Cortado Recipe
A cortado is equal parts espresso and lightly textured warm milk, served small. It tames the acidity of the shot without burying it the way a latte does.
Ratio
1:1 espresso:milk
Grind
Fine
Temp
Milk 130°F
Coffee
18→36 g
Water
~2 oz milk
Time
~2 min
Step by step
- Pull a double shot into a small 4–4.5 oz glass.
- Steam about 2 oz of milk to thin, barely-there microfoam.
- Pour to a roughly 1:1 espresso-to-milk drink.
Tip: Equal parts espresso and steamed milk — it cuts acidity without drowning the coffee.
A cortado needs just a little velvety milk. A handheld or automatic milk frother does the job without an espresso machine.