15 Different Types Of Coffee Drinks Explained

If you’ve always been too shy to ask your barista the difference between a flat white and a latte, then this article is for you.

With over a dozen different types of coffee drinks on the menu at Merlo stores, it can be confusing trying to decide which one to go for.

This isn’t just a problem for new coffee drinkers, as many hardcore addicts often stick to what they know.

But that doesn’t need to be the case.

From affogato to short macchiato, long black to ristretto, this article will help explain all the different types of coffee drinks available.

LIST OF POPULAR COFFEE DRINKS

1. Espresso

Also known as a short black, an espresso is a single shot of coffee. No extra hot water is added, resulting in an intense and flavoursome drink. An espresso shot, which forms the basis of many of the other drinks to follow, is produced by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans.

2. Doppio

A Doppio is a double shot of espresso with no added hot water or milk. This results in 60 ml of coffee. Doppio means 'double' in Italian.

3. Ristretto

A ristretto, which means 'restricted' in Italian, is a shot of espresso coffee but extracted with half the amount of water. This results in a delicious, concentrated shot. A ristretto is typically enjoyed straight but it can also be combined with milk.

4. Long Black

A long black is made by pouring a double-shot of espresso over hot water. Unlike an Americano which is made by adding hot water to the espresso shot, a long black retains the crema and is less voluminous, therefore more strongly flavoured.

5. Short Macchiato

A short macchiato is served in a small glass consisting of a single espresso shot then filled with creamy steamed milk and finished with a small layer of foam.

6. Long Macchiato

A long macchiato is similar to a short macchiato, except that it contains a double shot (around 60ml) of coffee.

7. Mezzo Mezzo (Piccolo)

A mezzo mezzo (also known as a piccolo) is a single espresso shot in a small latte glass, which is then filled with steamed milk.

8. Cappuccino

Recognised by the froth on top, a cappuccino is one part espresso shot, one part textured milk and one part froth on top with a dusting of chocolate to finish. At Merlo locations, a cappuccino in a 8oz cup contains one shot of espresso, in a 12oz cup 1.5 shots and in a 16oz cup two shots. This is the same for a latte, flat white and mocha.

9. Latte

A latte is a coffee espresso shot filled with steamed milk and with a layer of foamed milk crema.

10. Flat White

A flat white is very similar to a latte, with un-textured milk (no air incorporated when being steamed) resulting in espresso and steamed milk with little or no froth.

11. Mocha

A latte with the added sweetness of chocolate. A mocha can be prepared by adding chocolate to the espresso shot before adding the textured milk, or adding the chocolate to the cold milk before frothing.

12. Affogato

Combine a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a double shot of hot espresso and you have an affogato. Great for a post-lunch or dinner treat.

13. Batch Brew

A batch brew is a coffee made in an automated pour over machine, like a Moccamaster. These machines use a filter and brew much larger quantities of coffee than devices like the AeroPress, V60 or Chemex.

14. Cold Drip

Cold drip coffee is similar to coffee brewed in a pour-over device, except that the process uses cold water and takes much longer. Our Merlo stores use a Yama cold drip tower to make cold drip coffee.

15. Cold Brew

Our Cold Brew coffee can is produced by submerging our premium Zambia coffee beans in cold water for an extended period of time. This results in a smooth and refreshing brew with 180mg of caffeine - similar to a double-shot espresso.

THE NEXT STEP... WHAT COFFEE BEANS TO CHOOSE?

Once you've decided on what coffee to go for, the next step is picking which beans you would like your coffee made with.

Our coffee pods, which are Nespresso compatible, come in two of our best selling Signature Blends, our natural and 100% organic Organico Blend and our strong and bold Forza Blend. 

The best option is to try a few different beans to find your favourite one. Our friendly staff at our coffee bean store can also help make some recommendations to enhance your coffee experience.