Types of coffee drinks

Start with the perfect espresso

First things first. Wonderful coffee drinks start with an espresso. It’s a pure hit of coffee and the heart of many drinks we love. Espresso is created by hot water being forced quickly through freshly ground coffee. With the KitchenAid collection of home espresso machines, you can enjoy unlimited coffees. Decide whether to go fully automatic or semi automatic. Not sure? Try help me choose to see which you prefer. A fully auto machine takes care of everything, so all you need to do is browse the options on the screen to confirm and personalise your choice. A semi auto espresso machine with a burr grinder means you call the shots, enjoying every step from tamping the grounds to inserting the portafilter and steaming milk in a jug.

Which type of coffee drink will you try first?

Let's look at some iconic drink variations to see what they're all about:

• Café latte

• Cappuccino

• Irish coffee

• Iced coffee

• Iced oat milk shaken espresso

• Latte macchiato

• Espresso martini

• Affogato

• Americano

How to make an espresso at home

First things first. To make all of these different coffee drinks, you need to know how to make authentic espresso with a KitchenAid espresso machine. Here are the steps:

1. fill the water tank with fresh water and switch your machine on

2. the water will heat to the correct temperature

3. select your filter basket and press it into the portafilter

4. fill the filter basket with espresso grounds

5. tap the portafilter to level off the grounds and press them down firmly with the tamper

6. twist and lock the portafilter in place

7. select the dose – and go!

Café latte

Usually just called a ‘latte’, this is probably the most popular coffee drink there is. Its name comes from the Italian word for coffee with milk (caffè e latte). It’s made of a shot of espresso and steamed milk.

To finish off with style, why not try some latte art in that gorgeous foamy milk, for a true café experience? Our semi automatic espresso machine has a built-in steam wand ideal for making silky microfoam and you can then pour it higher and lower to create shapes on the surface.

Cappuccino

The cappuccino originated in Austria, called a ‘kapuziner’ due to the colour of the coffee drink resembling the colour of a Capuchin monk’s robes.

Today, a cappuccino is known for its 3 distinct layers of espresso, steamed milk and foam, often with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon on top. Firstly, the hot milk is poured over the espresso from a low height and then let the foam layer over the top.

Irish coffee

For the perfect Irish coffee in the evening, you’ll need piping hot espresso, sugar and Irish whiskey. Stir them together, combine in a toddy glass, and top it with thick cream that has not been whipped.

And remember, even if you don’t normally have sugar in coffee, it provides the buoyancy for the cream to float – the signature of the Irish coffee.

Iced coffee

Too delicious to save for summer, iced coffee is lovely, creamy and refreshing. But it’s easy to get wrong. If the espresso is too hot, the ice melts too quickly. Too cold and the sugar won’t dissolve.

Put your sugar in the cup before you pull your shot, add milk to cool the espresso, then add ice, and you’ve got yourself a perfect iced coffee.

Iced oat milk shaken espresso

Fancy a glorious espresso drink that’s non-dairy too? Once you’ve prepared a double shot of espresso with your favourite coffee beans, you can let it cool. Then, add some oat milk and homemade sugar syrup in a shaker. Serve in a tall glass with a bendy straw.  

Latte macchiato

This is a latte with the espresso poured on top to create a dark top layer, hence its name – which in Italian means ‘stained milk’.

To make it, instead of adding milk to the espresso, you add the espresso to the steamed milk – pouring slowly to get a gorgeous coffee layer. Finish off with foam on top.

Serve in a tall glass to show off your impressive layering.

Espresso macchiato

Vodka meets espresso in this popular pick-me-up. Always sumptuously silky, and served with a coffee bean or two on top! You can make your own by pouring a double espresso, coffee liqueur and vodka into a cocktail shaker. Always drink responsibly. 

Affogato

Decadent dessert… or just a treat to make you smile? Affogato translates to ‘drowned’ in Italian. It’s a big scoop of your favourite ice cream drowned in a double espresso. You can either sip it or eat it with a spoon. Either way, it’s a winner. 

Americano

The story goes that during World War II, US soldiers stationed in Italy found espresso too strong, so they added water, and the Americano was born.

A true Americano should have no crema, so if you add water to the espresso after pulling the shot, the crema mixes into the drink. But if you love your crema, do it the other way around (aka a Long Black).

Tips for making different types of coffee drinks

Whichever drink you decide to make, it will taste amazing if you:

• grind your own coffee beans for the freshest flavours, oils and aromas

• get the grind size just right for the drink you are making

• store and keep your coffee beans as fresh as possible

Get the basics right and you’re well on your way.

See the coffee grinder

Explore different types of coffee bean

While there are many types of espresso-based drink to sample, there are also a whole world of different coffee beans, roasts and regions to try. The climate and soil in the coffee-growing regions has an affect on the flavour profile, with everything from the rain to the altitude contributing to the taste.

From the earthy, herbal flavours of Asia to the floral notes of Africa to the nutty and chocolatey tones of Latin America, you’ll taste the difference in the final drink.

You can enjoy the full force of each profile with a single origin coffee, or find a delightful and well-balanced blend that suits your taste buds. Have fun experimenting.

Discover different types of coffee beans