Caffè macchiato or sometimes called macchiato coffee or just macchiato in short, is an espresso based drink. It is also named espresso macchiato describing its origin of ingredients. A typical macchiato contains espresso and a little amount of foamed milk. The foamed milk makes it creamy and smooth with lowering the bitterness of espresso.

Macchiato is one of the drinks that has a higher espresso to milk ratio in it. Unlike cappuccino, latte and other espresso based coffee drinks. That’s why it has a stronger flavour among other similar drinks. It is a popular choice of people who like stronger flavor with milk. However it is not as popular as cappuccino with breakfast in Italy.

You can enjoy café style macchiato coffee at home but it depends on “how do you make a macchiato”. To get the best out of macchiato recipes you must follow the instructions we will provide below. Moreover, always use quality ingredients with precise measurements. The right selection of coffee beans also matters a lot.

Let’s get started with a step by step guide on how do you make a macchiato. Follow the instructions for the better results.

Time Frame

Preparation Times: 10 minutes

Cooking Time:   0 minutes 

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings:   1 servings

All The Ingredients You Need

• Espresso a double shot
• Foamed milk 2 oz (whole milk)
• Sugar as per taste

Step By Step Guide To Make A Perfect Macchiato

Brewing Espresso

Put 18 gm of dark roast in an espresso machine. Fill the water chamber below the overflow mark. Wait for the machine to get ready. Pull a double shot of espresso in a coffee cup. Once you have pulled a double shot of espresso, you can proceed to froth milk.

Frothing Milk

We are using whole milk for our recipe. Frothing milk will make this recipe smooth and creamy. Pour milk in a metal pitcher or a big glass. Attach the steam wand to the espresso machine and place the wand under the milk surface. Froth milk until foam becomes double of it. The milk is ready for the third step.

Combine All The Ingredients

Make sure to pour milk over espresso. It is a recommended way to make a perfect flavored macchiato. Make sure you only dollop a spoon of frothed milk on the top of espresso to make an original macchiato.

Top With Milk Foam

Top with milk foam for more flavor of sweetness. You can also use spices such as cinnamon to garnish it. It will become a flavored drink instantly. Your traditional macchiato is ready to serve.

Macchiato vs Cappuccino vs Latte
What is the difference? 

Macchiato, cappuccino and latte are basically similar drinks because all of them are made using espresso. However, macchiato formula is a bit different from all the similar drinks. The recipe of the three of them is almost similar with a slight difference.
Cappuccino is made with an equal amount of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. Latte uses a shot of espresso and a certain amount of steamed milk to fill the cup. Macchiato coffee contains a shot of espresso or a double shot of espresso with a small amount of foamed milk on the top of it.  

What Are The Best Coffee Beans For Macchiato Recipes?

Choosing coffee beans for a recipe is a crucial thing. It determines the final flavor, taste and texture. For macchiato coffee it is a common recommendation to choose coffee beans with less acidity and a balance of  bitterness & sweetness. Because in this coffee drink the amount of milk is very less than a regular drink.

So, the excessive bitterness can make it hard to like for all people. Arabica beans are considered the best coffee beans for a traditional macchiato recipe. Arabica beans have a rich aroma and a smooth flavor. Which makes the drink a balanced combination of bitterness and sweetness.

The Best Roast Level

We have mentioned earlier that we need coffee beans with a balanced flavor of bitterness and sweetness. The choice of roast level also plays a crucial role to maintain a certain flavor. Light roast and Medium roast level works best for macchiato formula. The dark roast may lead to a bitter taste than usual.

The Best Type of Milk

The amount of milk used in the macchiato recipe is less than other similar drinks like cappuccino and latte. And espresso has a strong flavor in this recipe, that’s why Whole Milk is the best option to add in this recipe. Whole milk makes it creamy and a bit sweetened to balance the bitterness of espresso.

Some people like it vegan in every recipe and dish. If you are a vegan, there are options available for that. You can use almond milk instead of regular whole milk. For more options, you can visit a store nearby with vegan products or search online before making the recipe at home.

Nutrition Facts

We are using a double shot of espresso and 2 ounces of whole milk in this recipe. By these values of ingredients the drink may contain the following nutrients:

Caffeine: ~120 mg

Fat: ~2.2 gm

Calories: ~138 kcal

Protein: ~28 gm

Note: These values may vary according to the ingredients you use such as different types of coffee beans, sugar and milk.

Final Thoughts

Nothing can stop you to master an art if you practice with consistency and precision. You can make cafe style macchiato at home by paying attention to the key points below:

• Always use the right type of coffee beans and milk for the recipe.
• Use the right amount of ingredients.
• Preheat the coffee cup before pouring espresso in it.
• Don’t overheat any of the ingredients including espresso and milk.

FAQs

How is macchiato made?

Macchiato is made by adding foamed milk on the top of a shot of espresso. For a strong flavor you can use a double shot of espresso.

How to make a traditional macchiato?

A traditional macchiato is made by topping an espresso with a spoon of frothed milk without stirring it. 

What’s in a macchiato drink?

Macchiato is an espresso based coffee drink. Macchiato means marked in Italian. Espresso is marked with a spoon of steamed milk on the top, that’s why it is called macchiato.

How do you make an espresso macchiato?

Espresso macchiato or macchiato in short is made by topping espresso with a spoon of steamed milk.