13 Popular Types of Coffee – The Definitive Guide in 2023
One of the greatest things about coffee is its versality to create all kinds of coffee drinks. From the humble black coffee to Espressos, Americanos, Flat Whites or Macchiatos…
There are so many different coffee drinks out there to try!
What is the difference between a Latte and a Cappuccino? Is it a good idea to have an Irish Coffee at work? How can you prepare some of these drinks to enjoy at home, or to impress guests?
Yes, we all like to show off!
No worries, cause we got your back!
We have put together this guide to tell you all about the most popular coffee types out there, but also other types that are not so popular. We have also included a handy coffee chart so that you can easily refer to it!
In this guide, we’ll cover the following coffee drinks and how you can make them at home:
- Espresso
- Doppio
- Americano
- Latte
- Cappuccino
- Mochaccino
- Macchiato
- Flat White
- Cortado
- Irish Coffee
- Vietnamese Coffee
- Turkish Coffee
- Affogato
Let us know what you think of this coffee chart! And we are continuously updating, so if you'd like we can add your favorite coffee drink if it's missing here! Just let us know!
Different Types of Coffee Drinks
1. Espresso
| Ingredients | Quantity/Ratio |
| Finely Ground Medium Dark or Dark Roast Coffee Beans | 1 parts (by weight) Or ½ oz of ground coffee |
| Water | 2 parts (by weight) Or 1 oz of water |
SUMMARY
The humble espresso is one of the simplest coffee drink concoctions you can make! It does not require much in terms of ingredients…
Only espresso coffee beans, water and espresso cups!
But there is an art to making good espresso!
Make sure you follow these quick tips to ensure you get a delicious espresso shot!
- Select beans with a medium-dark to dark roast.
- Make sure you grind the beans to a fine powder to slow down the coffee extraction
- Espresso coffee requires high pressure to push the water through the finely ground coffee beans. To make a proper espresso you will need an espresso machine!
- Even within the espresso category, there are different variations. For example, the Ristretto espresso is more concentrated and made with a 1:1 ratio of coffee and water.
If you don’t have an espresso machine, we highly recommend the De'Longhi Magnifica ESAM 3300 (check out our detailed review about it), or the De’Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker! Although it may look a bit vanilla, it’s amongst the best value espresso machines out there!
Pro Tips:
If you don’t have a coffee station with an espresso machine, don’t fret! You can use an AeroPress or a Nespresso machine!
- Finely ground your favorite coffee beans using a burr grinder. You will need about 1 ounce of ground coffee. You can also use pre-ground espresso coffee beans, but the fresher the ground coffee, the tastier it is.
- Heat up about 2 ounces of water to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. We recommend heating slightly more water to account for evaporation.
- While the water heats up, stack your AeroPress and add a filter inside the drain cap. Adding more filters will increase the pressure needed for water to pass through!
- Add the ground coffee over the filter.
- Add the hot water, stir, and push the AeroPress down slowly! Make sure the whole setup is stable as you will need to press hard!
- Finally, enjoy your delicious cup of espresso!
FUN FACT
Have you ever heard of "Proffee" or Protein Coffee before? Click the link to learn more about it!
2. The Doppio
| Ingredients | Quantity/Ratio |
| Finely Ground Medium Dark or Dark Roast Coffee Beans | 2 part (by weight) Or 1 oz of ground coffee |
| Water | 4 parts (by weight) Or 2 oz of water |
SUMMARY
In Italian, Doppio means double or twice!
As the name suggests, this type of coffee drink is simply two shots of espresso in a cup. No water, sugar or milk added.
Obviously like the espresso, the Doppio features strong and bitter flavors.
And…
Being a double espresso, it also features a good jolt of energy to help you power through that after-lunch slumber!
Pro Tips:
The Doppio (and espresso) are supposed to be drunk as soon as they are extracted.
As a result, if you go to Italy, you will see people standing right at the coffee bar enjoying these delicious types of coffee drink before to avoid them cooling down!
3. Americano
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso | 1 oz |
| Hot Water | To taste |
SUMMARY
The Americano is one of my favorites…
And one of my preferred ways to start my day!
Besides the taste and caffeine intake needed in the wee hours, it requires little effort to prepare…
…which is great for my morning grogginess!
