Recipes
Cortado Coffee Recipe

Cortado coffee filled in a small glass cup

Cortado Coffee Recipe

Name: Cortado Coffee Recipe
Prep time: 360
Cook time: 360
Total time: 360

Henry Muller

Barista

The Cortado is a coffee concoction that is gradually making its way to people’s hearts through their taste buds.

It comes from Spain. It is half espresso, half steamed milk, and has no foam or froth like most Spanish drinks.

What makes this beverage beautiful is the balance created by the strong espresso and the lightness of milk.

Since it comes with high caffeine content, it can give you the kick that you are looking for.

Cortado is not a thick beverage, but its fan base sure is. So, are you geared up to make a cup for yourself?

Let’s begin with its recipe.

Difficulty:

Medium

Grind Size:

Fine

Temperature

70°C

Est. Time

6:00 min

Ingredients

60 ml Milk
Fresh Espresso Coffee Beans
Filtered Water

Apparatus

Gibraltar Glass
Coffee Grinder
Espresso Machine

How to Make Cortado Coffee?

Step 1

Grind 16 grams of espresso beans to a fine consistency. Use a burr grinder for the best results, ensuring a uniform grind size.

Step 2

Pour 2 ounces of milk into a steaming pitcher. Use cold milk for a better foam texture and flavor.

Step 3

Extract two shots of espresso (approximately 2 ounces) into a preheated Gibraltar glass. Tamp the coffee grounds evenly and firmly to ensure proper extraction.

Step 4

While the espresso is extracting, steam your milk to 70°C (158°F) using a steam wand. Position the steam wand just below the surface of the milk and create a whirlpool motion to incorporate air and create a creamy texture.

Step 5

Slowly pour the steamed milk into the espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon until you've poured approximately half of the milk. Then, gently spoon the foam on top of the cortado.

Pouring the steamed milk into the espresso

Step 6

Serve hot and enjoy slowly, savoring the rich flavor and velvety texture of your perfectly crafted cortado. Pair it with a light snack or pastry for a delightful coffee break experience.

How to Garnish Cortado Coffee?

Here are a few steps that you can consider to garnish it.

Sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon on top of the foam.
Grate some dark chocolate or sprinkle cocoa powder on the foam.
Drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce over the foam.
Add a twist of fresh orange zest on top of the foam.
Grate a little nutmeg over the foam.
Add a drop of vanilla extract to the foam.

Foods to Eat With Cortado!

Well, I many times prefer drinking it with no other foods. But you are used to have something with it, you can try foods like pastries, biscotti, chocolate, cheese, nuts, fruit, toast, etc.

Conclusion

Getting a cortado right doesn't require special techniques or years of practice, making it a great drink to brew for beginners.

Additionally, it's a great option to go for if you have trouble drinking espresso straight and need a quick energy boost.

We hope this easy-peasy recipe helps you make a classic cortado at home. For more coffee recipes, check out this space.

Henry Muller

Team TAB

View Profile

I am a barista by profession hailing from NC. My journey began in my late teens when I started working as a barista in a local coffee shop. My passion for coffee quickly became evident as I immersed myself in the art of espresso extraction, latte art ...