Unveiling the Cortado: A Coffee Lover's Guide to Enjoying This Unique Espresso Drink

Cortado coffee is not new, but it has recently been shaking up the coffee world for all the right reasons. For those with a taste for adventure, a cortado coffee offers a bold, unmasked flavor that invites you to savor the rich essence of espresso, moderated by the subtle sweetness of steamed milk.

So, what is a cortado coffee? It's a popular espresso-based drink from Spain. The word “cortado” comes from the Spanish verb “cortar” which means “to cut.” This makes sense, since a cortado coffee uses a small amount of steamed milk to ‘cut' the intensity of the espresso.

There are several interpretations of the cortado coffee, but the traditional cortado coffee recipe is typically made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk (at a 1:1 ratio.) The milk in a cortado is steamed to a very light milk foam, not frothy and ‘texturized' as in many Italian coffee drinks.

What is a cortado coffee’s ideal size? The answer to that is also debatable. Some baristas swear by a shot of espresso to a shot of milk; others do it with a double shot of espresso and milk. If you check any coffee shop, you'll find that most coffee lovers prefer their cortado coffee at 4 oz.

In general, a cortado coffee is smaller than a latte or a cappuccino. It is traditionally served in a special glass with a metal ring base and a metal wire handle, known as a “cortado glass.” However, it can also be served in a small ceramic cup or a Gibraltar glass.

What Is the Origin of Cortado Coffee?

We have explained our contemporary understanding of this beloved coffee beverage, but what is a cortado in the traditional sense?

Cortado coffee traces its roots back to Spain, specifically the Basque Country. The exact timeline of its creation is unclear, but it is widely believed to have emerged during the 20th century.

The cortado gained popularity in Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain and Cuba, before making its way to the United States and other parts of the world

In Spain, a cortado coffee is traditionally served in a special glass called a “cortado glass,” with a metal ring base and a metal wire handle. It's a common sight in most coffee shops across the country, particularly as a post-lunch afternoon treat.

In Cuba, the cortado coffee takes on a slightly different form, known as “cortadito.” It's a similar drink to the cortado but is a sweeter version, with the addition of condensed milk instead of regular milk. The cortadito is often enjoyed as a dessert coffee or late afternoon treat.

Cortado Coffee Across the World

As the cortado coffee spread globally: from Spain, to Latin America, to North America, and many more. It was embraced and adapted by different cultures. In the United States, for instance, it became popular in specialty coffee shops, particularly in cities with a strong coffee culture like San Francisco and New York.

What is a cortado from an American perspective? If you go to any local coffee shop in America, you'll find that while the recipe is not different, our version of the cortado is often served in a Gibraltar glass. This is why cortado coffee is sometimes referred to as a “Gibraltar.”

Despite its global popularity, the cortado remains true to its roots. It's a balanced drink, with its 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk that produces bold and smooth coffee. Its rich history and cultural significance add to the allure, making it a favorite among cortado coffee lovers around the world.

What Is a Cortado Made Of? The Art of Making a Cortado

How to make a cortado? Cortado coffee is one of those coffees that demand at least some adherence to the rules. To make a cortado, aim for that delicate balance of espresso and milk to achieve its characteristic flavor and texture. You'll need to pull your espresso and add foamed milk the right way.

Baristas also say the size should be fixed at 4 oz, but who will know you made a 20 oz cortado at home? Whatever size you choose, here's how to make a cortado the right way.

1. Grind the Coffee Beans

Begin by grinding your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency. This grind size is crucial as it influences the extraction process and enhances the rich flavors of your espresso.

Use the darkest roast beans you can find for a cortado. Traditionally, the Basque people of Spain use a particularly dark and bitter type of roast called Torrefacto, but it may not be available in some countries outside of Spain, Turkey, and others with a strong coffee culture. 

If you would rather have a more contemporary “coffee shop” taste, here are our recommendations:

• Arabica Beans: Sweet, delicate flavor with lower acidity.
  • Suitability: The subtle flavors enhance the creamy milk, creating a smooth and balanced drink.
    
    
• Medium Roast Beans: Balanced flavor with a slight hint of acidity and a medium body.
  • Suitability: These beans complement the milk well, ensuring the espresso doesn't overpower the milk.
    