I’m sure you can relate, right?!
The Americano is simply an espresso shot with hot water. Some people mistake this drink with regular drip coffee, but these two drinks are not the same.
Actually, they're quite different! Unless you combine them, like a Red Eye Coffee...
Drip coffee can be made using a drip coffee maker with grinder, an automatic pour over coffee maker, a 4 cup coffee maker, or a single-serve coffee maker, such as a Keurig coffee maker with K Cup coffee pods or a Nespresso machine with Nespresso pods.
While an Americano requires an espresso machine since it is comprised of espresso shots and hot water. Plus there is no coffee to water standard ratio for this kind of coffee, it’s really up to your personal preferences.
Make sure, though, not to add boiling water – we recommend 205 degrees Fahrenheit or 96 degrees Celsius.
Pro Tips:
You may have heard to first add the espresso shot to your coffee mug, and then the hot water. We recommend adding the hot water first and then the espresso shot.
This will ensure the oils and crema remain on top. This is sometimes called a Long Black.
Try both methods and let us know what you think!
Fun Facts:
Did you know there is a such a thing as poop coffee? Read our article to learn more!
4. Latte
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso | 1 oz |
| Steamed Milk | About 2 oz |
| Foamed Milk | About an inch |
SUMMARY
The Latte is one of those heart-warming coffee drinks!
Very few experiences match sipping a latte while people watching in a small plaza somewhere in Italy…
Talking about Italy, latte means milk in Italian. A latte, however, is not simply coffee with milk. This coffee drink uses steamed milk with a layer of milk foam added on top.
To prepare a latte, add steamed milk to an espresso shot. Then add a thin layer of frothed milk on top.
And there you have it, another type of coffee you can easily enjoy at home!
Did you know?
Many baristas spend years perfecting their latte art skills and pride themselves with some amazing creations…
Pro Tips:
Play around a bit with the steamed milk proportions to get the best results for you!
Plus lattes are one of the most versatile kinds of coffee; so experiment by adding a dash of vanilla, caramel or any other flavor you like! There is also something called Spanish Latte. Check our post to learn more!
Oh and make sure you don't confuse a latter for a caffe misto or a cafe au lait...
4. Cappuccino
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso | 1 oz |
| Steamed Milk | 1 oz |
| Foamed Milk | 1 oz |
SUMMARY
A cappuccino is the perfect marriage between the silky smoothness and creaminess of steamed milk and the bitterness of coffee.
Cappuccinos and lattes are similar. They both use espresso shots as the base, with added steamed milk and foam.
But the main different between these two kinds of coffee drinks is the proportion of the steamed milk and froth.
Cappuccinos have the same proportions of espresso, steamed milk and foam. While lattes contain more steamed milk and a thinner layer of foam!
Cappuccinos also tend to have powder cocoa or cinnamon sprinkled on top!
Pro Tips:
Don’t have a milk frother? All is not lost! You can very easily forth milk without one:
- Add milk to a mason jar, about halfway
- Warm the milk the microwave for about 45 to 60 seconds, while stopping every 15 seconds to stir. You want hot milk, but not boiled.
- Add the lid to the heated milk and shake shake shake! Do this for about 30 to 60 seconds!
Coffee Trivia
- Did you know that in Italy, cappuccino is a breakfast coffee drink?
- The thick layer of foam is not only delicious and visually appealing, but it also acts as an insulator keeping the coffee warm!
- Did you know there is a cappuccino variation without steamed milk? These are called bone dry cappuccinos.
6. Mochaccino
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso | 1 oz |
| Steamed Milk | 1 oz |
| Milk Froth | 1 oz |
| Chocolate syrup or sweet cocoa powder | 1 tsp |
SUMMARY
A Mochaccino, or mocha for short, is what happens when a cappuccino and hot chocolate get married and have a kid.
The result is one of the most sumptuous coffee drinks out there.
It combines the bitterness of espresso coffee and the creaminess of steamed milk, with the sweetness and astringency of chocolate that we all love!
You might be thinking…
Mocha is one of those fancy kinds of coffee drinks that only coffee shops can prepare.
If you have a sudden craving, don’t panic! Making a mocha at home is actually pretty easy!
