Milk drinks are distinguished by ratio and foam depth more than by anything else.
The scale
Espresso — no milk.
Macchiato — espresso “marked” with a spoonful of foam. Roughly 1:0.2.
Cortado — espresso cut with an equal volume of warm milk. 1:1, minimal foam, small glass.
Piccolo — ristretto with about twice its volume of milk. 1:2, thin microfoam, small glass.
Flat white — double ristretto with around 130 ml of milk. 1:3, thin glossy microfoam, 150–175 ml cup.
Cappuccino — traditionally equal thirds espresso, milk and foam. 1:4, thick foam layer, 150–180 ml cup.
Latte — 1:5 or wider, thin foam, 240 ml or larger.
Latte macchiato — the reverse build: milk first, espresso poured through. Layered.
What the ratio changes
More coffee means the espresso dominates and a bad shot is exposed.
More milk means sweetness and body dominate, and delicate coffee character is lost.
That is why blends suit lattes and single origins suit cortados.
Foam depth as the other axis
A cappuccino and a flat white can be similar in ratio and differ entirely in foam.
Cappuccino — a distinct foam layer, part of the drink. Flat white — foam folded through, not sitting on top.
Last reviewed 8 August 2026