If you’ve ever scanned a coffee shop menu and wondered about that one drink sitting between a macchiato and a flat white, you’ve likely encountered the cortado. It’s a simple, elegant espresso beverage that has won a dedicated following for its perfect balance. Unlike many coffee drinks that can be overly milky or intensely strong, the cortado finds a beautiful middle ground, making it an ideal choice for any time of day. For those curious about expanding their home barista skills, learning What Is A Cortado? How To Make This Espresso Drink At Home is a fantastic and achievable goal.
The name “cortado” comes from the Spanish verb “cortar,” which means “to cut.” This is a wonderfully descriptive name for the drink, as the small amount of warm, steamed milk is used to “cut” through the intensity of the espresso. It doesn’t aim to drown the coffee flavor but rather to complement and mellow it. The result is a beverage where the espresso and milk exist in harmony, neither one overpowering the other. It’s a drink for those who truly appreciate the taste of coffee.
What Is A Cortado? How To Make This Espresso Drink At Home
At its heart, a cortado is a one-to-one ratio of espresso to steamed milk. This is its defining characteristic. A standard cortado uses two shots of espresso (about 2 ounces) and an equal amount of steamed milk (about 2 ounces). The milk is steamed, but it’s not the thick, frothy microfoam you’d get for a latte or cappuccino. Instead, it has a very light texture, just enough to incorporate a silky smoothness without a significant layer of foam on top. This makes it distinct from a latte, which has much more milk, and a cappuccino, which has a thick foam cap. It’s served in a small glass, typically a 4.5-ounce Gibraltar glass, which is why you might sometimes hear it simply called a “Gibraltar.”
The Cortado’s Core Identity: Simplicity and Balance
What makes the cortado so special is its unwavering commitment to balance. Because the milk-to-espresso ratio is so even, the character of your coffee beans really gets to shine through. You’ll taste the nuanced notes—whether they’re chocolatey, nutty, or fruity—without the milk masking them. The small amount of steamed milk simply rounds out the sharp edges of the espresso, reducing its acidity and bitterness for a remarkably smooth sip. It’s a drink that respects the coffee, making it a favorite among coffee purists and those who find larger milk-based drinks too heavy.
Gathering Your Tools and Ingredients
You don’t need a professional coffee shop setup to make a great cortado at home, but a few key items will make the process much easier. First and foremost, you need a way to brew espresso. An espresso machine is ideal because it also has a steam wand for heating your milk. If you don’t have one, a stovetop Moka pot can produce a strong, concentrated coffee that works as a good substitute. You will also need a milk jug for steaming and a way to heat your milk. If you don’t have a steam wand, don’t worry. A simple saucepan on the stove or even a microwave-safe jar can be used to heat and froth the milk manually. Finally, the perfect vessel for serving is a small 4 to 6-ounce glass or a small ceramic cup.
For ingredients, focus on quality. Start with freshly roasted espresso beans and grind them just before you brew for the best flavor. For the milk, whole milk is traditionally used because it steams beautifully and adds a lovely creaminess, but any type of milk, including oat, almond, or soy, will work perfectly well.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Home Cortado
Let’s walk through the process of creating this balanced drink in your own kitchen.
Step 1: Pull Your Espresso Shots
Begin by grinding your coffee beans to a fine espresso grind. Tamp the grounds firmly into your portafilter and pull a double shot of espresso (about 2 ounces) directly into your serving glass. This pre-warms the glass and gets your coffee ready for its partner.
Step 2: Steam the Milk
While your espresso is pulling, pour about 4 ounces of cold milk into your steaming pitcher. You need more than 2 ounces to account for any milk that sticks to the pitcher. Submerge the tip of the steam wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on. You want to introduce a tiny amount of air—just enough to hear a gentle paper-tearing sound for a second or two. Then, sink the wand deeper to create a whirlpool. This incorporates the air and heats the milk evenly. Your goal is to heat the milk to around 130-150°F (55-65°C). It should feel hot to the touch but not scalding. The texture should be smooth and velvety, with very little visible foam.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
Give your milk pitcher a gentle tap on the counter and a quick swirl to break any large bubbles. Pour the steamed milk directly into the glass with the espresso, aiming for that classic one-to-one ratio. The drink will mix naturally, creating a uniform, light brown color. There’s no need for latte art here, though a simple dot or heart is always a nice touch. Your cortado is ready to be enjoyed immediately.
Tips for Cortado Success Without an Espresso Machine
If you’re working without an espresso machine, you can still create a delicious cortado-like drink. Brew a very strong coffee using a Moka pot. It won’t be true espresso, but it will have a similar intensity. For the milk, you have a few options. You can heat it in a saucepan on the stove until it’s hot but not boiling. Then, use a simple handheld milk frother to add a bit of texture. Alternatively, you can add hot milk to a French press and pump the plunger up and down vigorously for 30 seconds to create foam. The key is to aim for warm, lightly textured milk to mix with your strong coffee.
Enjoying Your Perfectly Balanced Coffee
The cortado is a testament to the idea that sometimes, less is more. It’s a straightforward drink that delivers a rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced coffee experience. By mastering the one-to-one ratio and focusing on the texture of the milk, you can easily bring the café experience to your own kitchen. It’s the perfect drink for when you want the comfort of a milk-based coffee without compromising the beautiful, complex flavor of the espresso itself.