To prepare this amazing coffee drink, all you need is espresso coffee, milk and chocolate syrup.
Cocoa powder works equally well, but make sure to add it to the milk before you froth it to prevent lumps forming.
To 1 oz of espresso coffee, add 1 oz of hot steamed milk, and 1 tsp of chocolate syrup. Finally, top it off with about 1 inch of foam.
We recommend serving in these beautiful glass cups by JoyJolt! Not only its double walls will keep the coffee warm, but its beautiful design will impress your guests!
Pro Tips
Our tip here is to experiment with this type of coffee drink!
- Play around with the chocolate proportions. For some people (I am guilty!), the more chocolate the better!
- Try having it as an iced drink, just add the chocolate to the hot espresso, then add ice and top it all off with cold milk – no need to froth it!
- Or, try using white chocolate instead of milk chocolate! We recently discovered this white chocolate sauce by Torani. We can’t get enough of it! It goes really well with most kinds of coffee drinks!
7. Macchiato
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso | 1 oz |
| Milk Foam | A dash |
SUMMARY
The Macchiato is an espresso shot with a dollop of milk foam on top. The foam with the strong bitterness of the espresso creates a sharp contrast for your taste buds to enjoy!
The Macchiato does not really have any standard measurements, which makes this one of the most diverse coffee beverages!
Some baristas use a 1:3 espresso to foam ratio, others use less.
Simply add some milk foam to your espresso shot, and experiment to find the perfect amount of foam based on your personal preference!
Pro Tips:
Each coffee shop and every barista will have their own version of a macchiato. This is because there isn’t really a set standard on how to make this type of coffee drink.
So ordering macchiatos from different coffee shops is a great way to enjoy café hopping!
Or if you have a preference, make sure you tell the barista your preferred ratios when ordering!
Popular Post
Learn How to Make Coffee in a Percolator
8. Flat White
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso | 1 to 2 oz |
| Steamed Milk | Top up your cup |
SUMMARY
The flat white is another one of my favorite coffee drinks. It is simple and delicious.
Plus, it brings back memories of Melbourne, Australia where I first discovered it!
Flat whites are very popular in Australia and New Zealand. They are originally from there, but there is some debate on whether they originated from Australia or New Zealand.
Either way, if you travel to that region, you must try this type of coffee drink!
I know it exists in North America, in coffee shops like Starbucks. But you have to try it where it originated from for the authentic experience!
This simple coffee drink allows you to thoroughly enjoy the strong flavors of espresso coffee while the steamed milk ensures the flavor is not overwhelming.
Flat whites and lattes are different coffee drinks…
The main difference is that flat whites do not have foam on top – hence the name ‘flat white’. Also, the coffee flavor in flat whites is stronger as they tend to contain more espresso relative to steamed milk.
To prepare a flat white, add steamed milk to an espresso shot. That’s all! Easy-peasy!
Pro Tips:
White flats use milk that has not been diluted with foam as much as lattes. The result is a coffee drink with a bolder flavor profile.
White flats are a more practical kind of coffee drink when compared to lattes. They are usually ordered and consumed ‘on the go’. They’re great for travelers or for those of us who like to walk with a coffee in hand!
9. Cortado
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso | 2 oz |
| Steamed Milk | 2 oz |
SUMMARY
Cortado is the past tense of the verb ‘to cut’ in Spanish. This name is suitable given that a small amount of steamed milk is used to cut the strong espresso flavor.
Cortados use less milk than its latte and flat white counterparts.
Typically, 2 oz of steamed milk is added to two shots (2 oz) of espresso.
Another key different between cortado coffee and its counterparts is that the steamed milk used in cortados does not contain foam – it is not texturized.
Pro Tips:
Cortados, flat whites and lattes at first may seem like the same types of coffee drinks…
They all have the same ingredients; espresso coffee plus some form of steamed milk.
The best way to understand these different coffee drinks is to experience them!
Assuming you don’t need to sleep, next time you are at your favorite coffee shop, order a cortado…then a flat white….and then a latte! And compare!
The barista will surely appreciate your interest in coffee!
And make sure to let us know which one is your favorite between these three different coffee types!
