Glossary of Coffee Terminology: Coffee Based Drinks

Coffee Based Drinks

Coffee Glossary Table of Contents

There are many types of coffee drinks and creative coffee shops are developing new ones every day. Below is a list of the most well known coffee based drinks that have stood the test of time.

• Antoccino: A shot of espresso and steamed milk in equal parts

• Affogato: A drink made by pouring a shot of espresso over a scoop of ice cream

• Americano: Adding water to a single or double shot of espresso.

• Beaten Coffee: Also known as Indian Coffee, this is made by aerating coffee with milk and sugar until it becomes paste-like. 

• Black Eye: A drink made with 2 shots of espresso added to a cup of black coffee.

• Café au lait: Coffee drink made with equal parts hot coffee and hot milk. 

• Café Bombon: Spanish coffee drink made with a shot of espresso and sweetened condensed milk.

• Cafe Breve: Espresso-based drink made with half-and-half and espresso

• Café con Leche: Espresso mixed with scalded milk. Spanish version of the Cafe au lait. Can be made to be more or less sweet depending on preference

• Cafe Con Miel: Coffee with steamed milk and honey. Usually served after dinner

• Caffe Marocchino: A drink consisting of hot chocolate, espresso, and milk

• Caffè Sospeso / Suspended Coffee: A coffee paid for in advance. Done as an act of charity

• Cafe Tobio: Drink made with equal parts of espresso and regular coffee. Done to hide the weakness of regular coffee and bitterness of espresso.

• Cappuccino: A drink traditionally made with the ratio of ⅓ espresso, ⅓ milk, and ⅓ milk foam. A dry cappuccino means less milk in the ratio and a wet cappuccino means more milk in the ratio. 

• Cold Brew: Coffee made by mixing ground coffee with cold water and leaving it overnight in the fridge.
• Cortado: A drink made with equal amounts of espresso and steamed milk and no foam.

• Cubano: A sweetened espresso drink served with sugar foam on top

• Doppio: A double shot of espresso. 

• Espresso: A single shot of espresso (about 6-8g of ground coffee)

• Espresso Con Panna: A drink consisting of whipped cream on top of a single or double shot of espresso. 

• Espresso Macchiato: A single or double shot of espresso topped with a small amount of milk and foam. 

• Espresso Romano: Espresso served with sugar and lemon. Can be served multiple ways

• Flat White: Similar to a cappuccino and a latte but with a higher ratio of coffee to milk but smaller in volume. There is microfoam (steamed milk with small, fine bubbles and a glossy or velvety consistency). Very popular in Australia and NZ. 

• Gibraltar: Coffee drink consisting of a double shot of espresso and two ounces of steamed milk. Usually served in a Gibraltar glass

• Irish Coffee: Cocktail made with Irish whiskey, cream, and coffee. Sweetened with sugar.

• Latte (Caffe Latte): A drink traditionally made with the ratio of  ⅓ espresso and ⅔ milk and a small bit of foam. Typically 2 shots are pulled for a latte and it can be topped with a dusting of cinnamon, brown sugar, cocoa powder, or latte art. 

• Long Black: Coffee drink wherein hot water is served first, then espresso added afterwards. Usually a single or double shot of espresso and 4-6 ounces of hot water.

• Lungo: To pull a shot twice using the same grounds and add water like an americano. 

• Macchiato: A drink consisting of the same ingredients of a caffe latte but prepared with the milk first and then a shot of espresso on top. 

• Misto: A drink consisting of ½ brewed black coffee and ½ steamed milk

• Mocha: A latte with chocolate syrup or cocoa powder added with whipped cream.

• Nitro Cold Brew: Cold brew coffee but with the addition of nitrogen to add a foam layer 

• Normale: A normal way of making an espresso.

• Piccolo Latte (“small” latte): A ristretto shot of espresso topped with warm milk and typically served in an espresso cup. 

• Pourover: Method of making coffee by pouring hot water over coffee grounds contained in special coffee filter paper. The filter

• Red Eye / Shot in the Dark: A drink made by adding a shot of espresso to a cup of black coffee.

• Ristretto: A stronger shot of espresso made with half the water of a traditional shot of espresso and finer coffee grounds. 

• Short Black: Similar to a long black, but this drink is specifically an ounce of hot water and a shot of espresso.

• Single Origin: Coffee that is sourced from a specific region.

• Turkish Coffee: Ground coffee boiled in a cezve or ibrik, which are special Turkish pots made for boiling coffee.

• Vienna Coffee: Espresso mixed with whipped cream instead of milk and sugar.