✔ Updated · milk, strength + caffeine compared
A macchiato and a latte use the same two ingredients, espresso and milk. The difference is how much milk goes in and in what order, which changes the size, strength and taste.
A traditional espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso “marked” with a spoonful of milk foam, so it is small, strong and bold. A caffe latte is espresso topped with plenty of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam, so it is larger, creamier and milder. A latte macchiato is the reverse of a latte: steamed milk first, with espresso poured on top in layers.
- Milk: an espresso macchiato has a dash of foam; a latte has 6 to 10 ounces or more of steamed milk.
- Size: a macchiato is about 2 to 3 ounces; a latte is usually 8 to 20 ounces.
- Strength: a macchiato tastes much stronger, though the caffeine depends only on the number of shots.
- Order: a latte is espresso first, then milk; a latte macchiato is milk first, then espresso.
Macchiato vs Latte at a Glance
| Espresso macchiato | Latte macchiato | Caffe latte | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Espresso marked with a little milk foam | Steamed milk marked with espresso | Espresso with lots of steamed milk |
| Build order | Espresso, then a spoonful of foam | Steamed milk, then espresso poured on top | Espresso, then steamed milk and a thin foam layer |
| Espresso to milk | Mostly espresso | Mostly milk | About 1 part espresso to 3 or more parts milk |
| Typical size | 2 to 3 oz, in a demitasse cup | 8 to 12 oz, in a tall glass | 8 to 20 oz, in a cup or mug |
| Look | Dark espresso with a white dot of foam | Distinct white, tan and foam layers | Even light brown, often with latte art |
| Taste | Bold, intense, slightly softened | Milky, with a stronger first sip of coffee | Smooth, creamy and mild |
| Calories (whole or 2% milk, unsweetened) | About 10 to 20 | About 120 to 180 | About 120 to 220 |
| Caffeine | About 63 mg per shot | About 63 mg per shot | About 63 mg per shot; most large lattes have 2 shots |
What Is a Macchiato?
Macchiato is Italian for “stained” or “marked.” A traditional espresso macchiato (caffe macchiato) is a single or double shot of espresso with a small spoonful of foamed milk on top. It takes the edge off the espresso without turning it into a milky drink. For a richer drink made with half-and-half, try our Irish cream breve.
In many US coffee shops, “macchiato” means something else: a large, sweet, layered drink like a caramel macchiato, which is steamed milk and vanilla syrup with espresso poured on top and a caramel drizzle. That drink is closer to a flavored latte macchiato. Make it at home with this copycat Starbucks caramel macchiato.
What Is a Latte?
A caffe latte, or simply latte, is one or two shots of espresso topped with a generous pour of steamed milk and finished with a thin layer of microfoam, about a quarter inch. It is the mildest and creamiest of the classic espresso drinks.
Lattes are also the base for flavored drinks such as a vanilla latte, pumpkin spice latte or cinnamon dolce latte.
Latte Macchiato vs Caffe Latte
These two use almost the same ingredients, so they are often confused. A caffe latte starts with espresso and adds milk, so the two blend into one even color. A latte macchiato starts with a glass of steamed milk and adds espresso slowly on top, so the coffee “marks” the milk and settles into layers.
A latte macchiato usually has a thicker foam cap, is served in a tall glass and tastes a little more of coffee on the first sip, then milkier as you drink. A caffe latte tastes the same from first sip to last.
Which Is Stronger?
An espresso macchiato tastes much stronger because there is so little milk to dilute the espresso. In actual caffeine, though, a drink is only as strong as its shots: about 63 mg of caffeine per 1-ounce shot of espresso. A double-shot latte has more caffeine than a single-shot macchiato, even though it tastes milder.
How to Make Each at Home
- Espresso macchiato: pull 1 or 2 shots of espresso into a small cup. Froth a little milk and spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of foam onto the center.
- Caffe latte: pull 1 or 2 shots into a mug. Steam 6 to 10 ounces of milk to about 140 to 150°F, pour it in, holding back the foam, then spoon a thin layer of foam on top.
- Latte macchiato: steam and froth 8 ounces of milk, pour it into a tall glass and let it settle for 30 seconds. Pour 1 or 2 shots of espresso slowly through the foam so it forms a middle layer.
- No espresso machine: use 2 ounces of very strong coffee from a moka pot or AeroPress, and froth milk with a handheld frother or by shaking warm milk in a lidded jar.
Which Should You Order?
Order an espresso macchiato if you like espresso but want it slightly softer, or want a quick, small, low-calorie coffee. Order a latte if you want a large, creamy, mild drink, or one with flavored syrup. Order a latte macchiato if you like a latte but want layers and a bigger hit of coffee up front.
Can You Substitute One for the Other?
Yes, by changing the milk. Add more steamed milk to an espresso macchiato and it becomes a small latte, or a cortado at equal parts. Order a latte “short” with extra foam for something closer to a macchiato. For the foam-heavy middle ground, see cappuccino vs latte.
More Coffee Comparisons
- Cappuccino vs latte
- Black coffee vs espresso
- Copycat caramel macchiato
- Copycat chai tea latte
- Copycat iced matcha latte
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a caffe latte and a latte macchiato?
A caffe latte is espresso with steamed milk added on top, so it blends into one even color. A latte macchiato is steamed milk with espresso poured in last, so it forms layers and tastes a little stronger on the first sip.
What is the difference between a cafe macchiato and a latte macchiato?
A cafe (espresso) macchiato is mostly espresso with a spoonful of milk foam, about 2 to 3 ounces. A latte macchiato is mostly steamed milk with a shot of espresso poured on top, served in a tall glass.
Is a macchiato stronger than a latte?
It tastes stronger because there is far less milk. Caffeine depends on the number of espresso shots, about 63 mg each, so a double-shot latte can have more caffeine than a single-shot macchiato.
Is a caramel macchiato a real macchiato?
Not in the traditional Italian sense. A caramel macchiato is steamed milk with vanilla syrup, espresso poured on top and caramel drizzle, which makes it closer to a sweet latte macchiato than to an espresso macchiato.
Should you stir a macchiato?
A traditional espresso macchiato is small enough to drink as served. For a layered latte macchiato or caramel macchiato, stirring is a matter of taste: stir for an even flavor, or sip through the layers for coffee first and milk after.
