Cortado – A Beautiful Mess

If you are looking for a perfectly balanced and smooth coffee experience, look no further than the cortado!

This delicious espresso-based beverage originated in Spain and has gained popularity around the world for its simplicity and exquisite taste.

And if you want to find more classic coffee-based drink recipes, among others, check out our entire Drinks archive.

The word “cortado” comes from the Spanish verb “cortar,” which means “to cut.” The name is derived from the process of “cutting” the espresso’s acidity by adding a small amount of milk.

I like to think of a cortado as a mini latte. It’s not, as a cortado is equal parts espresso and steamed milk, and a latte has more steamed milk and foam. But, I do find they taste similar, so if you’ve never had one just imagine a mini latte. 🙂

Related: Next up, learn to make the prefect Latte, Cappuccino, Affogato, or Macchiato.

Ingredients

• espresso
• milk – or a milk alternative

If you want to sweeten your cortado, I would recommend simple syrup or honey.

Directions

Begin by brewing a shot of espresso. If you have an espresso machine, ensure that your equipment is clean, and the coffee grounds are fresh and finely ground.

Take the milk and pour it into a pitcher or a small metal container suitable for frothing. Heat the milk to around 140°F (60°C). Once heated, froth the milk using a milk frother or a steam wand until you achieve a velvety microfoam texture.

Gently pour the freshly brewed espresso into your cup, filling it up to about 1/3 or 1/2 of the cup. The remaining space will be filled with milk. Remember, a cortado is not meant to be a large drink; it’s all about balance and taste.

Last, carefully pour the frothed milk into the cup, allowing it to mix with the espresso. The milk should be warmed but not too hot, and the microfoam will create a smooth, creamy texture on top of the espresso.

Our Favorite Home Espresso Makers

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

• Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. We’ve used this machine almost every day since we got it seven months ago and we love it! It comes in three colors.
• Stovetop Espresso – This is the cheapest way to make espresso at home. It’s more labor intensive and you will also need a way to grind your beans for best results. But this is a classic method that works great when done well.
• Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
• Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.

The cortado is a fantastic choice for coffee enthusiasts who prefer a milder espresso-based drink. Its simplicity allows the true essence of coffee to shine while providing a creamy texture and a delightful flavor profile. Happy brewing!