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Have you always wondered, what actually is a Cortado coffee drink when out at your local cafe?
If you're a fan of coffee drinks and aren't sure what a Cortado is, we've got everything you need to know, from what a Cortado is to how to go about making this small coffee drink and more.
What Are Cortado Coffees? (Brief History & Popularity)
A Cortado belongs in the family of coffee beverages - specifically espresso-based drinks and consists of equal parts espresso shot along with steamed milk.
Its specific measurements consist of a double shot of espresso along with two ounces of milk.
The drink originated in Spain with the word "Cortado," meaning "cut," as the milk is "cutting through" the espresso.[1]
It's also served in a special glass called the Gibraltar glass that's 4.5 ounces in size and is not an espresso drink that's commonly known.
Coffee recipes at a coffee shop for this Spanish drink can differ. While certain countries may add sweeteners like honey or frothed condensed milk to make a sweetened coffee, others might brew it stronger than usual. The original Cortado recipe, however, has lightly textured milk with a bold espresso taste.
Cortados are prevalent in Spain, but they're not one of the most popular drinks in comparison to other espresso drinks outside of Spain.
It's also one of the rare coffee drinks that didn't originate in Italy but Spain. Recently, however, they have been growing in popularity amongst the coffee lovers community in San Francisco.
How To Make A Cortado At Home (Step-By-Step Guide)
If you’re looking to make this espresso drink at home, here’s a Cortado recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
Equipment Needed:
Instructions:
- 1Start by grinding your coffee beans on the fine setting.[2] If you're not sure, you can always take a look at the user manual for additional information.
- 2Go ahead and pull two shots of coffee. To do so, simply fill the portafilter, tamp the grounds and pull your double shot of espresso.
- 3When you're pulling your shot, go ahead and make about 2 ounces of steamed milk. Make sure that you're steaming as close to two ounces as possible, as you want the ratio of milk to coffee in your Cortado to be one-to-one.
- 4In terms of texture, you'll just need to ensure that the milk is lightly textured - similar to that of a latte.
- 5Gently pour the hot milk over the espresso shots and you’re good to go - no fancy latte art required.
As mentioned, you're more than welcome to customize your Cortado in accordance with what you view to be the perfect drink.
If you'd like, you can make your Espresso Cortado into an Iced Cortado or even add a splash of oat milk to make it an oat milk Cortado instead.
You can have your Cortado sweet or enjoy it as it is - espresso and steamed milk with a delicious rich flavor.
How To Drink It
When it comes to drinking a Cortado, it's not that different from drinking any normal coffee.
If you'd like to fully appreciate the flavor of your drink, however, you can pair it with sparkling water.
Have a sip of sparkling water prior to drinking your Cortado to cleanse your palate.
This will allow you to fully appreciate the espresso flavor of the coffee and filter out more intense flavors that could potentially overpower its taste.
Otherwise, you can drink a Cortado on its own - like any other black coffee drink.
Cortado Vs Other Coffee Types (Differences Compared)
Here’s a brief overview of some of the differences between Cortado vs some other coffee drinks.
Cortado Vs Cappuccino
- 1Shots of espresso
While Cortados have two shots, Cappuccinos typically have one to two shots of espresso. - 2Milk
Cortados have two ounces of lightly textured milk, while Cappuccinos have 5 ounces of milk that's both lighter and frothier. - 3Taste
The microfoam on a Cortado is a thin layer, so it doesn't have the same creamy thick foam that you'll get on a Cappuccino. If you like frothed milk, a Cappuccino would be more to your taste. - 4Drink size
Cortados are typically served in 4-ounce cups, while Cappuccinos are served in larger 6-ounce cups with milk foam.
Cortado Vs Macchiato
- 1Milk Instructions
Cortados have two ounces of milk, while Macchiatos have about one to two ounces of milk. Macchiatos also have foamed milk, while a Cortado has steamed milk. - 2Size
While they are sometimes served in the same cup, an espresso Macchiato is typically served in 3-ounce cups instead of the Cortados 4-ounce cups - depending on which coffee shops you're getting it from. - 3Taste
When it comes to taste, Macchiatos have a bolder, stronger flavor as it uses less warm milk than a Cortado, which has a more balanced flavor.
Cortado Vs Flat White
The differences between a Cortado and a Flat White are subtle, but there are some, and it's not the same drink:
- 1Size
A Flat White is served in 5 to 6-ounce cups in comparison to the Cortados 4-ounce cups. - 2Milk
The steaming milk within a Flat White is micro-foamed to give it a silky yet heavier mouth feel. The process of creating this frothy milk also requires heat, so a flat white is served hotter than a Cortado. - 3Shots of Espresso
While a Flat White has a 2:1 milk to espresso ratio, a Cortado has a 1:1 milk to espresso ratio, so it does have a more robust flavor than a Cortado.
Cortado Vs Latte
- 1Shots of Espresso
While a Cortado is made with two shots, lattes are made with 1 to 2 shots of espresso. - 2Milk
As mentioned, Cortados have 2 ounces of steam milk, while lattes can have anywhere between 8 ounces of milk and more. - 3Size
Cortados are served in 4-ounce cups, while lattes can be served in 8-ounce cups and bigger. - 4Taste
Lattes have a much milkier taste in comparison to the Cortado, which has less milk in it.
Cortado Vs Gibraltar
- 1Glass Served
Both drinks are served in a 4 to 4.5-ounce small glass, called a Gibraltar, carijillo short glass, or rock glass. - 2Ratio
With the Cortado, the milk to espresso ratio is 1:1, while in a Gibraltar, it's a double shot of espresso with 1 to 2 ounces of steamed milk. - 3Taste
Typically, the Gibraltar has a rich and velvety taste and texture in comparison to that of a Cortado - this is dependent on how your local coffee shop makes it.
FAQs
Does Starbucks make a Cortado?
It’s not an official drink, but Starbucks can certainly make a Cortado coffee. To order a Cortado, just ask for a double shot of espresso with two ounces of steamed milk.
Is a Cortado stronger than Espresso?
Ultimately, there's still milk in a Cortado, so it's not stronger than an espresso. It does have the intensity of an espresso with a powerful espresso flavor; however, the foamed milk adds a touch of sweetness to the drink.
How do you pronounce Cortado?
Cortado is a Spanish word that is pronounced ‘COR-TA-DOH’ and belongs to the espresso drinks family.
Why is a Cortado often served with sparkling water?
It’s often served with sparkling water to help with cleaning the palate. Take a sip of sparkling water before and after drinking the Cortado to fully enjoy its robust taste.
Conclusion
The Cortado is one of the less well-known espresso drinks that's espresso mixed with equal parts milk, which many coffee lovers enjoy.
It's a perfect morning beverage and great for individuals that want both the creaminess of the milk and the intensity of the espresso.
While it might be one of the lesser well-known delicious drinks out there, pair it with an after-dinner dessert, and you're good to go!
References:
1. https://www.definitions.net/definition/cortado
2. https://www.popsci.com/story/science/coffee-brewing-science/
