A Beginner’s Guide to Popular Coffee Drinks

Walk into a coffee shop and you’ll probably hear words like latte, breve, cappuccino, cold brew, Americano, macchiato, or cortado.

For people who do not drink coffee often—or who always order the same thing—those words can feel confusing. Many people end up ordering whatever sounds familiar, even if it is not actually the kind of drink they would enjoy most.

The good news? Once you understand a few simple differences, ordering coffee becomes much easier. Latte vs. Breve

A latte is made with espresso and milk.

A breve is made with espresso and half-and-half instead of milk.

Because of that, a breve is:

• Richer

• Creamier

• Slightly sweeter tasting

• More indulgent
  

If you like a smooth, cozy drink that feels almost like a treat, you may love a breve. If you want something a little lighter, a latte is probably a better fit.

What Is a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is made with espresso, milk, and a thick layer of foam.

Compared to a latte, a cappuccino usually has:

• Less milk

• More foam

• A stronger coffee flavor
  

Many people who want a drink that still tastes like coffee—but is not quite as strong as straight espresso—love cappuccinos.

What Is a Cat-tado?

A cortado is a smaller coffee drink made with equal parts espresso and milk. Typically this is a 4 oz. Drink. At The Chatty Cat Café, we call ours a Cat-tado.

Our Cat-tado is served in an 8 oz cup and is perfect for people who:

• Want a stronger coffee flavor

• Do not want a huge drink

• Want something smoother than straight espresso
  

Because it has less milk than a latte, the espresso flavor stands out more.

What Is an Americano?

An Americano is made by adding hot water to espresso.

That means it has:

• A stronger coffee flavor than a latte

• Less creaminess

• More of a classic “coffee” taste

• A smoother flavor than regular drip coffee

An Americano is a great choice for people who want coffee, not dessert.

What Is a Ristretto Shot?

A ristretto shot is a type of espresso made with the same amount of coffee but less water.

That creates a flavor that is:

• Stronger

• Smoother

• Less bitter

• More concentrated
  

Many coffee shops use ristretto shots because they create a richer, smoother flavor in drinks.

If you have ever had a latte that tasted bold without being bitter, there is a good chance it was made with ristretto shots.

Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee

Cold brew and iced coffee may look similar, but they are made very differently.

Cold brew:

• Is steeped slowly in cold water for many hours

• Has a smoother flavor

• Is less acidic

• Often tastes stronger
  

Iced coffee:

• Is brewed hot, then cooled down

• Tastes more like traditional coffee

• Usually has a brighter, slightly sharper flavor
  

If you think coffee is too bitter, cold brew may surprise you. Many people who say they “do not like coffee” discover they actually love cold brew because it is much smoother.

Macchiato vs. Latte

The word “macchiato” can be confusing because many chain coffee shops use it differently.

A traditional macchiato is mostly espresso with just a small amount of milk foam. It has a strong coffee flavor and is usually served in a very small 2–3 oz cup.

A latte has much more milk, making it smoother, creamier, and much larger.

Some flavored drinks with “macchiato” in the name—like our Maple Pancake Meowciato—are inspired by the sweeter, layered drinks you may see at larger coffee chains.

That means our Maple Pancake Meowciato is:

• Sweeter

• Creamier

• Larger

• More similar to a flavored latte

• Not the same as a traditional macchiato
  

If you are expecting a strong, mostly espresso drink in a tiny cup, you may want a Cat-tado or a traditional macchiato-style drink instead. If you want something sweet, creamy, and fun, the Maple Pancake Meowciato is a great choice.

How Strong Is It?

Not every coffee drink has the same amount of coffee flavor. Some drinks taste more like dessert, while others have a much stronger espresso flavor.

From least coffee flavor to strongest:

1. Dessert-like frappes

2. Sweet flavored lattes

3. Latte

4. Cappuccino

5. Cold Brew

6. Cat-tado

7. Americano
   

If you are not sure what you like yet, starting somewhere in the middle—like a flavored latte or cappuccino—is often a great place to begin.

What Should I Order If...

“I Don’t Like Bitter Coffee”

Try:

• A breve

• A flavored latte

• A caramel or marshmallow drink

• Cold brew

These drinks are smoother and less likely to taste bitter.

“I Want Something Sweet”

Try:

• Catty Caramel

• S’mores Meowcha

• Maple Pancake Meowciato

• Sugar Cloud

These are some of the sweetest, most dessert-like drinks on the menu.

“I Want a Lot of Caffeine”

Try:

• Cold Brew

• Americano

• Cat-tado

These drinks have a stronger coffee flavor and are a great choice if you want more of a caffeine boost.

“I Want Something That Tastes Like Dessert”

Try:

• A Fur-Appe

• S’mores Meowcha

• Chocolate Chonk Cookie

• Cat Cookie Crumble

These drinks are rich, sweet, and perfect if you want coffee to feel more like a treat.

“I Want to Start Drinking Coffee but Don’t Know Where to Begin”

A flavored latte is usually the best place to start.

It is smooth, creamy, and easy to customize with flavors like caramel, vanilla, chocolate, or marshmallow. Many people who think they “do not like coffee” discover they actually just needed the right first drink.