What’s the difference between popular espresso drinks like Cappuccino, Latte, Flat White or Cortado? We also covered all black coffee options based on the single or double espresso shot. You will see all the coffee drinks side-by-side!
In this guide, we teamed up with our friend Tomi, a skilled barista and co-owner of Večerka in Brno, to walk you through the most common espresso-based drinks—both black and milk-based—served in specialty coffee shops across Europe and beyond.
☕ Black Coffee Drinks
Espresso (Single Shot)
The foundation of every espresso drink. A Single Espresso is about 20–30 ml (or grams) of intense, concentrated coffee with rich flavor and creamy texture. Pro tip: stir before sipping to mix all the layers.
Double Espresso (Doppio)
Same brew recipe, double the coffee. Made by using both spouts of the espresso machine into a larger cup (often a cappuccino cup). It’s often more cost-effective than ordering two singles.
Americano
Perfect if you like a milder coffee. An Espresso shot diluted with 100–120 ml of hot water, served in a cappuccino cup. You’ll still taste the espresso’s character—just toned down.
Lungo
A longer, less intense espresso. It can be made by adjusting the espresso extraction or, as done at Večerka, served with a shot of espresso and hot water on the side for you to adjust.
Filter Coffee (Batch Brew)
Although not made on an espresso machine, filter coffee is a great option for a large cup of black coffee. It’s typically more delicate and changes flavor as it cools.
🥛 Milk-Based Coffee Drinks
Espresso Macchiato
The smallest milk espresso drink. A single espresso with a dash of foamed milk, usually in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio, served in a demitasse (espresso) cup.
Cortado / Piccolo
A balanced, short milk drink served in a small glass. It’s a 1:4 ratio of espresso to milk, offering more coffee flavor than a larger milk drink.
Flat White
Popular in Australia and New Zealand, the Flat White is a double espresso with milk served in a small cup (150–180 ml). Expect more caffeine and bolder coffee flavor in every sip.
Cappuccino
One of the most loved coffee drinks globally. Made with a single espresso and steamed milk in a 150–200 ml cup, often showcasing the barista’s latte art skills. The coffee-to-milk ratio is typically around 1:6 or 1:7.
Café Latte
For those who prefer milk-forward drinks, the Café Latte is a single espresso with a lot of steamed milk—usually served in large 300 ml cups. The ratio can be as high as 1:14.
🧾 Espresso Drink Summary Table
| Drink | Espresso | Milk | Volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | ✓ | – | ~25 ml | Rich, intense |
| Double Espresso | ✓✓ | – | ~50 ml | More value, more caffeine |
| Americano | ✓ | – | ~120 ml | Milder, diluted with hot water |
| Lungo | ✓ | – | ~30–40 ml | Less intense, sometimes diluted |
| Filter Coffee | – | – | ~200 ml+ | Brewed manually or via batch |
| Macchiato | ✓ | ✓ | ~40–50 ml | Strong, with a little milk |
| Cortado | ✓ | ✓ | ~100 ml | Balanced, milk in a glass |
| Flat White | ✓✓ | ✓ | ~150 ml | Bold, creamy |
| Cappuccino | ✓ | ✓ | 150–200 ml | Most popular globally |
| Café Latte | ✓ | ✓ | ~300 ml | Milk-heavy, very smooth |
📊 What People Actually Order at Večerka
At Večerka in Brno, 68% of customers order milk-based drinks, while 32% go for black coffee. Here’s the breakdown:
Black Coffee Orders:
- Batch Brew: 16% (most popular black coffee)
- Espresso: ~7%
- Americano and Doppio: ~4% each
Milk Coffee Orders:
- Cappuccino: 37% (most popular drink overall!)
- Flat White: 16%
- Café Latte: 11%
- Cortado & Macchiato: 1–2%
🎥 Want to See These Drinks Made?
We demo each of these drinks in action in our YouTube video here. Whether you’re a coffee newbie or just want to finally understand your local café’s menu, this guide is your go-to reference.
