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 caramel macchiato layered in a tall glass with caramel drizzle What Is a Caramel Macchiato? Plus an Easy Copycat Recipe A caramel macchiato is vanilla-flavored steamed milk “marked” with a shot of espresso and finished with a caramel drizzle. It is one… Austin Barker · June 4, 2026 Milk being steamed with an espresso machine steam wand How to Froth and Steam Milk at Home (With or Without a Machine) Frothing and steaming both add air to milk, but steaming uses the pressurized steam from an espresso machine to heat and texture… Austin Barker · June 3, 2026 Iced coffee topped with a layer of cold foam in a glass How to Make Cold Foam (Sweet Cream + 5 Flavors) Cold foam is cold milk (or a milk-and-cream mix) aerated into a thick, pourable foam that floats on top of an iced… Austin Barker · June 2, 2026 An affogato, a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a freshly pulled espresso poured over it. What is an Affogato? The Italian Espresso Dessert Explained An affogato is an Italian coffee dessert made by pouring a freshly pulled shot of hot espresso over a scoop of cold… Austin Barker · May 31, 2026 Barista pouring steamed half-and-half into an espresso to make a breve coffee. What is a Breve? The Creamy Half-and-Half Coffee Explained If you’ve ever scanned a café menu and wondered why a “breve” costs a dollar more than a latte, the answer comes… Austin Barker · May 30, 2026 Italian moka pots on a wooden shelf. Photo by Babak Eshaghian on Unsplash. How to Use a Moka Pot: A Step-by-Step Stovetop Guide A moka pot makes strong, concentrated coffee on your stovetop in about 5 minutes, no electricity required, no pods, no $500 espresso… Austin Barker · May 29, 2026 AeroPress coffee maker. Photo by Elin Melaas on Unsplash. How to Use an AeroPress: The Complete Beginner’s Guide The AeroPress is one of the simplest, most forgiving brewing methods you can own, and one of the most versatile. A medium-fine… Austin Barker · May 27, 2026 Espresso being made at home with a grinder and cup. Photo by Mona Jain on Unsplash. How to Make Espresso at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide Making real espresso at home, the kind with proper crema, a rich body, and a clean finish, comes down to three variables:… Austin Barker · May 26, 2026 A barista pouring milk into a flat white. Photo by Rosie Sun on Unsplash. What Is a Flat White? The Complete Coffee Drink Guide A flat white is a double shot of espresso topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of velvety microfoam, typically served… Austin Barker · May 26, 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.