the milk (frothed) over espresso slowly. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 37 kcal
Carbohydrates: 3 gm
Protein: 2 gm
Fat: 2 gm
Sugar: 3 gm
Saturated Fat: 1 gm
These are the estimated values and these values may vary by using different types of ingredients. Also you can use skimmed milk to reduce fat content and calories. If you like vegan options, you can use almond milk, coconut milk or soy milk. Sugar is optional, you can use any type of sweetener or syrup instead of regular sugar.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- High Temperature: Excessive level of temperature can burn espresso which can result in a more bitter taste. Also too much heat will affect the essence of espresso.
- Incorrect Measurements: Measurements are crucial while making a recipe at home specially. Using an incorrect amount of ingredients will not give you the desired taste and flavor.
- No Preheating the Cup: It is always recommended to preheat the coffee cup before pulling a shot of espresso in it. It will preserve the real essence of the drink.
- Mishandling Espresso Machine: You must clean the espresso machine on a regular basis or it will start to ruin your every coffee drink. Cleaning an espresso machine regularly makes it more efficient.
What Is the Difference | Latte | Cappuccino | Flat White
All three drinks, latte, cappuccino and flat white share almost the same ingredients with a little bit of distinction. Each recipe has a unique flavor profile. Here is a brief explanation about the differences between latte, cappuccino and flat white coffee.
Latte
Latte has a higher amount of steamed milk and milk foam. This ratio of milk to espresso makes the drink more creamy and velvety. This is the best drink for those who like smooth and velvety drinks. The excessive amount of milk over espresso makes it less bitter and more sweetener.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is another instant coffee drink with a unique and balanced flavor. It has the bold flavor of espresso and a sweet note of steamed milk and foam milk. The milk is not completely mixed in espresso that maintains the bold espresso essence. This is the most balanced drink if you know the actual drill on how to make a perfect cappuccino.
Flat White
The drink, we have learned about before, has a stronger taste of espresso than other drinks mentioned above. Because it has a higher concentration of espresso than milk. Unlike latte and cappuccino, flat white has steamed milk infused within the drink which results in a lack of a thin layer of milk foam on the top.
Some Variations for Flat White Coffee
Flat white coffee has a strong espresso flavor and it may be more interesting by adding some additional ingredients. For example, you can use different types of flavored syrups. Some people use a creamer for flat white coffee but it is not always recommended as it totally depends on personal choice.
You can use different types of milk as per your preferences i. e. If you like to use vegan milk there are a lot of options available for you. Oat milk, pea milk, hemp milk, coconut milk and soy milk can be added instead of whole milk or skimmed milk.
A Flat White
Final Thoughts
Flat white coffee uses higher concentration of espresso that makes it stronger than similar drinks such as latte and cappuccino. Espresso is the base ingredient of the drink. You must know how to make an espresso before you make any other espresso based coffee drink.
Always use quality ingredients with the precise amount of them. Experiment with different types of ingredients to expose the perfect flavor of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Flat White Coffee
How to make a flat white at home?
To make a flat white coffee at home you need only two ingredients: i) A single shot of Espresso and ii) ¼ cup of whole milk (of any type of milk you like). Combine espresso and sugar in a coffee cup and pour frothed milk over espresso. Serve immediately.
What is the ratio for a flat white?
The ideal espresso-to-milk ratio in a flat white coffee is 1:2. Sometimes people use a 1:3 ratio as well. With this ratio it still tastes strong due to espresso.
How to cook flat white?
Flat white is almost like an instant drink. Just pour steamed milk of freshly brewed a single shot of espresso. Bravo! Your favorite flat white is ready to enjoy.
What is flat white made of?
Flat white is made of espresso and whole milk with 1:2 espresso to milk ratio in it.