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
Drinking coffee helps to acquire the taste Is coffee an acquired taste? Why is it that children think coffee is disgusting but adults love it? It's all because coffee is an acquired taste. Megan Cunningham · May 4, 2026 A macchiato coffee Americano vs Macchiato: What’s the difference? We explain the differences between the Americano and macchiato, how they are made, and what they taste like. Joel Lewis · May 3, 2026 Coffee with cold water and ice cubes Can you make coffee with cold water? You may be surprised to learn that making coffee with cold water is possible! Here's the secret... Megan Cunningham · May 3, 2026 Make an espresso with a French Press. Shot of espresso in an elegant glass. How to Make Espresso Without a Machine (5 Methods That Work) Espresso machines can be expensive, and not everyone has one sitting on their counter. The good news: you can pull an espresso-style… Megan Cunningham · April 23, 2026 An espresso being poured Americano vs. Espresso: What’s the difference? We continue our series of coffee comparisons with a look at Americano and espresso coffees.  What is an Americano? How is it… Joel Lewis · April 21, 2026 Espresso is a type of coffee drink Types of Coffee Drinks: 26 Coffees Explained In this ultimate guide to types of coffee drinks, we take a deep dive into the various coffee drink types and what… Austin Barker · April 20, 2026 Two cups side by side, espresso and coffee. Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash. Espresso vs Coffee: Caffeine, Flavour, and Which Is Stronger An espresso shot is more concentrated than a regular cup of coffee, but a cup of regular coffee usually contains more total… Austin Barker · April 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.