    
• Single Origin Beans: Distinctive flavor profiles that vary by geographic location.
  • Suitability: Add a personalized touch to the Cortado, with popular choices including Ethiopian beans for fruity notes and Colombian beans for nutty, chocolatey flavors.
    
    
• Freshly Roasted Beans: Maximum flavor and aroma.
  • Suitability: Fresh beans provide a richer and more enjoyable coffee experience, enhancing both taste and aroma.
    
    
• Flavored Coffee: For the utter non-conformists, try a cortado with our unique Bones flavored coffee beans. We promise, it will be an experience like no other.

If you want to make a cortado coffee that’s bold and strong, grind your beans to a fine, powdery consistency, which allows for maximum extraction and a full-bodied flavor.

2. Prepare the Espresso

Using an espresso machine, extract a double shot of espresso (about 60 ml) directly into a cortado or Gibraltar glass. This strong espresso base is the heart of the deep and intense flavor of this coffee drink.

3. Steam the Milk

While the coffee brews, steam an equal amount of steamed milk (approximately 60 ml) to a slightly cooler temperature than usual, around 130-140°F (55-60°C). This ensures the milk integrates smoothly with less froth, maintaining the cortado's signature texture.

This coffee drink keeps things simple and balanced with a very light microfoam consistency, leading to a silky smooth, velvety texture. This is how to make a cortado:

1. Start with cold milk: Use fresh, cold milk. Whole milk or full-fat milk is often recommended for the best texture and flavor, but lower-fat or non-dairy milk can also be used. Fill your steaming pitcher to about one-third full, which allows enough room for the milk to expand as it froths.
   
   
2. Position the wand: Submerge the tip of the steaming wand just below the surface of the milk, slightly off-center. The correct depth is crucial—too deep, and it won't aerate properly, too shallow, and it might create large bubbles or splatter.
   
   
3. Create a vortex: Turn on the steamer to its maximum setting. The position of the wand should create a swirling vortex in the milk. This helps incorporate air into the milk evenly and heats it simultaneously.
   
   
4. Introduce air: At the beginning of steaming, keep the tip of the wand close to the milk surface to introduce air into the milk. This is what creates the foam. As the milk begins to foam and increase in volume, lower the wand slightly to continue heating the milk without introducing more air.
   
   
5. Stop at the right temperature: Feel the bottom of the pitcher with your hand and stop steaming when it becomes too hot to touch comfortably, typically around 140-150°F (60-65°C). Overheating the milk can spoil the flavor and ruin the microfoam structure.
   
   
6. Tap and swirl: Once steaming is done, tap the pitcher against the counter to break any large bubbles and swirl the milk to keep it creamy and evenly textured.

A heavily foamed milk destroys the taste and experience of the cortado and intrudes on the territory of the flat white or latte.

4. Pour the Milk

Gently pour the steamed milk into the glass with the espresso, aiming for a harmonious 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk. The goal is to merge the milk evenly with the espresso, achieving a consistent color and creamy consistency throughout.

If you don’t want to apply a 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk, you can use less milk than coffee like the Spaniards do. Just make sure not to use more milk than coffee otherwise, it becomes a latte, despite being smaller.

5. Serve Immediately

Serve your cortado promptly while it's fresh and hot, allowing the bold and smooth flavors to be enjoyed at their peak.

FAQs

What is a cortado’s taste profile as a coffee beverage?

The taste profile of a Cortado is a harmonious balance of strong espresso and smooth, creamy steamed milk.

This balance is achieved by the equal parts of espresso and steamed milk, which results in a less intense but still robust coffee flavor compared to other espresso-based drinks.

The espresso in a Cortado provides a deep, rich flavor that forms the base of the drink, while the steamed milk adds a creamy texture and a slight sweetness, which helps to soften the intensity of the espresso.

Depending on the coffee beans used, a Cortado can have various undertones, including nutty, fruity, or chocolatey notes.

What is a cortado coffee's difference from a flat white, latte, or macchiato?

The key differences between a cortado, latte, flat white, and espresso macchiato lie in their milk to espresso ratios and the way the milk is prepared and added to the coffee.

