Macchiato is an Italian word, meaning "stained" or "marked". The coffee drink got its name from this meaning. It is basically a shot of espresso with a dash of steamed milk. The dash is small enough so that it just "stains" the black coffee.
Now that you know what is a macchiato and it's origin, we can begin to answer the question of how to make a macchiato?! There are many different types of macchiato and different recipes, so choose your favorite and grab a pen.
Who Can Enjoy a Macchiato?
A macchiato is not for the coffee apprentice. Usually, you have to know you're a diehard coffee fan to drink it! As it's just a short black with a splash of milk, the macchiato is strong with an intense coffee flavor.
If you like espresso but would like to soften it a little bit, then the macchiato is for you. The dash of milk foam gives it some extra flavor and makes the drink less harsh.
According to one US consumer study, more people want to create espresso-based drinks in their home. The sale of espresso machines has grown by 29% from 2010 to 2015. If you have an at-home espresso machine, then you can enjoy a macchiato!
That may sound daunting, but I'm here to help. Let's take a look at the recipe.
How to Make a Macchiato
Knowing the answer to "what does macchiato mean" puts you way ahead of the crowd already. With this background knowledge, some good equipment, and best quality coffee, you can learn how to make a macchiato in no time!
What you'll need
- Freshly roasted coffee beans (12-14 g)
- Whole milk (20 ml)
- Coffee grinder
- 12 oz steaming jug
- Cappuccino machine
The Recipe |
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Grind the coffee beans. You want to grind the beans just before brewing. Go for a fine grind size for this process. |
Steam your milk. There are some similarities between a macchiato and a cappuccino, and the steaming step is one of them. Put more milk in the jug than you need so you have more to steam. Steam the milk until it hits 155 degrees. |
Swirl it around. Move your steaming nozzle up to the surface of the milk to start the swirling action. This is where the milk and foam mix together. |
Pull your espresso. A good shot of espresso should take roughly 25 seconds to pour. |
Check and pour the milk. Tap your milk jug to get rid of any bubbles and give it a twirl. Pour the foam into the middle of the espresso with a steady speed. Remember - it's not a cappuccino! We just need a touch of milk foam. |
Different Types of Macchiato
The average macchiato can be called an espresso macchiato or caffè macchiato. If you want a little more spice in your life, you might want to explore the other options.
Caramel Macchiato: (A popular flavor)
The caramel macchiato is a staple beverage in many chain coffee shops. Combine your sweet tooth and caffeine craving with a flavored macchiato.
The caramel macchiato is built in a similar way to a latte, but the steps are reversed. When making a caramel macchiato, begin with vanilla syrup and then add steamed milk and foam. Most baristas add the espresso last to mark the foam. They might even add some pretty crosshatching of caramel syrup over the top.
The result? A stronger coffee taste than a latte can offer, with a sweet mixture of caramel drizzle and syrup at the bottom half of the cup.
Iced Macchiato: (Be cool!)
If you prefer your caramel macchiato on the cooler side, that's what you can have! The ingredients are the same as the hot alternative, but there's no need to steam the milk. Check out the simple step-by-step guide below to see how to make a macchiato without the heat.
- Put 1-2 tbs vanilla coffee syrup into your cup
- Add 1 cup of milk
- Top up with 1/2 cup of ice
- Add two shots of espresso
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the top
Consume with a straw and you reverse the flavors you get in the normal caramel macchiato! The straw will hit the bottom of your cup and you get to start the drink with that sweet sugar hit.
Latte Macchiato: (What's the Difference?)
The perfect latte macchiato will have a layered effect, and the steamed milk should look "stained" with espresso. It is set apart from an espresso macchiato because we add more milk into the mix.
The first layer in your glass should be steamed milk. Pour it into a warm latte glass until it's around 2/3 full. Top up the glass with the froth. Leave the milk to settle for around 20 seconds and then pour an espresso into the center of the foam.
You should see the espresso sink down to just below the layer of foam, forming a very attractive drink!
Long vs Short Macchiato: (The comparison)
Depending on how much coffee you want, you can choose between a long and a short macchiato. Usually, a short macchiato is prepared with a single shot of espresso. A long macchiato will be made with a double shot.
Both variations can offer you that strong, full-bodied flavor of espresso. The small macchiato is the more traditional option, but most coffee shops will serve both.
All About Nutrition
The nutrition fact table below will guide you towards the information you need to know for your health. I've written about the nutritional values of the traditional, short macchiato. However, you'll be able to find out about the macchiato variations, too!
Espresso macchiato calories | 10 (51% fat, 27% carbs, 21% protein) |
Caramel macchiato calories | 350 (26% fat, 62% carbs, 12% protein) |
Latte macchiato calories | 80 (49% fat, 30% carbs, 21% protein) |
Cholesterol | 1 mg |
Sodium | 12 mg |
Potassium | 72 mg |
Protein | 0.53 g |
Total fat | 0.56 g |
The bottom Line
So there you have it! If you can make a cappuccino, you will be able to nail the macchiato. Don't let its fancy Italian name put you off, because that's actually a clue to its recipe.
With the popularity of the macchiato, I have no doubt that new variations will pop up soon. For now, what's your favorite type of macchiato?
