Caffe Latte
A Caffe Latte is a single shot of espresso with steamed milk. There is not frothed milk in this drink. A Caffe Latte should have approximately a 3:1 ratio of milk to coffee. Note: ordering a Latte in an Italian restaurant may get you a glass of milk so be sure to order Caffe Latte.
Cafe au Lait
A Cafe au Lait is similar to a Caffe Latte except it is generally made with brewed coffee instead of espresso in a ratio of 1:1 milk to coffee with sugar added to taste.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is traditionally equal parts espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk. Many coffee shops will add much more milk than this in the belief that bigger is better.
Americano
An Americano is a single shot of espresso with 6 to 8 ounces of hot water added. This term was originally devised as a sort of insult to Americans who wanted their espresso diluted.
Hammerhead aka A Shot in the Dark
A hammerhead is a shot of espresso in a coffee cup that is then filled with drip coffee.
This may very well be the drink with the most distinct names. It seems that every espresso bar insists on giving it a new name. Check out a few of the alternate names.
This is probably one of those love it or hate it drinks. On one side it to me seems like a novelty drink in the sense of give me all the caffeine I can get. But at the same time if the espresso is made properly and the coffee is chosen wisely it can be an exceptional drink and unlike straight shots it's not gone in a couple of sips. Personally I love it. If you have the option of choosing the coffee go with something roasted a little lighter and on the acidy side. The combinations of the caramelized sugars and depth of the espresso plus the high notes of the coffee make an excellent beverage. Daniel
Mocha
This is usually a Cappuccino or a Caffe Latte with chocolate syrup added. This term actually has very little meaning beyond chocolate being involved so you might want to ask what it is in a given coffee house before you order one.
Espresso Con Panna
This is a shot with whipped cream.
Double
Two shots of espresso with the same amount of all other ingredients.
Just to make things confusing some shops will treat a double as double everything keeping the proportions the same.
Ristretto
This is a restricted shot. Less water is allowed to come through the coffee grounds but the shot should take the same amount of time as a normal pull. This is approximately a .75 ounce pull.
Lungo
This is an extra long pull allowing approximately twice as much water through the same amount of coffee as normally used for a single shot. This will be somewhat over extracted. It's about a 2-3 ounce shot.
Cafe Macchiato
Cafe Macchiato is a shot of espresso (served in a small espresso cup) topped off with steamed milk (of a velvety smooth texture) - the ratio of cafe/latte is approximately 80/20. Most Italians drop a teaspoon of sugar in this elixir. Put another way this is a serving of espresso with a small dollop of foam on top.
Cafe Breva
A Cafe Breva is essentially a cappuccino made with half&half instead of whole milk. This should have a very rich creamy flavor. Half&half is a bit of a pain to foam, but it most definitely can be done.
Dry
A dry cappuccino generally refers to a drink with a small amount of foam and no steamed milk.
