What is a cortado? Espresso, milk, ratio, and size
Jack Donnell
At a glance
A cortado is a small espresso-and-milk drink. Understand the usual proportions, milk texture, and the questions to ask when ordering.
A cortado is a small espresso drink mixed with steamed milk, commonly in roughly equal amounts. The milk softens the espresso's intensity while keeping coffee at the center of the cup. It usually has a thin layer of fine foam rather than a tall, airy cap.
The ratio is a useful guide, not a universal cafe specification. Before ordering, ask how many espresso shots the shop uses and how large its cortado is.
What is in a cortado?
The essential ingredients are espresso and steamed milk. Syrup, whipped cream, and chocolate are optional customizations rather than part of the basic definition. Nespresso's cortado description uses equal parts coffee and milk.
As an illustration, 40 mL of espresso plus 40 mL of steamed milk makes a small drink of about 80 mL before allowing for foam. This is a way to understand the proportions; your cafe may use a different espresso recipe. A double shot does not have one fixed volume everywhere.
Milk texture matters as much as quantity. Fine bubbles blend into the drink; a large spoonful of stiff foam changes its texture and apparent size. If you are making one at home, start with espresso you already enjoy, then add a similar volume of gently textured milk.
Cortado vs latte vs macchiato
| Drink | Typical approach | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Cortado | Espresso with a similar amount of steamed milk | The shop's cup size and shot count |
| Latte | Espresso with a larger proportion of milk | Size, milk choice, and any syrup |
| Espresso macchiato | Espresso marked with a small amount of milk or foam | Whether the menu means a traditional espresso macchiato |
See our guides to a latte and a macchiato for the individual drinks.
How to order a cortado
Ask for a cortado and specify your milk if you want a substitution. If you are comparing menus, ask for the espresso-to-milk proportions rather than relying only on the drink name. For example: “Is yours approximately equal parts espresso and milk?”
For home brewing, record the espresso recipe and milk amount separately. If a cup tastes too milky, reduce the milk next time while leaving the espresso unchanged. That gives you a clearer comparison than changing the beans, shot, and milk together.
Common cortado questions
Is a cortado sweet?
The basic drink does not require added sugar. Espresso, milk, and any optional syrup determine its flavor.
Is a cortado the same as a small latte?
The ingredients overlap, but the proportions usually differ. A cortado generally keeps espresso more prominent through a smaller milk addition.
Can a cortado be iced?
A cafe may offer an iced interpretation. Ask about its proportions because ice, cold milk, and cup size can produce a different balance from the hot drink.
For a closer look at the milk proportions, read cortado vs macchiato. If the menu says breve, our breve coffee guide explains the half-and-half substitution.