Key Takeaways

A 1:1 Balance: The cortado uses a precise 1:1 ratio of espresso to steamed milk. The milk's purpose is to "cut" the espresso's sharp intensity without diluting its flavour.
Distinct Flavour Profile: A cortado is an espresso-forward beverage with a creamy, smooth texture and a bold taste. It's stronger than a latte but smoother than a straight espresso.
Home Brewing Tips: With the right beans and attention to detail in grinding, tamping, and steaming, the cortado is a professional-level coffee that you can master at home.

Even if you’re a real coffee lover, you might have caught yourself checking out a cafe menu and wondering "what is a cortado?" This drink is the ultimate secret weapon of baristas, balancing the intense flavour of espresso with the perfect amount of steamed milk.

Here’s everything you need to know about this popular coffee drink and how to make a cortado at home.

The Cortado Explained: More Than Just a Little Latte

A cortado is a Spanish espresso drink that gets its name from the word cortar, meaning "to cut." This perfectly describes how a small amount of steamed milk is used to cut the espresso's sharp intensity, resulting in a balanced and smooth beverage. The key to a true cortado is its precise 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk.

The milk should be steamed just enough to warm it, creating a thin, velvety layer of microfoam, not the thick, airy foam you'd find on a cappuccino. The minimal amount of milk means a cortado is an espresso-forward drink, making it taste quite strong. This is a common point of confusion, as the milk mellows the flavour without diluting the overall strength.

Cortado vs. Other Drinks: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Cortados can be easily confused with other popular espresso drinks. To clarify the differences and help you find your perfect cup, here's a detailed comparison.

Cortado vs Cappuccino

Cappuccinos have 1-2 shots of espresso, whereas cortados have 2 shots. However, the main difference between a cortado and a cappuccino is the amount of milk used. Cappuccinos have more milk and foam. A cortado has a thin microform layer, whereas a cappuccino has a thick one. Cappuccinos are also a little less caffeinated.

Cortado vs Latte

A cortado can easily be confused with a latte. While they do contain the same amount of espresso, a cortado contains a lot more milk. Lattes have less caffeine than a cortado because of the greater volume of steamed milk, which further dilutes the espresso.

Feature	Cortado	Latte	Cappuccino
Espresso to Milk Ratio	1:1 (equal parts espresso and steamed milk)	1:2 to 1:3 (espresso with more milk)	1:2 (espresso with equal or slightly more milk)
Milk Texture	Lightly steamed milk, very thin microfoam	Silky steamed milk, topped with thin foam	Steamed milk with thick, airy foam (about ⅓ of the drink)
Serving Size	4–6 oz (small glass)	8–16 oz (larger cup or mug)	5–8 oz (small cup)
Flavour Profile	Bold espresso forward, lightly softened	Creamy, smooth, and milk-dominant	Strong and balanced with a light, airy sweetness
Origin/Tradition	Spain (popular in cafés across Madrid & Barcelona)	Italy (later adopted widely in the U.S. and globally)	Italy (classic tradition, part of Italian breakfast culture)
How to Serve	Small glass tumbler	Large ceramic mug or tall glass	Small cup (150–180 ml)

How to Make a Cortado (Your 4-Step Guide)

A cortado is a perfectly balanced espresso drink, cutting the espresso’s intensity with an equal amount of smooth steamed milk. Mastering it at home takes attention to detail in each step, from bean selection and espresso pulling to milk steaming and pouring.

Step 1: Choose Your Beans

Choose medium to dark roast beans with rich, nutty, or chocolatey notes. Beans from South or Central America work well because of their natural sweetness and depth. For the best flavour, use a burr grinder to grind your beans just before brewing.

Step 2: Pull a Great Espresso Shot

Use about 18 grams of finely ground coffee for a double shot. Distribute the grounds evenly and tamp with firm, level pressure. Aim for an extraction of 40 grams in weight within 25 to 30 seconds. The final shot should be rich with a thick crema, which indicates a good extraction.

Step 3: Steam the Milk

Use whole milk for the creamiest texture, heating it to around 60°C. The goal is to create silky, smooth steamed milk with a very thin microfoam, not the thick foam of a cappuccino. Listen for a subtle "paper tearing" sound during steaming and stop before large bubbles form.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Pour the double espresso shot into a small glass, such as a traditional 4.5 oz Gibraltar glass. Slowly add the steamed milk, maintaining a 1:1 ratio. Pour gently to blend the espresso and milk while preserving the texture. The final drink should have a smooth, velvety appearance. Serve immediately to enjoy the balanced flavour at its peak.

4 Must-Try Cortado Variations

A cortado's perfect balance makes it a great canvas for creative twists. While traditionally served without additions, you can easily elevate the drink with simple variations.

Brown Sugar Cortado: A popular twist made by stirring a spoonful of brown sugar into the espresso before adding milk.
Leche y Leche: A Spanish variation which layers condensed milk at the bottom, espresso in the middle, and steamed milk on top. This creates a visually striking and sweeter drink with a balance of intense coffee and creamy milk.
Cortado Condensada: Steamed condensed milk is used instead of regular milk, resulting in a denser, sweeter cortado experience that highlights creaminess and sweetness.
Iced Cortado: An iced coffee version made by pouring equal parts espresso and cold milk over ice, offering a refreshing balance of coffee flavour and milk creaminess without heating the milk.

Find Your Perfect Balance with Di Stefano

You've now unlocked the secrets of the cortado! More than just a simple mix of milk and espresso, this coffee is a testament to precision brewing and balance flavour.

Now you have the knowledge to brew like a pro, all that's left is to find the perfect beans. Explore Di Stefano’s selection of speciality coffee beans and shop online now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cortado coffee?

A cortado is a small Spanish coffee with a 1:1 ratio of espresso to steamed milk, traditionally served in a glass. This precise balance "cuts" the espresso's acidity and bitterness, creating a perfectly smooth, rich, and flavourful drink.

What is a cortado called in Australia?

While it's sometimes called a piccolo latte, a cortado has a true 1:1 espresso to milk ratio. In contrast, a piccolo is a slightly larger drink with more milk, resulting in a less intense espresso flavour.

What does a cortado taste like?

A cortado tastes like a beautifully balanced, espresso-forward drink with a creamy, silky texture. The small amount of steamed milk subtly sweetens and mellows the coffee's acidity, making it smoother than a straight espresso.

Can you make a cortado without an espresso machine?

Yes, you can. The key is to create a very strong coffee concentrate, which can be done using a Moka pot, AeroPress, or a small French press. Simply combine this with an equal part of steamed milk to mimic the classic cortado's rich balance and flavour.

Is cortado coffee strong?

Yes, a cortado is considered quite strong. Its high espresso-to-milk ratio means the coffee's flavour is less diluted than in a latte, delivering a bold and intense taste with a rich, silky texture.

Additional Reading

Keen to keep learning about the different types and styles of coffee drinks from around the world? We have a range of content available on our Drinks blog. Take a look below:

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About the Author

Nicolas Di Stefano, a third-generation Master Roaster and Director of Di Stefano Coffee, continues his family’s proud legacy of exceptional coffee craftsmanship. Blending traditional Italian roasting methods with a modern dedication to quality, Nicolas ensures every cup embodies the rich flavour and consistency Australians have come to love.