There are 15 main types of coffee drinks, and almost all of them start from the same two things: espresso or brewed coffee, plus water, milk, or ice in different amounts. This guide shows each one with a picture, what is in it, and how it tastes, so you know exactly what to order or make at home.
Types of Coffee Drinks at a Glance
| Coffee | What is in it | Strength | Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Concentrated coffee only | Strong | Hot |
| Americano | Espresso + hot water | Medium | Hot or iced |
| Latte | Espresso + lots of steamed milk | Mild | Hot or iced |
| Cappuccino | Espresso + steamed milk + thick foam | Medium | Hot |
| Flat White | Double espresso + thin microfoam | Strong | Hot |
| Macchiato | Espresso + a spoon of milk foam | Strong | Hot |
| Mocha | Espresso + chocolate + steamed milk | Mild | Hot or iced |
| Cortado | Espresso + equal steamed milk | Strong | Hot |
| Cold Brew | Coffee steeped in cold water | Medium to strong | Cold |
| Iced Coffee | Hot-brewed coffee poured over ice | Medium | Cold |
| Affogato | Espresso over vanilla ice cream | Medium | Dessert |
| Turkish Coffee | Very fine grounds simmered in a pot | Strong | Hot |
| French Press | Coarse grounds steeped and pressed | Medium to strong | Hot |
| Irish Coffee | Coffee + Irish whiskey + sugar + cream | Medium | Hot |
| Pour Over | Hot water poured by hand through a filter | Medium | Hot |
Different Types of Coffee with Pictures
1. Espresso
Espresso is the base of most coffee shop drinks. Hot water is pushed through finely ground coffee under high pressure, which gives a small, concentrated shot of about 30 ml with a golden layer on top called crema. It tastes bold and intense. A double shot is called a doppio.
2. Americano
An Americano is a shot or two of espresso topped up with hot water. It has a similar strength to regular drip coffee but keeps the deeper espresso flavor. It is a good choice if you like black coffee and find straight espresso too strong.
3. Latte
A latte is espresso with a large amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam on top. It is the mildest and creamiest of the espresso drinks, which is why it works so well with flavored syrups such as vanilla or caramel. Baristas often pour the milk to create latte art.
4. Cappuccino
A cappuccino is made with roughly equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. It has less milk than a latte, so the coffee flavor is stronger, and the thick foam gives it a light, airy texture. It is traditionally a morning drink in Italy.
5. Flat White
The flat white comes from Australia and New Zealand. It is usually made with a double shot of espresso and a thin layer of velvety microfoam instead of thick froth. It is smaller and stronger than a latte, with a smooth, silky feel.
6. Macchiato
Macchiato means “stained” or “marked” in Italian. A traditional espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso marked with just a spoonful of milk foam. It is nearly as strong as espresso, with the foam taking a little of the edge off. A latte macchiato is the reverse: steamed milk marked with espresso.
7. Mocha
A mocha is a latte with chocolate added, usually as cocoa powder or chocolate syrup, and it is often topped with whipped cream. It is sweet and rich, somewhere between coffee and hot chocolate, and is an easy first coffee for people who do not like bitter drinks.
8. Cortado
The cortado comes from Spain. It is espresso “cut” with about the same amount of warm steamed milk, with little or no foam. It is served in a small glass and gives a balanced drink: stronger than a latte, smoother than a macchiato.
9. Cold Brew
Cold brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, then straining. Because it is never heated, it tastes smoother and less acidic than regular coffee. It is usually made as a concentrate and diluted with water or milk.
10. Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is regular hot-brewed coffee that is cooled and poured over ice, often with milk and sugar. It is quicker to make than cold brew and has a brighter, slightly more bitter taste. Brewing it a little stronger stops the melting ice from watering it down.
11. Affogato
An affogato is an Italian dessert: a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato with a hot shot of espresso poured over it. The name means “drowned.” The mix of hot, bitter coffee and cold, sweet ice cream makes it half drink, half dessert.
12. Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee uses beans ground to a fine powder, simmered with water (and often sugar) in a small pot called a cezve. It is not filtered, so the grounds settle at the bottom of the cup. The result is thick, strong, and served in small cups.
13. French Press
French press coffee is made by steeping coarse grounds in hot water for about four minutes, then pushing a metal mesh plunger down to separate the grounds. Because there is no paper filter, more of the coffee’s natural oils stay in the cup, giving a full, heavy body.
14. Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is a coffee cocktail made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, topped with a layer of lightly whipped cream. You drink the hot coffee through the cool cream. It is usually served in a glass mug as an after-dinner drink.
15. Pour Over
Pour over coffee is brewed by slowly pouring hot water by hand over grounds in a paper filter, using a dripper such as a V60 or Chemex. The slow, controlled pour gives a clean, light cup that brings out the individual flavors of the beans.
Which Type of Coffee Is the Strongest?
By taste, espresso, macchiato, and Turkish coffee are the strongest because they are the most concentrated. By total caffeine in the cup, a large cold brew or a big mug of brewed coffee often has more, simply because you drink far more of it than a 30 ml espresso shot.
Looking for something to go with your cup? See our guides to types of bread and types of cheese. Prefer a cold drink without caffeine? Try our list of types of juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?
Both are espresso with steamed milk. A latte has much more milk and only a thin layer of foam, so it is milder. A cappuccino has less milk and a thick layer of foam, so the coffee taste is stronger.
What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
Cold brew is steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours and is never heated. Iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled over ice. Cold brew tastes smoother and less acidic.
Which coffee is best for beginners?
A latte or a mocha is the easiest place to start. Both have plenty of milk, and a mocha adds chocolate, so the bitterness of the coffee is soft.
What is the difference between a flat white and a latte?
A flat white is smaller, usually uses a double shot of espresso, and has a thinner layer of fine microfoam. That makes it stronger and less milky than a latte.
How many types of coffee beans are there?
There are four main types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. Arabica and Robusta make up almost all of the coffee sold worldwide.