31 Unique & Known Types of Coffee You Need to Know

Types of Coffee Drinks

Now, how do you take your coffee? Here are some of your options.

Black

Black coffee is all about enjoying coffee’s own rich flavor. Simply pour yourself a cup and don’t add any sweetener, milk or creamer that will alter its aroma.

Cappuccino

This much loved drink comes from a shot of espresso, mixed with steamed milk, which then gets a lot of micro-foam on top. The final touch is the chocolate sprinkles or powder on top. This drink you usually serve in a cup.

Galão

In the Galao you have a very milky drink and some may get confused between this and a latte. The aficionados know that this is a mix of espresso and foamed milk, but the Galao is the more milky of the two.

Mocha

A mocha is probably for the sweet tooth in your family because you’ll mix chocolate powder with a shot of espresso. As with many of the espresso drinks, you end off with steamed milk and foam on top. Instead of power you can also use chocolate syrup. For those who don’t appreciate the acidity of some coffee drinks, this is ideal.

Of course, don’t forget the chocolate sprinkles that come last.

Don’t confuse the Mocha with Moka coffee, which comes from a unique way of brewing coffee, using a moka pot.

Café au Lait

This coffee with its stylish name requires something different to make: scalded milk instead of steamed milk. Also, exchange espresso coffee for French press coffee if you want the real Café au Lait experience. The French press process results in different flavors than an espresso.

Mix 5 oz of your chosen coffee with the same amount of scalded milk. For this you’ll need a larger mug, up to 12 oz, to serve.

Irish

Here you get a mix of delectable flavors, thanks to a mix of your favorite coffee, cream and whiskey. Depending on your palate you can also add sugar.

Espresso and Types of Espresso

An espresso is the foundation of many of the coffee drinks we’ll define below. It’s +/- 1 oz of coffee, prepared in the way mentioned above.

Let’s see what you can create from this flavorful drink.

Types of Espresso

The Basic Options

Doppio

With a Doppio you have double the goodness of an Espresso. This is two shots of espresso for maximum caffeine and flavor!

Don’t let the words confuse you. In many restaurants you’ll hear this referred to as simply a double espresso. There’s no difference—it’s the same thing.

Lungo

Above we already mentioned the Ristretto, using minimal water. For the opposite effect you can use much more water than with an espresso, resulting in a Lungo.

Americano

This possibly got its origin from American soldiers who diluted their espresso when stationed in Italy. To enjoy this one, pour your cup 2/3 full of normal hot water. Now pour your espresso into that and taste!

Usually, 3 oz of water to 1 shot of expresso.

Long Black

The ‘long black’ is very similar to the Americano and usually also served in a glass mug. But, you’ll use more espresso—as much as two shots—and the result is a little more crema than the Americano above. You can use a 6 or 8 oz glass.

Red Eye & Black Eye

The Red Eye will wake you up faster in the morning than your regular cuppa. Take your drip brew coffee and add a shot of espresso to the mix. Take it one step further and turn this into a Black Eye by adding 2 espresso shots instead of 1.

The More Complicated Espresso Drinks

Guillermo

Fruit and coffee don’t usually go together, right? Wrong!

Cut two lime slices and pull your espresso over these. It’s unconventional, but the result is good enough that it became a popular drink. So, you have to try it at least once.

Cafe Cubano / Cuban Coffee

This drink has its name thanks to it originating in Cuba. You’ll need some demarera sugar—a raw, partially refined type of sugar—to add to your espresso.

Macchiato—The Traditional Version

We’ll start off with the classic Macchiato that is served in an espresso cup since it’s minimal liquid: only a shot of espresso and a maximum of 2 teaspoons of milk. Steam the milk before you dash it into the cup or use a dollop of milk foam which you drop in your espresso.  

Macchiato—the Starbucks Version

This is where it gets interesting and where it pays off to keep up to date with coffee-talk. A Macchiato you order at Starbucks will NOT be the same as the traditional one described above. Instead of a tiny amount of milk or cream, Starbucks will make a latte (see below) and it’s a very sweet coffee drink.

Cortado

There are many coffee options that are a mix of milk and espresso, only at different ratios. This is a very balanced option, mixing 1 oz milk (warm) with your espresso shot. On top, you’ll have about a 1cm foam layer.

