Coffee Drinks – The Difference Between the Overwhelming Number Available

When going to a coffee shop it can be overwhelming how many different types of coffee drinks are available. Not to mention the fact that everyone is usually in a rush and your hipster barista is probably the last person who wants to explain all the different drinks to you.

Most coffee drinks will be made slightly differently depending on where you are and who is making it. In General this list should give you an idea of what to expect when ordering your caffeinated beverage of choice.

Espresso is a very strong black coffee made by forcing hot pressurized water through dark-roast coffee beans in an espresso machine. Espresso should have a thick, golden-brown foam on the top. It is the used in a wide variety of specialty coffee drinks, such as the cappuccino, latte and americano. Espresso is usually drunk either on its own (black) or with a small amount of sugar.

A short espresso means that it has less water and is more concentrated, and a long espresso means more water is used and the drink will not be as strong. An espresso macchiato has a small amount of steamed milk added to the top. An espresso with whipped cream toping is called an espresso con panna.

A Hammerhead is made from a shot of espresso in a regular-sized coffee cup, which is then filled with regular drip coffee. Sometimes this drink is known as a Shot in the Dark.

A Cappuccino combines equal parts espresso, steamed milk and milk froth and iusually has a bit of unsweetened cocoa powder or grated dark chocolate sprinkled on the top. Iced cappuccino are great in hot weather, and a skinny cappuccino is made with skim or nonfat milk. A Cafe Breva is a cappuccino made with half and half instead of whole milk. The theory is that this combo gives a richer, creamier flavor. A Dry Cappuccino is a regular cappuccino, only with a smaller amount of foam, and no steamed milk at all.

An Americano is a single shot of espresso which is then added to a cup of hot water that results in a creamy, rich coffee.The name is rumored to have started as a bit of an insult to Americans, who could not drink espresso straight. It is usually drunk with milk and/or sugar.

A Caffe Latte is a one part espresso mixed with three parts of steamed milk. It has less foam than a cappuccino. A Caf au Lait is similar to a caffe latte except that it is made with equal parts brewed coffee (instead of espresso) and steamed milk.

A Caf Mocha (Mochachino) is a cappuccino or a caffe latte with chocolate syrup or powder added to the steamed milk. There are wide variations in exactly how this is prepared. It is usually topped with cocoa powder and sometimes whipped cream.

A Steamer is steamed milk that has been flavored with syrup, served alone without espresso.

Irish coffee is made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and topped with whipped cream.

Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee and water together to form a thick coffee mix in what’s known as an Ibrik, an open, brass or copper pot with a long handle. It is then poured, unfiltered, into tiny cups. The coffee is then left to settle for a while before serving, with sugar and spices often added to the cup.

A Frappe is originally a cold espresso but has more recently been prepared by mixing coffee with sugar, water and ice. The drnk is placed in a tall glass with ice, and milk if you like, turning it into a big coffee milkshake.