10. Irish Coffee
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso Coffee | 2 oz |
| Irish Whiskey | 1 oz |
| Heavy cream, lightly whipped | 2 oz |
| Brown sugar | 1 tsp |
SUMMARY
Irish coffee is considered more of a cocktail than a type of coffee drink.
Probably not the best drink to have in the morning with an empty stomach before work! Plus it’s not suitable for those who aren’t of legal drinking age…
Sorry youngsters…
Irish coffee is relatively simple to prepare at home. The key is to use freshly brewed coffee, and preferably using medium-dark to dark roast beans!
To prepare this coffee cocktail:
- Add 1 tsp of brown sugar to 1 oz of your favorite Irish whiskey and stir in a small pot on low heat.
- Make sure to stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved and don’t let it get too hot. This will ruin the flavor. The intent is to warm the whiskey and sugar mix just enough so that it does not cool the coffee.
- Whip the heavy cream, until it thickens, but avoid whipping too much – it should not become stiff. It should be easy to pour.
- Add the whiskey and sugar mix to 2 oz of freshly prepared espresso.
- Top it off with the whipped cream.
- And enjoy your coffee drink (…ahem…cocktail), but not too early in the morning…
Pro Tips:
There are different variations of Irish Coffee! The recipe above is more of a classic approach to Irish Coffee.
But…
This should not hold you back from being creative!
For example, adding some cocoa powder to your Irish Coffee is a great way to change things
up!
If you want to impress your friends or guests and look like a pro, add a couple of coffee beans on top of the cream, and use glass coffee cups to see the contrast between the dark and white layers of coffee and cream!
11. Vietnamese Coffee
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Vietnamese ground coffee (or finely ground dark roasted coffee) | 3 tbsp |
| Sweet condensed milk | 1-2 tbsp |
| Water | 6 oz |
SUMMARY
Next enter Vietnamese Coffee, we are really excited to present to you this amazing coffee beverage.
Vietnamese coffee on its own is amongst the darkest and most bitter types of coffee we have tried.
This is where the sweet condensed milk comes in to balance things out.
The contrast between the bitter coffee and sweetness of the condensed milk is to die for…
Well, don’t take this literally, haha!
If you get hooked and end up having 3 cups of Vietnamese coffee, we are not responsible for any heart palpitations!
Preparing this type of coffee is traditionally done using a Vietnamese metal coffee filter, or a phin. If you don’t have a phin, you could use a French Press or an espresso machine.
But we highly recommend preparing it using with a phin if you have not tried Vietnamese coffee before. Phins are made of stainless steel, are portable, relatively inexpensive and they last forever!
Did I forget to say they are one of the most environmentally friendly ways to prepare coffee?
Preparing Vietnamese Coffee is fairly simple:
- Add 1-2 tbsp of the condensed milk to an empty glass.
- Place the phin’s filter plate and brew chamber on top of your drinking glass.
- Add 3 tbsp of Vietnamese Coffee to the phin and lightly tap to make sure the coffee is evenly distributed into the filter.
- Then place the phin’s gravity press on top of the coffee.
- Pour about 2 tbsp of hot water and wait a couple of minutes. This is to bloom the coffee, which is when coffee releases gases and expands.
- Add the remainder of the water and cover the brew chamber with the phin’s lid. Brewing should take about 5 minutes!
- Once done, stir the coffee with the condensed milk and enjoy!
You’re Welcome…
Pro Tips:
If you are looking to get a phin, we really like the phin set below by Thang Long. It is easy to use, and even easier to clean!
Thang Long provides amazing customer service and it comes with a lifetime warranty. We recommend getting the 8 oz one as it’s the traditional size, and the filter works better than the larger sizes.
12. Turkish Coffee
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Room Temperature Water | 1 Turkish cup (about 2-2.5 oz) |
| Turkish Coffee | 2 tsp |
| Sugar (Optional) | 1 or 2 tsp |
SUMMARY
Turkish coffee is one of the richest and thickest kinds of coffee drinks out there!
Turkish coffee is meant to be sipped slowly while hanging out with friends! Traditionally, Turkish coffee is almost always enjoyed in a social gathering.
Turkish coffee refers to the preparation method of coffee – this name does not refer to the coffee beans used.
