A Complete Guide to Coffee Drinks: From Espresso to Latte

Types of Coffee Drinks are everywhere on café menus. They usually include a wide range of options-dozens of hot and cold drinks, each with its own name, unique ingredients, and distinctive flavor. You can enjoy Blended Coffee in its simplest form, like an espresso, or in its most elaborate form, such as a Chemex or V60. But behind every cup of specialty coffee and every type of coffee drink lies a whole world of science, art, and technique. Have you ever wondered why the espresso in some coffee shops tastes rich and creamy, while in others it seems bitter and unbalanced?

Coffee is an experience. From the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans to the velvety foam on a cappuccino, everything comes down to details. In this article, we’ll explore everything from the basic principles of brewing espresso to professional techniques for enhancing the taste of coffee. For a professional coffee experience at home or in your café, you can use high-quality coffee brands for cafees, such as roasted beans and ready-made blends like Diamante Blended Coffee.

The Basic Rules of Making Espresso: The Simplest Form of Coffee!

If we want to learn how to make different coffee drinks, it is better to start with the rules and principles of the simplest type, which is espresso. Espresso coffee is the base of many popular drinks such as latte, cappuccino, and Americano.

But even this simple drink, if not prepared correctly, can turn out too bitter, weak, or flavorless.

Next, we’ll look at how to prepare different types of coffee drinks.

What You Need to Make Espresso:

• Espresso Machine: Can be manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic.
• Coffee Grinder: Beans should be ground finer than for filter coffee, but not completely powdered.
• Portafilter and Tamper: For evenly distributing and compressing the coffee in the filter.
• Quality Water: Water has a big impact on the final taste of espresso; it’s best to use water without extra minerals.
• Suitable Coffee Beans: Dark roast is recommended for espresso.

Steps to Make a Shot of Espresso:

1. Grind the Coffee: Grind about 18–20 grams of coffee for a double shot.
2. Distribute and Tamp: Evenly distribute the coffee in the portafilter, then compress it with a tamper.
3. Extraction: Lock the portafilter into the machine and start the shot. The ideal extraction time is between 20 and 30 seconds.
4. Check the Quality: The crema on the espresso should be thick and uniform-not too dark and not too light.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Different Coffee Drinks

Now that we’ve learned the basic principles of making espresso, let’s explore some popular coffee drinks.

Ristretto

A short, concentrated shot of espresso with a stronger and richer flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso (with less water than usual)

Steps:

1. Place the same amount of espresso coffee (about 18–20 grams) in the portafilter.
2. Use a tamper to evenly compress and level the coffee.
3. Start the espresso machine but stop the extraction earlier than usual (about 15–20 seconds).
4. You’ll get a short, concentrated shot with a flavor richer than regular espresso.

Lungo

A milder and slightly more diluted espresso, suitable for those who don’t prefer the strong taste of espresso.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• More water than a regular espresso (about 60–80 ml)

Steps:

1. Place the espresso coffee in the portafilter and tamp it.
2. Start the machine and allow the extraction to last longer (about 40–50 seconds).
3. The resulting drink has a milder flavor but still retains its strength.

Espresso Macchiato

An espresso with just a little foamed milk, perfect for those who want the pure espresso taste with a touch of creamy milk.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• 1 tablespoon of milk foam

Steps:

1. Pour the espresso into a small cup.
2. Steam a small amount of milk to create soft, velvety foam.
3. Place a spoonful of the milk foam on top of the espresso.

Latte Macchiato

Unlike a macchiato, this drink contains more milk, and espresso is poured into it, not the other way around.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• 200 ml steamed milk
• A thin layer of milk foam

Steps:

1. Steam the milk until soft and slightly foamy.
2. Pour the milk into a tall glass.
3. Slowly pour the espresso shot over the milk so the layers remain separated.
4. Top with a little milk foam.

Flat White

A drink similar to a latte, but with less milk and a creamier texture.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso (or ristretto for a stronger flavor)
• 120 ml steamed milk with microfoam texture

Steps:

1. Prepare the espresso.
2. Steam the milk until it has a smooth, creamy texture without too much foam.
3. Gently pour the milk into the espresso.

Mocha

A delightful combination of espresso and chocolate, perfect for those who enjoy sweet flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup or powder
• 150 ml steamed milk
• Whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Steps:

1. Put the chocolate in a cup and pour the espresso shot over it.
2. Stir until the chocolate is completely dissolved.
3. Add the steamed milk.
4. Optionally, garnish with whipped cream and cocoa powder.

Affogato

A unique coffee dessert that combines delightful warmth and chill.

Ingredients:

• 1 hot espresso shot
• 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream

Steps:

1. Place the ice cream in a glass or cup.
2. Pour the hot espresso shot over the ice cream.
3. Enjoy immediately and savor the mix of hot and cold flavors!

Techniques to Make Your Coffee Taste Better!

If you follow these tips, you can greatly improve the quality of your coffee drinks:

• Use Fresh Beans: Old coffee loses its aroma and flavor. The best time to use it is between 7 and 14 days after roasting.
• Grind Fresh: Grind the coffee just before brewing to preserve its aroma.
• Use Suitable Water: Hard water or water with high mineral content can ruin the taste of coffee.
• Ideal Temperature: Water should not be boiling; 90–96°C (194–205°F) is ideal.
• Proper Tamping: Do not compress the coffee too much; over-tamping slows water flow and leads to over-extraction.
• Correct Coffee-to-Water Ratio: Changing the ratio affects the taste and strength of your coffee.

Make Any Type of Coffee You Love!

Take your time preparing all kinds of coffee drinks, experiment, read about them, and try to get advice from professionals! But never stop learning, because the world of coffee is endless. Every day brings new ways to brew better and enjoy more delicious flavors. So grab your cup of coffee and continue learning on this flavorful and aromatic journey!

Having access to high-quality coffee grounds during your learning journey will help you enjoy your coffee even more. To purchase premium coffee grounds, visit our online store, Diamante Coffee. For those looking to enjoy high-quality coffee at home, Diamante Coffee’s online store offers premium coffee beans and blends for every taste.