Traditional Espresso Beverage Definitions

Espresso is a straight shot, about 60 mls. Espresso is the base of all coffees. It can be drunk in a little cup on its own or used to make a more complex drink.

Ristretto is traditionally a short shot of espresso. The opposite of a ristretto is a lungo, which is typically double the shot volume. Ristretto means "limited" or "restricted" in Italian whereas lungo means "long." Ristretto is a difficult and advanced drink that only a truly skilled barista can make.

Cappuccino is traditionally made with 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foam. Steam milk first, pull your shots, allow time for the milk to separate creating a "set, dry foam" Dry or Wet Cappuccinos - Refers to the milk to foam ratio. More milk is wet. Dry, less. This type of coffee beverage may be topped with spices (e.g., some ground cinnamon, ground chocolate, or sweetened cocoa powder) for a bite of extra flavor.

Caffe Latte is one of the most popular coffee drinks around the world. Stroll into any coffee shop and you will discover a latte on the menu. Caffe Latte is equal parts espresso and steamed milk. There are many varieties of Lattes including Soy latte, Almond milk latte or Chai latte, Macchiato latte or mochaccino which contains chocolate.

Flat White is steamed milk over a shot or two of espresso. The drink originated in Australia in the early 1980s as an alternative to the frothier cappuccino. It is fairly similar to the traditional cappuccino or the caffe latte although smaller in volume, therefore having a higher proportion of coffee to milk, and milk that is more smooth in consistency – permitting the espresso to command the flavour, while being supported by the milk.

Long Black is made by pouring a double-shot of espresso or ristretto over hot water. Commonly found in Australia and New Zealand. A good long black will have some crema, and it will be the perfect temperature to drink immediately. Always pour your water first, which is the opposite of Americano.

Americano a single or double-shot of espresso brewed with added water. Legend has it that the beverage got it’s name during World War II when the American Armed Forces stationed in Europe would add hot water to espresso to approximate the taste of the coffee to which they were accustomed. Americans just couldn’t handle the concentrated flavor of the European espresso and literally had to water it down. It is now a famous beverage around the globe.

Lungo is a single or double shot of espresso and double the amount of water, resulting in a stretched coffee, a lungo. A lungo should not be mistaken for an Americano, which is an espresso with hot water added to it, or a long black, which is hot water with a short black added to it (inverse order to Americano; done so to preserve the crema). In the lungo, all the water is brewed, and the lungo is generally shorter than an Americano or a long black. A significantly longer drink, comparable in size to an Americano or long black.