Four coffee drinks lined up on a wooden bench

Coffee Drinks

From a simple espresso to a layered caramel latte, the world of coffee drinks can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of drinks on every coffee shop menu, and many of them look almost identical.

The difference between most coffee drinks comes down to three things: the espresso-to-milk ratio, the milk texture (steamed vs frothed vs cold), and the serving size. Once you understand those building blocks, every drink on the menu makes sense.

Below, you will find a quick-reference guide to the most popular coffee drinks, followed by deeper explanations of each category and our full library of coffee drink guides.

Types of Coffee Drinks at a Glance

Every major coffee drink compared by base, milk, strength, and how it is served.

DrinkBaseMilkStrengthServed
EspressoEspressoNoneVery strongHot
AmericanoEspresso + waterNoneStrongHot / Iced
LatteEspressoSteamed + foamMildHot / Iced
CappuccinoEspressoSteamed + thick foamMediumHot
Flat WhiteEspressoMicrofoamStrongHot
MochaEspresso + chocolateSteamed + creamMildHot / Iced
MacchiatoEspressoSplash of foamVery strongHot
CortadoEspressoEqual part steamedStrongHot
Shaken EspressoEspresso + iceSplash of milkStrongIced
Long BlackEspresso + waterNoneStrongHot
FrappuccinoEspresso + ice blendMilk + creamMildIced
Drip CoffeeBrewedOptionalMediumHot

The major coffee drinks compared. Strength describes flavour intensity, not caffeine.

For the full breakdown of every drink, read our guide to the types of coffee.

Espresso-Based Drinks

Think of espresso drinks as a ladder of milk. Every step up adds more milk and softens the shot:

No milk Espresso (pure shot) and Americano (espresso diluted with hot water)
A little milk Macchiato (espresso with a dash of foam) and Cortado (equal parts espresso and steamed milk)
Balanced milk Flat White (double espresso with thin microfoam) and Cappuccino (espresso with equal steamed milk and thick foam)
Mostly milk Latte (espresso with lots of steamed milk and a thin foam layer) and Mocha (latte with chocolate)
Iced Shaken Espresso (espresso shaken with ice) and Frappuccino (blended espresso, ice, and milk)

Popular Coffee Drink Comparisons

If you have ever stood at the counter wondering “what is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?” or “is a flat white just a small latte?”, you are not alone. These are some of the most common coffee questions, and we have written detailed guides for each one.

How to Choose Your Coffee Drink

Not sure what to order? Use this quick guide based on what you are in the mood for:

If you want…Try this
Something strong and quickEspresso or Macchiato
Strong but more volumeAmericano or Flat White
Creamy and smoothLatte
Foamy and classicCappuccino
Coffee + chocolateMocha
Something cold and refreshingShaken Espresso or Iced Latte
Not actually coffeeChai Latte

A quick guide to choosing a coffee drink by mood.

Iced and Cold Coffee Drinks

Cold coffee is not one drink, the preparation changes everything from texture to caffeine:

Iced latte Espresso shots poured over ice and topped with cold milk. Straightforward and refreshing. Shaken espresso Espresso shaken vigorously with ice until frothy, then poured over more ice with a splash of milk. Cold brew Coffee grounds steeped in cold water for 12–24 hours. Smooth, low-acid, and highly concentrated. Frappuccino A blended drink made from espresso, ice, milk, and flavoured syrups. Closer to a milkshake.
Iced Americano Espresso shots pulled directly over ice, then topped with cold water. Stronger and less diluted.
Nitro cold brew Cold brew infused with nitrogen gas, served on tap. Creamy texture with no added milk.

All Coffee Drink Guides

Browse all of our coffee drink guides
A flat white coffee in a ceramic cup Cortado vs Flat White: What’s the Difference? The difference between a cortado and a flat white is foam and size: a cortado is espresso with an equal splash of… Austin Barker · June 8, 2026 A cortado served in a small glass Cortado vs Latte: What’s the Difference? The difference between a cortado and a latte is milk: a cortado is a small drink of espresso cut with an equal… Austin Barker · June 7, 2026 A vanilla latte with latte art Vanilla Latte: What It Is and How to Make One A vanilla latte is a latte sweetened with vanilla syrup. Espresso, steamed milk, and a pump or two of vanilla, that’s the… Austin Barker · June 6, 2026 An iced latte with espresso poured over milk and ice How to Make an Iced Latte (Plus Flavour Variations) An iced latte is espresso, cold milk, and ice, nothing more. Pull a shot or two, pour it over a glass of… Austin Barker · June 6, 2026 A dirty chai latte topped with spices What Is a Dirty Chai? (Plus How to Make One) A dirty chai is a chai latte with a shot of espresso added. The spiced, sweet chai stays exactly the same, the… Austin Barker · June 6, 2026 An espresso shot being pulled Ristretto vs Espresso: What’s the Difference? A ristretto is a “restricted” espresso, same grounds, less water, stopped early. A standard espresso pulls about 36 ml from 18 g… Austin Barker · June 6, 2026 A cortado, equal parts espresso and warm milk in a small glass Cortado vs Macchiato: What’s the Difference? Both are small, espresso-forward drinks, the difference is how much milk and what kind. A cortado is equal parts espresso and warm… Austin Barker · June 6, 2026 An espresso macchiato, espresso marked with a dollop of foam Macchiato vs Cappuccino: What’s the Difference? A macchiato is mostly espresso; a cappuccino is a balance of espresso, milk, and foam. A traditional macchiato is a shot of… Austin Barker · June 6, 2026 A latte with steamed milk and microfoam in a glass Breve vs Latte: What’s the Difference? A breve and a latte are the same drink with one swap: the milk. A latte is espresso with steamed whole milk.… Austin Barker · June 6, 2026

Coffee Drink Questions

What is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?

Milk ratio and foam thickness. A cappuccino is roughly equal espresso, steamed milk and thick foam; a latte is mostly steamed milk with a thin foam layer.

How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?

About 63 mg. Most espresso drinks use one or two shots, so caffeine is similar across the menu, the difference is taste and texture.

Is cold brew the same as iced coffee?

No. Iced coffee is hot-brewed then chilled; cold brew is steeped in cold water for 12–24 hours and never heated, which makes it smoother and less acidic.

Is a flat white just a small latte?

Not quite. A flat white uses a double shot with thin microfoam, so it tastes stronger and feels denser than a latte of the same size.