Definition & Types

What Is a Macchiato?

A macchiato — from the Italian for "stained" or "spotted" — is in its original form an espresso "stained" with just a small dollop of steamed milk or foam. The traditional caffè macchiato (also called an espresso macchiato) is essentially a shot of espresso with a spoonful of milk on top, making it one of the strongest, smallest milk-coffee drinks you can order.

Confusingly, the word "macchiato" is also used for the much larger latte macchiato and for sweet, syrupy café-chain drinks like the caramel macchiato. Knowing which one you mean is the whole game.

An espresso macchiato in a small glass marked with a dollop of milk foam

Caffè macchiato vs latte macchiato

The two traditional macchiatos are almost mirror images of each other. A caffè (espresso) macchiato is espresso-first: a shot of espresso marked with a little milk. A latte macchiato is milk-first: a glass of steamed milk marked with a shot of espresso poured through it, which creates distinct layers.

	Caffè Macchiato	Latte Macchiato
Built around	Espresso	Steamed milk
Milk amount	A small dollop	A tall glass
Strength	Strong, espresso-forward	Mild, milky
Size	~1.5–2 oz	~8–12 oz
Looks like	Espresso with a spot of foam	Layered milk with an espresso stripe

The two traditional macchiatos are opposites: espresso marked with milk vs milk marked with espresso.

What does a macchiato taste like?

A traditional caffè macchiato tastes almost like a straight espresso — intense, syrupy and bold — with just enough milk to round off the sharpest edge. A latte macchiato tastes much closer to a mild latte: milky, soft and only lightly coffee-flavored.

Does a macchiato have a lot of caffeine?

Caffeine depends on the espresso, not the milk. A single-shot macchiato has about 68 mg of caffeine — the same as a cappuccino or latte with one shot. Because the caffè macchiato is so small, it delivers that caffeine in a very concentrated, strong-tasting form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a macchiato coffee?

Yes. A macchiato is an espresso drink. The traditional caffè macchiato is espresso with a small amount of milk, so it is very much coffee — arguably more so than a latte.

What is the difference between a latte and a macchiato?

A latte is mostly steamed milk with a shot of espresso, so it is mild and milky. A traditional macchiato is mostly espresso with just a spot of milk, so it is small and strong. See our full Latte vs Macchiato comparison.

Does a macchiato taste like coffee?

A traditional espresso macchiato tastes strongly of coffee — almost like espresso. A latte macchiato or a flavored caramel macchiato tastes much milkier and sweeter.