Types of Macchiato

Latte Macchiato vs Caffè Macchiato

They share a name, but the latte macchiato and the caffè macchiato (espresso macchiato) are almost opposite drinks. "Macchiato" means "stained," and the difference comes down to what is staining what: milk stained with espresso, or espresso stained with milk.

Getting the two mixed up is the single most common macchiato mistake — order the wrong one and you could receive a tall, mild, milky drink when you wanted a tiny, intense shot.

A layered latte macchiato beside a small espresso macchiato

The core difference

A latte macchiato starts with a tall glass of steamed milk, and a shot of espresso is poured through it — the milk is "marked" by the coffee, creating visible layers. A caffè macchiato starts with a shot of espresso, and a small dollop of milk foam is spooned on top — the espresso is "marked" by the milk.

Feature	Latte Macchiato	Caffè Macchiato
Base	Steamed milk	Espresso
What is added	A shot of espresso	A spoon of milk foam
Typical size	8–12 oz	1.5–2 oz
Strength	Mild and milky	Strong and concentrated
Layers	Distinct milk/coffee layers	Espresso with a small cap
Caffeine	~68 mg (1 shot)	~68 mg (1 shot)

Which should you order?

Order a latte macchiato if you want something close to a mild, milky latte with a pretty layered look. Order a caffè macchiato if you want the intensity of an espresso with just a touch of milk to soften it. Note that café chains sometimes use "latte macchiato" or "caramel macchiato" for sweet, vanilla-syrup drinks that differ again from the Italian original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a latte macchiato just a latte?

They are similar but not identical. A latte macchiato uses more foam and less espresso than a latte and is built milk-first so it forms layers, whereas a latte is poured to integrate the milk and espresso smoothly.

Which macchiato is stronger?

The caffè (espresso) macchiato tastes much stronger because it is mostly espresso with only a spot of milk. The latte macchiato is mild because it is mostly milk.