Latte in a cup on a table.

You Need To Try These 13 Italian Coffees At Least Once

NEWS

By KRISTIN MAGALDI

Hands holding a cup of espresso and a saucer.

1. Espresso

Espresso, simply known as "caffè" in Italy because it's the most common type of coffee ordered, is the foundational ingredient in a majority of Italian coffee varieties.
A cup of espresso on a saucer with a macaroon.
When making espresso at home, use 1 ½ tbsp of coffee per 5 ½ fl oz water. The result will be about an ounce worth of coffee that can be enjoyed with a bit of sugar.
Hand holding a cup of cappuccino.

2. Cappuccino

If you enjoy a bit of milk with your coffee, a cappuccino’s more balanced flavor profile accompanied by soft, foamed milk might just be for you.
Frothed milk being added to a cup.
To make cappuccino at home, brew espresso in your preferred method, then add equal parts steamed milk and frothed milk to your cup. Top it with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
A cup of caffè lungo.

3. Caffè Lungo

Caffè lungo, which means "long shot," is like an espresso but bigger. Instead of making espresso in a 1:2 ratio of coffee beans to hot water, use a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio.
Espresso shot in glass.
A caffè lungo will ensure you get a more developed flavor profile with the greater dilution of the coffee beans, magnifying the inherent notes of the roast.
Barista crafting a latte in a white mug.

4. Caffè Latte

An Italian caffè latte has a 2:1 ratio of milk to coffee, with steamed milk instead of frothed milk, which results in a creamier, less concentrated flavor.
Milk in a French press.
On the other hand, lattes we know in the U.S. have a 1:2 ratio of coffee to milk, with the milk being both steamed and frothed for a fluffier consistency.
Shakerato in a cocktail glass.

5. Shakerato

A streamlined and elegant take on the iced coffee that you can often find served in a cocktail glass in Italy is the shakerato, a wonderful summer treat.
Man shaking a cocktail shaker.
To make one at home, add a shot of espresso, ice, and a bit of sugar to taste to a cocktail shaker and shake it up until it gets frothy. Pour it into a cup or a martini glass.