This kind of coffee is prepared using very finely ground coffee beans. They are as finely ground as flour! This is unique to Turkish coffee – it is so finely ground that a filter is not required!
Unless you have a proper coffee grinder, we recommend purchasing pre-ground Turkish coffee. It can easily be found in most Middle-Eastern or Mediterranean stores or online!
Our favorite is this Turkish coffee pack by Kurukahveci. It is consistently of high quality and the price is good!
Preparing this type of coffee drink is easy:
- In a small pot, pour the room temperature water, coffee and sugar. Stir until the coffee (and the sugar if you want a sweeter coffee drink) have dissolved.
- Next, put the pot on medium-low for a few minutes until you see bubbles forming. Using a spoon, remove the bubbles from the pot and pour into your coffee cup. You may need to repeat this step again.
- After a few minutes, you will see white foam forming. Do not stir!
- Once the coffee is about to start boiling, remove it from the heat immediately. Otherwise, you will have a very bitter drink! This may take 7 to 10 minutes. The key is to be patient and not increase the heat!
- Finally, serve into the coffee cup with the bubbles. Let rest for a few minutes so that the coffee particles sink to the bottom.
Pro Tips:
Traditionally Turkish Coffee is prepared in a cezve. A cezve is a traditional Turkish pot, usually made of copper or brass. It features a long handle with a custom pouring lip, that is design specifically for Turkish Coffee.
We recommend you prepare this coffee drink using a cezve! If you are a coffee fanatic, this will be a good investment. A good cezve will last forever and is not too expensive!
Cezves are also quite beautiful and are conversation starters!
We really like this cezve by Silk Road Trade. It is built from premium materials by Turkish craftsmen with many years of experience. It also comes in different sizes, and has beautiful carvings and a long wooden handle!
13. Affogato
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Espresso | 1 oz |
| Vanilla Ice Cream | 1 scoop |
SUMMARY
Even though this might sound like one of those crazy TikTok Starbucks drinks, it's actually quite simple! Affogato is espresso coffee with vanilla ice cream.
This is a match made in heaven, for those of us who love ice cream and can’t get enough coffee! It is simple and delicious!
Just like the delicious Coffee Boba drink that we love, this type of coffee drink is more like a dessert!
Or a very tasty snack in a hot summer day! If you want, you could also have it as a main course…we are not going to stop you!
To prepare an affogato, put a scoop of vanilla ice cream into a tumbler glass, and then pour an espresso shot on top. And that’s it!
Pro Tips:
Traditionally, vanilla ice cream is used. But there are many affogato variations that use different ice cream flavors and different ingredients!
We tried a heavenly salted caramel affogato that we must share with you! It’s very simple to make. In addition to the espresso shot, add 2 tbsp of salted caramel!
We highly recommend using Torani’s!
Let us know how you like it!
RELATED: If you are a fan of sweet caffeinated drinks, then you should check out this article for the best bubble tea kits to buy online!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Different Types of Coffee Drinks
What is a good substitute for milk if I’m vegan or lactose intolerant?
Try oat milk! Oat milk goes really well with any type of coffee drink. It is surprisingly creamy, full-bodied and rich! Plus it’s one of the healthiest alternatives out there with a low fat content and plenty of fiber!
What type of coffee bean should I use?
The most popular types of coffee beans are the Robusta and Arabica. Arabica beans are of higher quality, with more complex flavors and a sweeter tone. However, they are more expensive than Robusta beans.
This comes with a tradeoff though. Robusta beans have about twice as much caffeine! So if your goal is to wake up from the Monday morning slumber, use Robusta beans!
Regardless of which type of beans you choose, use freshly ground beans for best results.
Should I use boiling water for my coffee drinks?
No, if you use boiling water, coffee will extract poorly and leave a bitter taste. The optimal temperature for most kinds of coffee drinks is 205 degrees Fahrenheit or 96 degrees Celsius.
Wrapping Up
We hope you have enjoyed this guide! Let us know what kind of coffee drink is your favorite!
Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list, we will be updating this page to hopefully one day list many more!
So let us know if you would like us to add a drink you like to read about!
And if you like drinking tea as well, then you must check out our article about the different types of teas you can have...
Happy Tasting!
