I’m back with another recipe to help elevate your espresso-making game! This little Italian recipe is a classic that has had many variations throughout time, but a lot of people truly enjoy sticking to the traditional Café Macchiato recipe! Fun fact: macchiato, or espresso macchiato, is actually an Italian word for “stained” or “marked” because you are marking the espresso shot with a small amount of warm steamed milk.

For this recipe, you won’t even need much by way of ingredients or time. A traditional macchiato recipe is just an espresso shot and steamed milk. That's it. It is that easy to create a classic macchiato at home! It is usually served in a small cup or mug.

Macchiatos are not sweet espresso drinks, such as lattes or cappuccinos, but they are just as delicious! Of course, if you have a sweet tooth and still want to enjoy a Macchiato, there are other versions of macchiatos out there, such as a salted caramel option (see the Tips section at the bottom of the page for a way to make a salted caramel version). But this main recipe is just a macchiato.

Getting a Perfect Espresso Shot

Moving on to the espresso portion of this recipe, When brewing your espresso, of course, you want a nice crema on the top. For those who don't know, crema is the goldish froth that forms on the top of your espresso in the brewing process and is where a lot of the texture, aromas, and flavor are in your espresso. Everyone knows the best way to get a quality café version of an espresso is with an espresso machine.

A top suggestion is the Breville Bambino Plus – it is a quality semi-automatic machine that won't break the bank. Of course, if you were to purchase the Breville Bambino, you would also do well to look into some quality grinder options. I like the Eureka Silenzio, which is a stepless grinder (it has an infinite number of grind settings) and gives you nice results when it comes to grinding your espresso beans into a fine powder. If you are looking more into just getting a shot of espresso and not wanting to really have to learn how to use a machine, then I suggest a super-automatic machine.

Super-automatics tend to be on the pricier side, with all the features that they tend to have, but still worth the price! A few brand suggestions are Philips and Jura. Of course, if you are an espresso aficionado, go with your personal preferences! The best thing about espresso making is that even though it may seem daunting to jump into, it is really quite simple once you start!

Stats

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 6 minutes
• Serving Size: 2.25oz
• Featured Gear: Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine, Baratza Virtuoso + Coffee & Espresso Grinder

What You’ll Need

• A quality espresso maker with a steam wand, I love the easy-to-use aspect of the Rocket machine. Plus, it features PID for consistent and precise temperatures when it comes to brewing and steaming with the attached steam wand. It is also a HX machine, so I can pull my shot and steam my milk at the same time!
• A milk frother or a milk frothing pitcher if you don't have an espresso machine. Hand-held milk frothers and pitchers are a very easy way to froth your milk. This milk frothing pitcher is great for anyone just starting out and who doesn’t have much experience in using a steam wand. Plus, it is perfect for creating latte art if you are looking to get into that!
• A small cup or mug. These double-walled heat-resistant glasses will keep your espresso warmer for longer. Plus, they are shatter and scratch-resistant.
• A spoon or small scoop

How to Make a Traditional Macchiato

Ingredients

• 1.5oz warm espresso
• 1.5oz warm milk

Directions

Step 1: Brew your espresso

Brew 1.5oz of espresso into a mug or an espresso glass. The best espresso is freshly brewed espresso with an espresso machine, but that isn't always an option. Other good methods are using a French press, aeropress, or hot water (at least 93°F).

If you are just now jumping into espresso and are not really used to its bold flavor, I suggest starting off with a medium roast bean and then going to a darker roast over time if you are interested in that bold flavor! This recipe only yields a little under 3oz of espresso drink. It isn't meant to be like some of the other espresso recipes out there, such as a latte, which you can get as much as 16oz from.

Step 2: Prepare your milk foam

Take your 1.5oz of milk and either warm it up to about 160°F and froth it, or if you have an espresso machine with an attached steam wand, use that to steam your milk. Most espresso machines have an attached steam wand. If, for some reason, yours doesn't, or you are making espresso without a machine, don’t fret – you can still get a nice froth going with your milk. Start by heating your milk of choice on your stovetop to 150°F. Then, pour it into a cup and use a manual milk frother to froth the warm milk. You are going to want a lot of what could be considered “dry foam,” the fluffy stuff on the top.

When drinking a macchiato, believe it or not, you don't mix it first! You top it with a dollop of your dry foam from your steamed milk and drink. Whole milk works best for getting a nice foam on the top, but if you prefer a dairy-free option, my next best suggestion is oat milk. It has a thick and creamy consistency like whole milk does, so it will froth up perfectly. Plus, there is a slight sweetness to oat milk.

Step 3: Create and enjoy your macchiato

Using a spoon or utensil, scoop up the foam and place it on the top of your espresso. The ratio of espresso to milk in a macchiato is 2:1. This recipe calls for 1.5oz of milk and 1.5oz of espresso, but you won’t use all of the milk! Since you only need the “dry foam” on the top, you will only use about half of the steamed milk. That’s it, you are done!

Tips & Substitutions

• A real macchiato is, of course, just espresso and steamed milk, but if you want to enjoy a macchiato with a little flavor, like the ones a lot of the big coffee chain companies create, you can try making a salted caramel macchiato. While it isn't a traditional macchiato, that’s okay! Some people love espresso but also have a sweet tooth. For a salted caramel macchiato, just make your traditional macchiato using this recipe and add vanilla or caramel syrup to your espresso. After you add the milk foam, drizzle a little caramel sauce over the top and a pinch of sea salt. There you go!
• If you are not into hot drinks, as this recipe is, you can make an iced version as well!
• Espresso naturally has a slightly bitter flavor to it. A good way to curb some of the bitterness is to add a pinch of salt to your espresso. Go light with it – you don't want a salty espresso!
• You might see this recipe and think, I thought you put the milk in first? The answer is, well, with a latte macchiato, sometimes referred to as a reverse macchiato, you do! There is a little confusion between the two, but with a latte macchiato, you add the steamed milk to your glass, then your espresso, followed by the dry foam on the top. A lot of big chain coffee shops sell mainly latte macchiato beverages instead of the traditional espresso macchiato.
• Let's be honest, some people don't really like espresso, or maybe you really have no way of making it. Have no fear, you could use a cold brew coffee in its place, though the flavor will not be the same.
• This recipe can also be converted into a 21+ drink as well! Purchase a nice coffee liqueur and use a 1:2 ratio of liqueur to espresso in your drink.

Final Thoughts on This Macchiato Recipe

This traditional macchiato is a timeless drink that I really hope you add to your espresso-making repertoire. I recommend a quality espresso machine if you are interested in becoming an espresso hobbyist and are looking to continue making espresso drinks at home. Curated has many Coffee & Espresso Experts waiting to assist you in your espresso journey. We are here to help you navigate the many different machine options and assist you in the purchasing of your products. Enjoy!