How to Make a Macchiato Coffee

Co-authored by Jaden Zhao

A macchiato is a coffee-based beverage that’s made with espresso and foam. A macchiato is similar to a cappuccino and a latte, but the main difference is the coffee, milk, and foam ratio. A traditional macchiato is just a shot of espresso garnished with a small amount of steamed milk, but there are also flavored and iced versions you can try as well. Many coffee shops and cafes serve macchiato varieties, but you can also make them on your own with a few pieces of equipment.

Ingredients

Traditional Macchiato

0.6 ounces (18 g) coffee beans
2 ounces (60 ml) water
1 ounce (30 ml) milk

Makes 1

Iced Macchiato

¼ cup (59 ml) espresso
1 cup (235 ml) cold milk
2 teaspoons (10 ml) sweetener or syrup
5 ice cubes

Makes 1

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Traditional Macchiato

1
Grind the beans. Macchiato is made with espresso, and each standard double shot will require 0.6 to 0.7 ounces (18 to 21 g) of coffee beans, depending on how strong you want the shot.^{[1]
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Research source} Measure the beans and transfer them to a coffee grinder. Grind the beans until they're finely ground.
- Finely ground coffee beans are about the size of salt grains. This is the ideal grind for espresso.
- You can also buy pre-ground espresso beans from grocery stores and coffee shops if you don’t have a grinder.
2
Fill the portafilter with grounds. On a professional or home espresso maker, remove the portafilter from the group head. Fill the clean portafilter with the freshly ground coffee. Tap the portafilter against your hand to distribute the grounds, and then tamp the grounds to compact them.^{[2]
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- If you don’t have access to a professional or home espresso maker, you can use a stovetop espresso maker. Pour the grounds into the inner basket and spread them around evenly with your finger.
- Use strong coffee in place of the espresso if you don’t have any means of making espresso.
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3
Make the espresso shot. Return the portafilter to the position in the group head and turn it to lock it in place. Place a demitasse cup under the portafilter and turn on the water to pull the shot. Let the water run for about 30 seconds to fully extract the shot. Stir the espresso to distribute the crema, which is the foam that builds up on top.
- With a stovetop espresso maker, fill the reservoir with water to the maximum fill line. Place the filter inside the reservoir and screw on the top. Heat the espresso over medium heat until it bubbles over into the top reservoir. Pour the espresso into a demitasse.
4
Steam the milk. Transfer cold milk to a tall metal container. Hold the container at a 45-degree angle to the steam wand. Insert the steam wand into the milk and turn on the steam. Steam until the milk has increased in volume and the container is hot to the touch. Remove the container and clean the wand with a damp towel.^{[3]
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- The ideal temperature for steamed milk is 140 F (60 C).
5
Pour the milk and serve hot. When the milk is ready, pour the steamed milk onto the espresso. Use a spoon to scoop a dollop of foam on top.^{[4]
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Research source} Serve the macchiato immediately. You can add sugar, garnish the top with cinnamon, or drink the macchiato as is.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Customizing Your Drink

1
Add flavor shots. Flavor shots are sweetened and flavored syrups that you can add to coffees and other drinks. They come in a variety of flavors, and you can buy them at grocery stores and some cafes. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of syrup to each demitasse after you pull the espresso shot.^{[5]
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- Popular shots to add to macchiatos include vanilla, caramel, and chocolate.
2
Top it with whipped cream. Macchiatos are not traditionally served with whipped cream, but you can still garnish your drink with a little whip if you like. After adding any flavor shots and pouring the milk, spoon or spray a small dollop of whipped cream on top of the beverage.
3
Garnish it with chocolate. Grated chocolate is a delicious way to finish an espresso beverage, especially if you’ve got some whipped cream on top already. When your macchiato is ready, shave a block of chocolate shavings directly onto the milk or whipped cream.
- You can use dark, milk, or white chocolate to garnish your drink.
4
Add some spice with cinnamon. Another way to change the flavor of your macchiato is to add a dash of ground cinnamon to the top after the milk has been poured.^{[6]
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Research source} If you're getting your macchiato with whipped cream, sprinkle the cinnamon on last.
- Other spices you can try with your macchiato include nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making an Easy Iced Macchiato

1
Make the espresso. There are a few ways you can make espresso for an iced macchiato. First, you can use a professional/industrial machine to make the espresso. Second, you can use a stovetop espresso maker. Finally, you can also brew a small pot of very strong coffee.
- To make strong coffee in place of espresso, use a dark roast and brew a two-cup pot using 4 tablespoons (21 g) of coffee.
2
Combine all the ingredients. Pour the milk and ice into a blender. Add a liquid sweetener, such as honey, agave, or maple syrup. You can also add a flavored syrup, such as vanilla or caramel to sweeten the drink and add an extra aroma. Finally, pour in the freshly brewed espresso or coffee.
- Use only ½ cup (118 ml) of milk if you're making the iced macchiato with coffee instead of espresso.^{[7]
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3
Blend the ingredients. Turn on the blender to the ice crush setting and blend the mixture for about a minute. Continue blending until all the ingredients are combined and there are no chunks of ice left.
4
Serve the iced macchiato. Pour the iced macchiato into a glass cup and serve. You can garnish the macchiato with caramel or chocolate syrup drizzle for an extra treat.^{[8]
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Community Q&A

Question

Is that true that milk should be cold?

Community Answer

Yes! You want to start with very cold milk. The colder the milf, the better it will froth, and the stiffer the foam will be.
Question

Does the "macchiato" have any kind of sugar in it and are there sugar free options?

Community Answer

"Macchiato" refers to the preparation of frothed and steamed milk. Sugar may or may not be added, depending upon your preference.
Question

What is the best fat content milk to use?

Community Answer

More fat content makes for better foam. The more fat the better.