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
Coffee being weighed on a scale. Photo by Ries Bosch on Unsplash. Coffee to Water Ratio: The Complete Guide for Every Brew Method The single most important variable in home coffee is the coffee-to-water ratio. Get the grind perfect, the water temperature right, the brew… Austin Barker · May 24, 2026 Clear drinking glass with brown liquid on a wooden table. Photo by Andreas Fischinger on Unsplash. Latte Macchiato vs Macchiato: What’s the Difference? A macchiato and a latte macchiato are two completely different drinks, despite sharing a name. A macchiato is espresso with a tiny… Austin Barker · May 24, 2026 Latte in a white ceramic cup with foam art. Photo by Jayden Sim on Unsplash. Mocha vs Latte: What’s the Difference? The difference between a mocha and a latte comes down to one ingredient: chocolate. A latte is espresso plus steamed milk. A… Austin Barker · May 22, 2026 Pour over coffee being brewed. Photo by René Porter on Unsplash. How to Make Pour Over Coffee: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide Pour over coffee is the brewing method that taught a generation of home baristas what their beans actually taste like. Hot water… Austin Barker · May 21, 2026 Coffee brewing in a French press. Photo by K8 on Unsplash. How to Make French Press Coffee: A Step-by-Step Guide French press coffee is one of the most forgiving and rewarding brewing methods you can learn at home. Coarse-ground beans steep in… Austin Barker · May 19, 2026 Iced coffee in a tall glass with ice. Photo by Battlecreek Coffee Roasters on Unsplash. Iced Coffee vs Cold Brew: What’s the Difference? Iced coffee and cold brew look similar in the glass, but they are made completely differently and taste nothing alike. Iced coffee… Austin Barker · May 19, 2026 Cold brew coffee served in a mason jar over ice. Photo by Matt Hoffman on Unsplash. How to Make Cold Brew Coffee: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide Cold brew coffee is one of the easiest brewing methods to master at home, coarse-ground beans steeped in cold water for 12… Austin Barker · May 18, 2026 A Frappuccino Cappuccino vs Frappuccino: 6 Key Differences Discover the six key differences between a Frappuccino and the drink it is partially named after, the cappuccino. Joel Lewis · May 17, 2026 A flat white coffee with foam art Americano vs Flat White: What’s the difference? The Americano and the flat white are two of the most frequently purchased coffees available today. But do you know the difference… Joel Lewis · May 16, 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.