Reading Time: 10 minutes 
If you’re a coffee enthusiast seeking a delightful balance between boldness and creaminess, look no further than the cortado. This elegant coffee drink has gained popularity worldwide.
Join me as I explore this beloved coffee classic’s origins, preparation, and nuances.
What is a cortado coffee? A hidden gem in the world of brews
So what’s a cortado? To get an idea, picture this: a smooth, balanced espresso dance with steamed milk, creating a harmonious brew. That, my friend, is the cortado coffee—equal parts espresso and milk, no thick cream crowning the surface, just pure coffee magic.
You may think of it as a cousin to the latte or macchiato but with a bolder coffee flavor and a velvety texture. The cortado caters to those who crave the espresso’s punch while savoring the sweet embrace of milk. It’s like a cozy chat with your taste buds, a symphony of robustness and creaminess.
the origin of Cortado coffee
People are fascinated by cortado due to its kind and balanced flavor. It is renowned in Spain, originating in the Basque Region, and appreciated in Portugal, Latin America, and other parts of the world.
Cortado
Did you know that cortado means “cut” in Spanish because the milk is used to cut, vanish, or eliminate the sharpness of the coffee?
The real specialty lies in how it is served in small portions, usually glasses (120ml-180ml), to enjoy the pure taste of coffee and milk. The milk swiftly simplifies the espresso’s bite but doesn’t overpower its rich flavor.
If you love espresso and crave a harmonious blend of sweetness and creaminess, cortados are ideal. Do you savor cortados? If not, try it; they’re a fantastic way to energize or unwind.
Is cortado drink and coffee similar?
There are so many different types of coffee drinks, all depending on the brewing methods and proportion of ingredients. Famous coffee-based drinks include espresso, Cappuccino, latte, mocha, and flat white. A cortado drink is an espresso-based coffee.
Cortado coffee has a unique presentation and velvety texture. An equal quantity of milk is used to maintain its robust flavor.
Cortado caffeine content depends on the cup size we use to serve it. Usually, a single shot of espresso is mixed with an equal amount of steamed milk. It roughly contains about 64mg of caffeine in a standard 6 oz Cortado cup.
Cortado ingredients
You may think that espresso and milk are mixed in equal parts, and a cortado has the same amount of both liquids. For example, a 4-ounce cortado has 2 ounces of espresso and 2 ounces of milk, but how do you mix it to call it a perfect cortado?
The milk is not very bubbly like in a cappuccino or a latte, but it has some foam on top. Everyone has their aesthetics. Some people like to add sugar, honey, or vanilla syrup to their cortado to make it sweeter; others rely on the main ingredients only. So, the essentials are:
cortado at Starbucks
At Starbucks, the coveted cortado graces the menu. Starbucks cortado arrives in an 8 oz cup, featuring two shots of their signature espresso harmoniously blended with steamed whole milk. For variety, you can opt for the Blonde or Decaf version, and feel free to personalize it with your favorite syrup.
As per Starbucks’ official website, a small serving provides 72kcal and approximately 66.2 milligrams of caffeine.
How is cortado coffee made?
Obviously! If you are a coffee lover, don’t hesitate to craft a cortado yourself. You’ll need a few essential items: an espresso machine, a coffee grinder, a milk steamer, and a measuring cup. If you have these with you, a cup of cortado is only a few minutes away. Follow these straightforward steps:
How can you make cortado coffee without a coffee machine?
Cortado variations in different cultures
Cortados come in various versions from Spain to Seattle and bear different names. Let’s explore how people across diverse cultures enjoy this delightful coffee drink.
cortadito coffee ( Cortado cubano )
Cortadito coffee, as you notice, is a variation in the name and originated in Cuba; it is a fantastic contrast to the classic cortado. Also known as cortado cubano, Once you have a chance to enjoy it, you will remember how it tastes like a traditional cortado. Still, with a unique twist. “cortadito” signifies “little cut” in Spanish, alluding to adding milk that balances its intensity—essentially cutting through the bitterness.
What makes it different is its deep, rich hue or color. You can prepare it easily on the stovetop. If you have a sweet tooth, add a touch of honey or sugar to make it a sweet delight.
Some enthusiasts believe that this type of milk makes a significant difference in taste. They like to choose from organic goat milk to enhance flavor and texture. And don’t miss the delightfully textured foam when sugar and coffee combine.
Feel the thrill and savor your coffee from a petite glass with a metal handle, slightly larger than an espresso shot (typically weighing 30 ml per cup). Enjoy it as a post-meal indulgence or as a morning pick-me-up. And why not taste it with a delectable Cuban pastry—sweet or savory?
