What is a Cortado?

By Robert Parsons May 6, 2021

If you are coffee-obsessed like us, you probably drink more than one cup of joe every day. If you feel like spicing it up in your daily coffee routine, consider a cortado. You’ve probably seen them at your local café but found yourself asking, “What is a cortado?”.

Read this guide to learn everything there is to know about this beverage, including how to make one.

A History of the Cortado 

What’s a cortado? A cortado is a small-sized, hot beverage that contains an equal amount of espresso and milk. It was created in Spain’s Basque Country before making its way to nearby countries and eventually the United States. 

The term “cortado” comes from the word “cortar.” In Spanish, this is the verb for “to cut.” It was given this name because the milk cuts through the espresso. This, in turn, tones down the acidity of the espresso while retaining the delicious flavor. 

The milk is steamed and does not have much froth or foam-like macchiatos or cappuccinos. The little to no foam is a staple in most Spanish drinks and results in a powerful combination of strong espresso with creamy milk. 

If you haven’t tried one already, now is the time to do so!

How to Make a Cortado 

Cortado coffee is very popular because of how easy it is to make. It is made in small size, and altering the drink’s size is out of the question unless you want a sugar rush followed by a sugar crash! 

Cortados are well-known for their small size and balanced combo of milk and espresso. To make one, you’ll need an espresso machine and your preferred milk of choice. Once you have gathered these two items, follow these five steps: 

Step 1: Pull 2 Shots of Espresso

Grind, measure, and tamp your espresso grounds. Place your grounds into the filter within the espresso machine. Extract a total of two shots of espresso into a small cup with at least a 4-ounce capacity. And, don’t be too concerned when it comes to presentation. They can be served in normal 5 to 7-ounce cups.

Step 2: Steam Milk 

For this step, you can use any milk of choice. Froth 4 ounces of milk lightly. While you’re frothing four, you’ll actually only use two. It’s not very easy to steam only two ounces of milk, and you run the risk of burning it. For this reason, froth 4 ounces, but only use two.

What type of milk should you use? We usually use whole milk, but almond, oak, or coconut is great too! You may have to experiment with different types to find the one best suited for your palette.  

Pro Tip: Slowly pour the milk on your espresso. Make sure the ratio of milk to espresso is 1:1. 

Step 3: Enjoy! 

Voila! Your cortado is ready to enjoy! 

These beverages are meant to be sipped slowly since the caffeine content is so strong. Sometimes it is even nice to have a glass of water on the side to cleanse your palate when necessary. 

Cortado Variations 

If you walk into a coffee shop and order a cafe cortado, the barista may ask you to describe your drink. This is because this beverage is interpreted differently in different places. 

For instance, a traditional cortado is made from an equal ratio of steamed milk and espresso. Some cafes may use double shots of espresso and a little bit of steamed milk. This is equivalent to an espresso macchiato or a flat white. 

Remember that the traditional way to make a cortado is 1: espresso and steamed milk. Technically, it can be any size as long as you maintain the same ratio. Some coffee shops may want to create their own version of the cortado, but if you want a traditional one, just ask them for a cortado with an equal amount of milk and espresso. 

Better yet – make it yourself in the comfort of your own home! It’s so easy to make and only requires two ingredients. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Let’s top this piece off with some FAQs you may have.

Is a cortado sweet?

Traditionally, a cortado is not sweet. There isn’t any sugar; however, you can add sugar at the end if you’d like. 

Are cortados stronger than macchiatos? 

Not at all. Both drinks have two shots of espresso, so they’re the same strength. A cortado, however, typically has an ounce more of milk than a macchiato. Macchiatos are espresso dominant, so it may feel stronger, but they’re not.

How do you pronounce cortado? 

Good question! Because it is a Spanish word, it is pronounced COR-TA-DOH. 

Final Thoughts 

Now that you know everything there is to know about making a delicious cup of a cortado go out there and make one yourself! You may be curious to try it or are trying to impress some guests. Either way neither you, nor your guests will be disappointed. 

Enjoy your bold cortado, and as usual, happy caffeinating!