Cortado Recipe: How To Make This Amazing Espresso-based Drink

CORTADO RECIPE: HOW TO MAKE THIS DRINK (FAST & EASY)

Here’s my take on the simple cortado recipe. Now you can enjoy your coffee Italian-style.

Italians are famously acknowledged for their contributions to the world of coffee drinks, but the Spanish have their own beautiful and balanced coffee beverage: the cortado. It’s still growing in popularity, so you might not find it at every café, but that’s why we’re here – to make it for ourselves!

How Is A Cortado Made?

A classic cortado features equal parts espresso and steamed milk served in a small glass. Originating in the Basque region of Spain, the name comes from the Spanish word “cortar,” meaning “to cut,” because the espresso is cut with an equal amount of milk (1).

Ingredients and Equipment

• 18 grams coffee beans
• 2 ounces whole milk
• Burr coffee grinder
• Espresso machine with a steam wand
• 4 or 5-ounce mug or Gibraltar glass

AT A GLANCE

BREW TIME

6 minutes

YIELD

1 cup

What is the ratio for a cortado?

The ratio for a cortado is 1:1 espresso to steamed milk – half milk, half espresso. Traditionally, the milk is only lightly steamed, so it is warm and silky smooth but not frothy or foamy.

Is a cortado 1 or 2 shots?

Most coffee shops brew a 2-ounce double shot of espresso to make a cortado, which is then topped with 2 ounces of steamed milk to yield a 4-ounce drink. Some people, including Starbucks UK, prefer to use ristretto rather than espresso shots for a more intense flavor (2).

Watch Steven prepare and compare all the most popular espresso drinks, including the cortado, in this video:

Step-By-Step Cortado Recipe

Cortados are simple drinks, requiring just two ingredients and three steps to make. That means the quality of your ingredients and equipment is paramount for this coffee recipe. The better your milk and espresso and the higher-end your espresso maker and grinder, the better your cortado.

Step 1: Pull A Double Shot Of Espresso

Use a burr grinder to finely grind 18 grams of coffee beans. Add the grounds to your espresso machine’s portafilter, distribute them evenly, and tamp firmly.

Pull a 2-ounce double shot into a warmed mug or Gibraltar glass.

Pro tip: You can use your favorite coffee beans for a cortado. Because of its relatively strong coffee flavor, I like to use beans with a nice natural sweetness – usually a medium or dark roast from South or Central America.

Step 2: Steam Milk

Use the steam wand on your espresso machine to lightly steam two ounces of whole milk. You want a creamy microfoam texture not an airy froth, so keep the wand tip submerged as the milk is steamed to avoid introducing large air bubbles.

It is challenging to steam such a small volume of milk. You may find it easier to steam 4 ounces at a time and make two drinks – or resign yourself to milk waste.

Pro tip: For a vegan cortado, I think oat milk is the best plant-based dairy substitute in terms of texture and flavor.

Step 3: Cut The Espresso With Milk

Pour the steamed milk into the espresso in a circular pattern to mix. Though a cortado is small, it can be decorated with simple latte art like hearts and tulips – if you have the barista skills.

Pro tip: For an iced cortado, pull your espresso shots over ice and replace the hot milk with cold milk aerated using a milk frother.

How are you supposed to drink a cortado?

A cortado is traditionally served unsweetened. It is meant to be sipped slowly and savored, often paired with a pastry and good conversation. If you’re interested in a sweet variation, you might enjoy the Cuban cortadito, which replaces the steamed milk with sweetened condensed milk.

Final Thoughts

The Spanish cortado is an espresso drink with a lovely balance between bold coffee flavor and sweet warm milk. With this simple recipe, you can enjoy a cortado at home anytime the craving hits!

FAQs

What is the difference between a cortado and a flat white?

The difference between a cortado and a flat white is the ratio of espresso to milk. A cortado has less milk than a flat white for the same amount of espresso, so the flat white has a creamier texture and milder flavor. A cappuccino has the same proportions as a flat white, but has more frothed milk for an airier texture.

Is a cortado the same as a macchiato?

No, a cortado is not the same as a macchiato. A macchiato is just an espresso dotted with a little bit of milk foam. It has a stronger coffee flavor and smaller volume than a cortado.

Is a cortado just a small latte?

No, a cortado isn’t just a small latte, though both are just espresso and milk. A latte has a much higher proportion of milk and a thin layer of foam on top. Compared to the cortado, it is sweeter and creamier with a milder espresso flavor.

References

1. Gomez, E.P. (2022, September 5). Misunderstood Coffee Drinks: The Cortado. Retrieved from https://www.baristamagazine.com/misunderstood-coffee-drinks-the-cortado/
2. Starbucks UK. (n.d.). Cortado. Retrieved from https://www.starbucks.co.uk/menu/product/2789