Ever stood in front of a café menu, staring at words like macchiato, flat white, and lungo, secretly wondering what the difference actually is? You're not alone. Most of these drinks share the same two ingredients — espresso and milk — but the ratio, temperature, and order they're poured in completely change the experience.
This guide breaks down 18 of the most popular coffee drinks served in cafés around the world, with a one-line description for each so you know exactly what to order next time.
Are These Coffee Drinks Available Worldwide?
Yes — almost all of them are international staples. Most originate from Italy (espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato), France (café au lait), Australia and New Zealand (flat white), or the modern specialty coffee scene (iced americano, popularized in South Korea). The only two names you might not see on a café menu are Cappuccino+ and Latte Macchiato+, which are branded preset names on automatic espresso machines — in a café, you'd simply order a large cappuccino or large latte macchiato instead.
Quick Categories
To make the list easier to scan, here are the 18 drinks grouped by style:
- Black coffee (no milk): Espresso, Coffee, Americano, Ristretto, Lungo
- Milk-based coffee: Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato, Flat White, Café Latte, Café au Lait, Mocha, White Coffee, Cappuccino+, Latte Macchiato+
- Iced coffee drinks: Iced Coffee, Iced Latte, Iced Cappuccino, Iced Americano
Let's go through them one by one.
1. Espresso
The foundation of nearly every coffee drink on this list. Espresso is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee, producing a small, intense shot topped with a golden layer of crema.
2. Coffee (Long Coffee)
A larger, milder cup of black coffee — similar to filter or brewed coffee in American and European cafés. In automatic machines, this preset uses more water than an espresso and is designed to be sipped over breakfast.
3. Americano
One or two shots of espresso diluted with hot water. It keeps the depth of espresso but in a longer, more drinkable format — one of the most ordered coffees in cafés worldwide.
4. Cappuccino
The Italian classic. Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and thick milk foam. That signature dome of dense foam on top is what makes a cappuccino instantly recognizable.
5. Latte Macchiato
Built in reverse order: steamed milk goes into the glass first, and espresso is slowly poured through it. The result is a clearly layered drink — milk at the bottom, coffee in the middle, foam on top.
6. Flat White
An Australian and New Zealand invention, made with two shots of espresso and silky steamed milk finished with a thin microfoam. Stronger than a latte, smoother than a cappuccino — a favorite of serious coffee drinkers.
7. Café Latte
The mildest of the milk-based drinks. One shot of espresso, plenty of steamed milk, and just a whisper of foam on top. A perfect entry point if you find espresso too intense.
8. Ristretto
A restricted shot of espresso — same coffee grounds, less water. The result is sweeter, more concentrated, and less bitter than a standard espresso. Purists love it.
9. Lungo
The opposite of ristretto. More water passes through the same amount of coffee, giving you a longer, slightly more bitter shot. Great when you want an espresso character with more volume.
10. Cappuccino+
A larger version of the classic cappuccino with more steamed milk and foam. In most cafés, you'd order this as a large cappuccino — same drink, just bigger.
11. Latte Macchiato+
The oversized cousin of the latte macchiato, with even more pronounced layers of milk, espresso, and foam. Its visual appeal makes it one of the most photographed drinks on any menu.
12. Café au Lait
The classic French breakfast drink. Unlike a latte, café au lait is made with brewed coffee (filter or French press) and warm milk in roughly equal parts. Gentle, comforting, and unmistakably Parisian.
13. Mocha (Caffè Mocha)
Where coffee meets dessert. A mocha combines espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup, usually topped with whipped cream or cocoa powder. If you have a sweet tooth, this is your drink.
14. White Coffee
A light, milk-forward drink with a small amount of espresso and a lot of steamed milk — no heavy foam. Note: in Malaysia, "white coffee" refers to a specific roasting style (Ipoh white coffee). On a European or American café menu, it usually means the milky, milder version described here.
15. Iced Coffee
The simplest cold coffee drink: chilled brewed coffee poured over ice. Often served plain, but easily customized with milk, sugar, or flavored syrups.
16. Iced Latte
The summer version of a café latte: espresso, cold milk, and ice. Creamy, refreshing, and one of the bestselling iced drinks worldwide.
17. Iced Cappuccino
Espresso, cold milk, chilled milk foam, and ice. You get the classic cappuccino flavor profile in a refreshing, summer-friendly format.
18. Iced Americano
A fresh espresso shot poured over cold water and ice. Hugely popular in South Korea — where it's practically a national drink — and a go-to summer order in cafés across Asia and beyond.
What's the difference between a cappuccino and a latte?
A cappuccino uses equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and thick foam. A latte has much more steamed milk and only a thin layer of foam, making it milder and creamier.
Which coffee drink is best for beginners?
If you're new to coffee, start with a café latte or cappuccino — the milk balances out the bitterness of espresso. For iced options, an iced latte is the easiest entry point.
Which coffee has the least caffeine?
Despite what most people assume, a single shot of espresso has less caffeine than a large cup of brewed coffee. Ristretto, with even less water, delivers an even smaller dose per shot.
Can I make these coffee drinks at home?
Absolutely. With a home espresso machine — or even a stovetop Moka pot and a milk frother — you can recreate most of these drinks. The key is mastering the espresso-to-milk ratio and getting the milk texture right.
What's the strongest coffee on this list?
By concentration, ristretto is the strongest in flavor and intensity. By total caffeine, a double espresso or a large americano delivers the biggest kick.
