The Most Popular Coffee Drinks, Explained

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Latte Macchiato

Traditional macchiatos are nothing like the caramel-laden versions seen at Starbucks or other coffee chains. The drink also originated in Italy, and it's nothing more than a teaspoon or two of milk froth splashed onto a shot of espresso. Today, baristas often serve macchiato with steamed milk to make it more palatable. Don't confuse it with the latte macchiato (pictured), which usually comes in a larger glass and has a more complex layered appearance. It is mostly composed of steamed milk  that's "stained" with espresso (1/2 shot), which is what you should taste on your first sip.