Learn how to make a macchiato with this simple method! This bold shot of espresso topped with a spoonful of fluffy foam takes minutes to whip up.
Here’s a coffee drink that’s one part espresso, one part foam, and equal parts delicious: the macchiato! This espresso drink is like a lighter version of a latte, great for when you want a jolt of caffeine without all the extra calories.
Now, if you’re like me you might first think of the Starbucks macchiato: a sweet drink made with vanilla syrup and a caramel drizzle. But made the classic Italian way, a true caffè macchiato, is all about bold espresso and a whisper of foam. It’s just two ingredients, one technique, and done in under ten minutes!
What Is a Macchiato?
A caffè macchiato or espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso topped with frothed milk. The word “macchiato” means “stained” in Italian, meaning that the dark espresso is stained by the milk foam on top. Some sources say the macchiato was invented as a way to drink espresso into the afternoon.
The other type of macchiato is called a latte macchiato. A latte macchiato is steamed milk that’s stained by a bit of espresso on top. It tastes like an espresso-forward version of a cafe latte. A latte macchiato has espresso added to milk, whereas for a latte steamed milk is added to espresso. The macchiato version also has a little more foam. (How’s that for complicated?)
What about a Starbucks macchiato? The macchiato you can order at Starbucks is a latte macchiato with caramel or hazelnut-flavored syrup on top. You’ve got layers of steamed milk, foam, and espresso, and then the sweet drizzle on top. It’s almost nothing like a caffè macchiato at all!
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The macchiato is one of my personal favorite espresso drinks because I love that you get the bitter flavor of coffee without loads of milk. (To be honest, the richness of whole milk in lattes does a number on my digestion, so the macchiato is a great option!) Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Espresso roast coffee: This is important to get the right dark, bitter flavor. Espresso roast is coffee beans that have a very dark roast. Make sure to use a find grind on your espresso when you grind it.
- Whole milk: The best milk to use for a macchiato is whole milk, because it has the highest milk fat. You can get away with 2% milk here too: especially if you have a handheld milk frother. Important: make sure the milk is as fresh as possible! Milk that’s getting closer to its expiration date does not foam as well.
The best non-dairy milk for a vegan macchiato is oat milk: it froths up the best and has great flavor. Go to How to Froth Milk for more about working with non-dairy milk!
Tools for The Espresso
You don’t need a high-end espresso machine to make a great macchiato at home. Here are your best options for espresso:
- Espresso machine: There are several ways of how to make espresso. I use this espresso machine, which sits on a countertop.
- Manual espresso maker: Or you can use a small manual espresso maker: it’s cheaper and portable!
- French press: You can use this coffee making tool to make French press espresso: it has great flavor!
- Moka pot: If you have one, Moka pot coffee is very strong coffee that works as a stand-in for espresso.
Tools for Frothing Milk
You don’t need an espresso maker with steamer to make a great macchiato! You can simply heat and froth the milk, which makes it nearly as good. There are a few different tools you can use to froth milk for a latte (read more about them in How to Froth Milk). Here are a few great tools for the home barista for frothing milk:
- Espresso machine steam wand: If you have one, this is the most consistent method. Hold the wand just below the surface of the milk until it doubles in size and becomes very foamy.
- Handheld milk frother. A milk frother works very well and gets the milk extremely frothy! This is perfect for a macchiato.
- French press. If you have a French press for making coffee, it’s great for making foam! It makes a nice frothy foam with bubbles a little larger than the frother.
- Whisk. A whisk works too! This handy tool whips up the milk pretty well: it also has a bit larger bubbles and generates a little less foam than the other methods.
How to Make a Macchiato: Step by Step
The part of a macchiato that requires the most technique is frothing the milk. Here’s some good news: making the froth for a macchiato is not nearly as intense as for a latte. With a macchiato you want dry foam, which is a frothy light bubbly foam that’s pretty easy to achieve. (For a latte you want steamed milk that makes micro-foam, a wet-paint like texture: it’s not required here.) Here’s how to make a macchiato at home:
Step 1: Make the espresso using your favorite method: espresso machine, manual espresso maker, French press, or other.
Step 2: Heat the milk. Start with ½ cup whole milk. Heat it on the stovetop or steam with an espresso machine wand to 150°F, which is hot to the touch but not simmering (use a thermometer or judge by when your hand can’t hold the pitcher for more than a few seconds.).
Step 3: Froth into dry foam.
Use your preferred method (frothing wand on your espresso machine or a handheld frothing tool) to froth the milk until you get light, fluffy dry foam. You’re not going for silky microfoam here: look for big, airy bubbles. (Note: This photo shows the handheld method.)
Step 4: Use a spoon to remove the top of the foam only (dry foam) and place it on the top of the espresso. It will float right on top: not incorporate into the espresso below like in a latte.
Macchiato Variations to Try
Once you’ve tried the classic, here are a few fun directions to take it:
- Iced macchiato: Pull your espresso shots into a glass of ice, then add a small amount of cold foam on top.
- Vegan macchiato: Swap in oat milk for the best dairy-free foam. You can find barista-style oat milk at the store, which froths best.
- Flavored macchiato: Add a small drizzle of vanilla syrup before adding the foam.
And that’s it! I hope you enjoy your macchiato: let me know in the comments below (or tag me on Instagram at @acouplecooks).
Dietary Notes
This caffe macchiato recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use the oat milk variation in the recipe below.
How to Make a Macchiato
Pin RecipeHere’s how to make a macchiato…the real way! This coffee drink features a shot of espresso topped with a layer of frothy foam.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Coffee
- Method: Frothed
- Cuisine: Coffee
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 espresso shots (2 ounces)
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) whole milk foam*
Instructions
- Make the espresso: Use an espresso machine or manual espresso maker to make one shot of espresso* and pour it into a mug (or try our Aeropress Espresso).
- Steam the milk (espresso machine) or heat the milk to scalding: Start with ½ cup milk (you’ll only use ¼ cup foam.) Heat the milk to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot to the touch but not simmering. Measure with a food thermometer, or you can approximate by testing with your finger.
- Froth the milk: Use the espresso machine or a milk frother, French press or whisk to froth milk into small, even bubbles. You’ll want lots of “dry foam” for a macchiato: the fluffy stuff! The milk frother is great for this type of foam. We highly recommend reading How to Froth Milk if this is your first time frothing.
- Spoon the foam on top: Use a spoon to remove the top of the foam (dry foam) and gently place it on top of the espresso. You should use about ¼ cup foam for one drink.
Notes
*Whole milk works best; milk that is a few weeks old may not froth. You can also use oat milk for a vegan macchiato. The milk frother works well for dairy-free milk. If using the French press, pump vigorously until frothy, about 25 times. Do not overwhip, as the foam will deflate!
More Coffee Drinks
This is another post in my Barista Series: how to make all your favorite coffee house drinks at home! Here are a few espresso drinks to master:
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