Noisette
A noisette is a kind of coffee that you can get in France. It has its roots in a traditional cortado but with a little twist. Noisette goes for hazelnuts in French. Do you think it has some flavoring nuts, but this coffee has none?
Because of the coffee and milk color, it looks like a hazelnut. In a French cafe, a noisette comes with espresso, a tiny bit of milk, and foam.
Served in an adorable cup, just the right size for a coffee, this delightful beverage is perfect when you crave something both warm and velvety.
Piccolo latte
You will find a piccolo latte in Australia, a coffee like a cortado with a little twist. An influential and short shot of coffee makes up a piccolo, a ristretto, and some warm milk with foam on top.
It is in a small glass or ceramic cup that is big enough for the coffee. It is an excellent drink for when you want something smooth but powerful.
Galão
A galão is a kind of coffee that comes from Portugal. It is like a cortado but with a lot more milk. They can make a galão with a shot of espresso and three times as much hot milk and foam.
It is in a big glass that is almost full of milk. It is a very milky and creamy coffee drink. You can have a galão as a morning startup or any time of the day. You can add sugar or honey to make it sweeter.
Other names for a cortado
It’s known as cortadito and cortado cubano in Cuba, while in France, people refer to it as noisette. In Australia, you’ll find it as a piccolo latte; in Portugal, it goes by the name galão.
Cortado and latte, what’s different?
you can differentiate between a cortado and a latte. Both are espresso-based drinks but there is a difference in the quantity and texture of milk they usually rely on. As you know a cortado is made with espresso and steamed milk, with a little or no foam on the top of it. you can easily recognize a latte has comparatively more steamed milk and a thick layer of foam on top to enjoy. Both go with the tide and win the hearts of their lovers.
Is Gibraltar and Cortado the same?
A Gibraltar is a coffee drink combining strong coffee and hot milk in equal parts. It’s also known as a cortado; both names refer to a similar beverage. Typically served in a small glass with a narrow bottom, the Gibraltar holds approximately 4.5 ounces. Interestingly, the glass itself is named after the drink.
The trend for Gibraltar coffee began when the Blue Bottle Coffee Company introduced it in San Francisco. Since then, other coffee shops have followed suit, making it a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts.
Compared to a cappuccino, Gibraltar has less milk and foam on top. Its coffee flavor is robust, appealing to those who prefer a smoother blend of coffee and milk over a latte.
Difference between cortado and flat white
A cortado and a flat white are both espresso-based drinks with milk, but they have some differences. Here are the main ones:
Cortado vs macchiato
A cortado and a macchiato are both espresso-based drinks with milk, but they have some differences.
FAQ: What is a cortado coffee?
How to make a good cortado?
You need an espresso, fresh coffee beans, and milk to make a good cortado. Some people like to add honey or a sweetener, although it is not essential to the ingredients.
What is a cortado natural?
A cortado natural is a variation of the cortado that uses natural or organic milk instead of pasteurized milk. It is popular in some areas of Spain, especially in the Basque region.
What drink is similar to cortado?
A drink similar to cortado is the flat white, which started in Australia and New Zealand. Flat white is slightly higher in milk content than a cortado.
Why is it called a cortado?
Cortado means a “cut” in Spanish. The cut refers to minimizing the sharpness of coffee with the politeness of milk.
What’s another name for a cortado?
Another name for a cortado is the Gibraltar, which has its roots in San Francisco and refers to the size of the glass used in that part of the world. The coffee got its name due to the shape of the serving glass, which resembles Gibraltar rock.
Is cortado better than cappuccino?
A cappuccino is a large drink (around 6 ounces) with a higher milk-to-coffee ratio (around 1:6) and a thick foam layer.
Some people prefer a cortado because it is less diluted and has a more mild coffee taste.
Others prefer a cappuccino because it has more volume sweeter flavor. Ultimately, the choice is yours. You can try both drinks and see which one you like more.
Who invented cortado?
The cortado is a Spanish coffee. James Freeman introduced it as a standard drink in cafés and bars in the United States.
What makes a cortado unique?
A cortado’s unique qualities are its balance and simplicity. It has a perfect harmony of espresso and milk without foam or sugar.
Conclusion
A cortado is a combination of espresso and steamed milk in equal proportions.
It is unique with all its variations in different parts of the world. It is ideal for coffee lovers who want to enjoy the richness of espresso with a touch of creaminess. A cortado is a simple but elegant coffee that blends coffee and milk.