Many people don’t serve this piping hot, enabling you to drink it quickly without burning your tongue.

Latte

With a Latte your espresso is turned into a sweeter alternative because you’ll add steamed milk to the mix. Don’t forget the micro-foam on top. It’s different from a regular cappuccino because you’ll use less foam, skip the chocolate, and often serve it in a tumbler glass.

Did you know this is one of the most popular coffee options in the world? For something different, you can add flavored shots.

Flat White

For a flat white coffee drink, take a cup, pour in espresso, and then add steamed milk. The ‘flat’ comes from the fact that you don’t add any foam or chocolate which is common for its cousin the cappuccino. The trick here is to use the liquid at the bottom of your steamed milk, not the froth on top.

Breve

For a Breve you’ll need half and half, not ordinary cream or milk. With this drink, you’ll enjoy a much creamier drink than with many others since it’s a total of three ounces half and a half to your one shot of espresso. Also, steam the half and half before you pour it on top. Lastly, don’t forget the foam layer.

Cafe Bombon

Here’s another option if you have a sweet tooth: a mix of sweetened condensed milk and your coffee. You’ll use equal parts of each, but the trick is the technique:

• Pour in your espresso coffee
• Slowly pour in the condensed milk
• A thick layer of this milk will be at the bottom of the cup

Espresso Con Panna

With espresso coffees you can expect almost anything and why not add whipped cream? In an Espresso Con Panna, you’ll pour 2 shots of espresso into a cup and then layer the cream on top. Rich and luxurious!

Freddo Cappuccino

Below you’ll find out even more about cold coffees, but this is specifically espresso which you will chill by using ice. Then you shake up some milk until there’s some foam, and then you pour it over the espresso.

Affogato

Personally, I think this one can be a drink or a dessert!

For an Affogato you dish a scoop of ice cream into a glass. Now pour your espresso over the ice cream. You can use a single or double shot of coffee, depending on how strong you like this menu item; and how much caffeine you want.  

Red Tie

This drink ‘ties’ together with two different beverages: tea and coffee!

The name is also reminiscent of its origin because it’s a drink from Thailand.

For the Red Tie you’ll mix:

• Black tea
• Orange blossom water
• Tamarind, crushed
• Condensed milk
• Star anise
• Espresso shot
• Sugar

You can imagine you’re in for a sweet treat!

Something Different

Caffe Corretto

Here’s another drink that requires some alcohol like the Irish coffee above. Only, this is often enjoyed in the morning too.

You’ll mix your espresso with an equal part of brandy. Some people prefer grappa.

Espresso Martini

You’ll enjoy this one in a Martini glass, but the ingredients are unique to what you’ll usually expect at the bar:

• Espresso shot
• Vodka
• Coffee flavored liqueur
• Syrup
• Ice

Shake it together—don’t stir—and strain it all into your glass.

Types of Iced Coffee

Iced Coffee

Below you’ll find multiple options that fall into the iced coffee category. However, a basic iced coffee is a mixture of 2 oz of coffee, ice (about 4 oz) and up to 6 oz of either milk—for a creamier version—or water.

Of course, this must be served in a bigger glass than usual and you can add flavored syrup for a unique taste experience.

Another approach is to make coffee using a hot brew method. Then, let it cool down before it’s served. This version therefore has to be prepared in advance.

Iced Espresso

Here’s another take on the drink mentioned above, but tor the real iced espresso experience is simply placing your shot of coffee in the freezer to cool down. For hot days, this makes a refreshing drink and the caffeine will give you a boost too.

Frappuccino

The Frappuccino name is so common, you may not be aware that this is a line of coffees specifically trademarked by Starbucks. There are many varieties, thanks to adding different ingredients and syrups. The foundation is a coffee or crème base that you’ll blend with ice.

Nitro

The popularity of the coffee industry has resulted in all types of innovative gadgets. Now, you can get a dispensing system that will infuse your coffee with nitrogen. This gives you a drink that tastes and feels luxurious thanks to its thick creaminess.

The result: a nitro coffee.

Mazagran

In its simplest form, the Mazagran is a Portuguese coffee that has been sweetened. It originated in French Algeria years ago, but in 2020 you’ll now also find alternative options. In Austria you’ll find a Mazagran that also contains rum and the locals add ice. In other countries you’ll find a Mazagran containing lemon and sugar.