Ever walk into a cafe and see a cortado on the menu without quite knowing what it is? Translated from Spanish, “cortado” means “cut” — and that single word tells you almost everything you need to know about this drink.
The Basics
A cortado is a variation of espresso that’s “cut” by a balanced quantity of steamed milk. It typically contains a couple of ounces each of milk and espresso. What sets it apart from your average coffee shop drink is its simplicity: cortados come in smaller sizes only, with no added flavors or sugars. Just espresso and milk, working together.
Cortado vs. Latte vs. Macchiato
All three drinks contain roughly the same amount of espresso. The difference comes down to milk:
- Macchiato — contains less milk than a cortado
- Cortado — equal parts espresso and steamed milk, no foam
- Latte — much more milk, topped with textured foam
The cortado uses no foam at all, allowing the milk and espresso to integrate completely, which also cools the drink to a comfortable sipping temperature.
Why You Should Try One
The next time you’re at a cafe, consider ordering a cortado. It offers the right amount of caffeine to wake you up and delivers a simple, soothing, rich flavor that lets the espresso speak for itself.