How to Make a Cortado at Home: Recipe and Technique
The classic cortado recipe — equal parts espresso and steamed milk for a balanced, bold coffee drink
Quick Answer: Cortado Recipe
A cortado is a 1:1 ratio of espresso to lightly steamed milk. Pull a double espresso (2oz/60ml) and add 2oz (60ml) of warm, lightly textured milk. The cortado uses less foam than a cappuccino and less milk than a latte — served in a 4oz Gibraltar glass.
Cortado Recipe: Ingredients and Specifications
Cortado Ingredients
- Espresso: 2oz (60ml) double shot — the cortado espresso base
- Milk: 2oz (60ml) whole milk, lightly steamed
- Foam: Minimal — cortado milk should have thin microfoam, not froth
Cortado Specifications
- Ratio: 1:1 espresso to milk
- Total Volume: 4oz (120ml)
- Serving Glass: 4.5oz Gibraltar glass or ceramic cup
- Milk Temperature: 130-140°F (54-60°C) — cooler than latte milk
Step-by-Step Cortado Preparation
Pull a Double Espresso for the Cortado Base
Grind 18g of espresso coffee and extract a 36g double shot in 25-30 seconds directly into a 4oz Gibraltar glass or cortado cup. The cortado espresso base should have rich crema and balanced flavor — neither bitter nor sour. Medium roast espresso beans produce the best cortado base because medium roast balances sweetness and body.
Steam Cortado Milk with Minimal Foam
Pour 2-3oz of cold whole milk into a small steaming pitcher. Steam the cortado milk to 130-140°F — slightly cooler than latte milk temperature. Introduce very little air during the stretching phase — the cortado requires almost no foam, just warmed and slightly textured milk. The cortado milk should pour like warm cream, not like latte microfoam.
Pour Cortado Milk into Espresso
Pour the steamed cortado milk gently into the espresso. The cortado milk should integrate with the espresso crema rather than sitting on top. A properly made cortado shows a light brown color throughout — the equal ratio of espresso and milk creates a uniform blend. The cortado should taste bold and espresso-forward with milk softening the intensity without masking the coffee flavor.
Cortado vs Similar Espresso Milk Drinks
| Drink | Espresso | Milk | Foam | Total Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortado | 2oz | 2oz | Minimal | 4oz |
| Macchiato | 2oz | 0.5oz | Dollop | 2.5oz |
| Flat White | 2oz | 4oz | Thin microfoam | 6oz |
| Cappuccino | 2oz | 2oz | 2oz thick foam | 6oz |
| Latte | 2oz | 8-10oz | Thin layer | 10-12oz |
Related Espresso Drink Guides
How to Make a Flat White
The cortado's larger cousin — more milk, same espresso base
How to Make a Cappuccino
Same espresso base, different milk texture and foam ratio
How to Make a Macchiato
Even less milk than a cortado — espresso-dominant
How to Steam Milk for Latte Art
Master milk steaming technique for all espresso drinks
Complete Coffee Drinks Guide
Every espresso drink recipe in one guide