The table below shows the difference between a Cortado and four other popular espresso drinks.

What kind of steamed milk is used in a cortado?

A cortado is traditionally made with whole cow's milk. The richness and creaminess of whole milk complement the strong, bold flavors of the espresso, creating a balanced and smooth drink.

The fat in the milk helps to create a creamy, rich taste and texture and perfectly balances the tart espresso. However, variations of the cortado can be made with different types of milk to cater to dietary preferences or restrictions.

Here are a few alternatives:

• Skimmed or semi-skimmed milk: Offers a lighter alternative with less fat, though it may reduce the drink's creaminess.
• Lactose-free milk: A good substitute for those with lactose intolerance, mimicking the taste and texture of regular milk.
• Plant-based milks: Options like almond, soy, and oat milk introduce unique flavors. They may not froth as well, potentially altering the texture of the drink.

The choice of milk will significantly influence the taste, texture, and overall enjoyment of the Cortado.

Can I add sugar or other sweeteners to a cortado?

While the traditional cortado is enjoyed without any added sweeteners, personalizing your coffee to suit your taste is always an option.

If you prefer a sweeter cortado, you can certainly add sugar or other sweeteners. However, it's important to note that adding sweeteners can alter the original taste profile of the cortado, potentially masking the delicate balance between the espresso and the milk.

Apart from the usual sugar, here are some common sweeteners you might consider:

• Honey - More subtle compared to sugar and adds a slight floral note to your drink.
• Agave syrup - Sweeter than sugar, so you'll need less of it.
• Stevia - A zero-calorie sweetener, but has a strong, distinct taste.
• Artificial sweeteners - Options like Splenda, Equal, or Sweet'N Low are much sweeter than sugar, so use them sparingly.

The key to a great cortado is balance. If you choose to add a sweetener, start with a small amount and adjust to taste. This way, you can enjoy the sweetness without losing the unique flavors of the cortado. While at it, consider the extra calories a sweetener will add to your cortado.

What is a cortado’s calorie count?

A standard coffee shop cortado, which typically consists of equal parts espresso and steamed whole fat cow's milk, generally contains around 90 calories without sweeteners.

Skim milk or plant-based milks, such as almond or oat milk, generally contain fewer calories than whole milk. The table below shows typical calorie counts for different types of milk you can use in a Cortado.

Variations of the Cortado

The cortado, while a distinct espresso beverage in its own right, has inspired a number of variations around the world. These coffee drinks often reflect regional tastes and traditions, and offer a unique twist on the classic cortado.

Here are the most notable options:

Gibraltar

Named after the glass in which it is served, the Gibraltar is a popular variation of the cortado in San Francisco. It is typically made with espresso and steamed milk, both given as a double shot.

Piccolo Latte

This Australian variation resembles a cortado but is typically served in a small latte glass. The Piccolo Latte is made with a ristretto shot (a short shot of espresso) and warm silky milk, resulting in a sweeter and more concentrated flavor.

Cortado Leche y Leche

Originating from the Canary Islands, the Leche y Leche is a Cortado variation that includes a layer of condensed milk at the bottom, espresso in the middle, and a layer of foamed milk on top. This results in a sweeter and creamier version of the cortado.

Cortado Condensada

This Spanish variation of the cortado is made with condensed milk instead of regular milk or steamed milk, giving it a sweeter taste and a thicker texture.

Café Bombón

Popular in Spain, the Café Bombón is a cortado coffee variation made with equal parts espresso and sweetened condensed milk. The condensed milk is added to the glass first, followed by the espresso, creating a two-layered effect.

Cortadito

The Cortadito is a Cuban variation of the cortado coffee. It is typically made with espresso and steamed milk, but sugar is added to the espresso as it is brewing, resulting in a sweeter taste.

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Get Inside the Loop, Experience the Uniqueness of the Cortado Taste

What is a cortado, if not a stand-out drink, that has become a beacon for coffee aficionados with refined tastes? This espresso beverage, known for its balanced mix of espresso and a splash of steamed milk, allows connoisseurs to savor a beverage that stays true to the rich traditions and culture of coffee.

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