Macchiato

Italy

"Macchiato" means "stained" or "spotted" in Italian — it's an espresso marked with just a dollop of foamed milk. Not to be confused with the caramel-drizzled, whipped-cream-topped drink you'd find at a chain. The original is tiny, intense, and barely sweetened by the milk.

How to make it

1. 1

   Pull a single shot of espresso into a demitasse.

2. 2

   Steam a small amount of milk to create stiff microfoam.

3. 3

   Spoon a small dollop of foam onto the center of the espresso.

4. 4

   Serve immediately — the mark of milk should sit on top, not dissolve in.