Walking into a coffee shop for the first time can feel overwhelming. Menus are packed with unfamiliar names: Americano, lungo, espresso, flat white, Spanish latte, cortado, ristretto, macchiato, to name a few, and each drink seems only slightly different from the next.
Yet behind every coffee drink is a simple structure built around a few core ingredients and techniques. Once you understand those basics, coffee stops being confusing and starts becoming enjoyable.
This guide is designed for beginners and curious coffee drinkers who want a clear, no-nonsense explanation of the most common coffee types and drinks.
You’ll learn what defines a coffee drink, how espresso-based and milk-based drinks differ, and why two beverages made from the same coffee beans can taste completely different.
By the end, you’ll not only recognize the different types of coffee drinks, but also know exactly which one suits your taste.
Reference: Types of Coffee Beans and Roasts
What Defines a Coffee Drink?
Every coffee drink is defined by a combination of espresso, water, milk, foam, temperature, and ratios.
Most modern café drinks begin with espresso, a concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure. From there, drinks are modified by adding hot water, steamed milk, milk foam, or flavorings.
The ratio between espresso and these additions determines how strong, creamy, or diluted the drink becomes.
Milk plays a major role in texture and flavor. Steamed milk adds sweetness and body, microfoam creates a silky mouthfeel, and thick foam adds lightness.
Temperature—whether hot or iced—also affects how flavors are perceived, with hot drinks emphasizing aroma and iced drinks highlighting smoothness and refreshment.
Espresso-Based Coffee Drinks
Here are the common espresso-based drinks:
Espresso
Espresso is the base of most coffee drinks. It’s served as a small, concentrated shot with a bold flavor, rich aroma, and a golden crema on top.
Ristretto
A ristretto is a shorter espresso shot made with less water. It’s more concentrated, often sweeter, and less bitter than standard espresso.
Lungo
Lungo means “long.” This espresso uses more water during extraction, resulting in a larger, more diluted drink with slightly increased bitterness.
Americano
An Americano is espresso diluted with hot water. It resembles drip coffee in strength but maintains espresso’s depth and aroma.
Milk-Based Coffee Drinks
Although espresso is the base of most drinks, most have additional ingredients such as milk. Here are espresso drinks that contain milk:
Latte
A latte combines espresso with a large amount of steamed milk and a thin foam layer. It’s smooth, creamy, and ideal for beginners.
Cappuccino
Cappuccinos feature equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam, delivering a stronger coffee taste and airy texture.
Compare: Flat White Vs Cappuccino Vs Latte
Flat White
A flat white uses espresso and finely textured milk with minimal foam, offering a richer coffee flavor than a latte.
Cortado
A cortado balances espresso and warm milk in equal parts, reducing acidity while preserving boldness.
Macchiato
Traditionally, a macchiato is an espresso “marked” with a small amount of milk or foam, keeping it strong and intense.
Must Read: How to Make a Macchiato
Chocolate and Specialty Coffee Drinks
Another fantastic addition is chocolate: Here is a list of espresso drinks that are laced with chocolate paste or powder:
Mocha
A mocha blends espresso, milk, and chocolate for a rich, dessert-like experience.
White Mocha
Made with white chocolate, this drink is sweeter and creamier with less cocoa bitterness.
Flavored Coffee Drinks
These include coffee drinks enhanced with syrups like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut.
Hot vs Iced Coffee Drinks
While most coffee drinks are traditionally served hot, many have iced versions that offer a completely different experience. Temperature affects sweetness, acidity, and mouthfeel, which is why some drinks shine better over ice.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is typically hot-brewed coffee that’s cooled and poured over ice. It retains much of the acidity and aroma of hot coffee but delivers a refreshing finish. It’s commonly sweetened or mixed with milk.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12–24 hours. The result is smoother, less acidic, and naturally sweeter than iced coffee. Cold brew is often served black or with milk and flavored syrups.
Iced Lattes and Variations
Iced lattes are made with espresso, cold milk, and ice. Popular variations include iced vanilla lattes, iced caramel lattes, and iced mochas. These drinks maintain espresso intensity while offering a crisp, refreshing texture.
Traditional & International Coffee Drinks
Beyond café staples, many cultures have developed unique coffee drinks that reflect local tastes and traditions.
Turkish Coffee
Finely ground coffee is simmered with water (and often sugar) and served unfiltered. It’s bold, thick, and intensely aromatic.
Greek Coffee
Very similar to Turkish coffee, brewed slowly in a small pot and served with grounds settled at the bottom.
Café Cubano
A sweetened espresso from Cuba, made by whipping sugar with the first drops of espresso to create a thick foam.
Café con Leche
Popular in Spain and Latin America, this drink combines strong coffee with hot milk in roughly equal parts.
Viennese Coffee
Espresso topped with whipped cream instead of milk foam, offering richness without dilution.
Irish Coffee
A hot cocktail combining coffee, sugar, Irish whiskey, and lightly whipped cream.
Read: How to Make Espresso
Foam-Forward & Layered Coffee Drinks
Some drinks focus heavily on texture, layering, or presentation.
Café Breve
Similar to a latte but made with half-and-half instead of milk, resulting in a richer, creamier drink.
Café Bombón
A Spanish drink made with espresso and sweetened condensed milk, served in layers.
Galao
A Portuguese coffee similar to a latte but lighter, with more milk than espresso.
Red Eye
Drip coffee combined with one or more espresso shots for an extra caffeine boost.
Black Eye & Dead Eye
Stronger versions of the red eye, using two or three espresso shots, respectively.
Read: Coffee Beans and Roasts
Specialty, Modern & Non-Traditional Coffee Drinks
Modern coffee culture has expanded far beyond classic recipes.
Nitro Coffee
Cold brew infused with nitrogen gas, giving it a creamy mouthfeel and cascading foam without milk.
Affogato
A dessert-style coffee made by pouring hot espresso over vanilla ice cream.
Dalgona Coffee
A whipped coffee drink made popular online, combining instant coffee, sugar, and water over milk.
Butter Coffee
Coffee blended with butter and sometimes MCT oil, known for its rich texture and high-fat content.
How to Choose the Right Coffee Drink for You
With so many coffee drinks available, choosing the right one can feel intimidating—especially for beginners. The good news is that most decisions come down to a few personal preferences.
By understanding how flavor, milk, strength, sweetness, and temperature affect a drink, you can confidently select a coffee that matches your taste and lifestyle.
Flavor Preference
Your flavor tolerance is the best place to start. If you enjoy bold, intense, and slightly bitter flavors, espresso-based drinks with little dilution—such as espresso, ristretto, or macchiato—are ideal.
If you prefer smoother, more balanced flavors often gravitate toward Americanos, flat whites, or cortados, where intensity is softened without losing character.
Milk Tolerance and Creaminess
Milk dramatically changes a coffee’s body and sweetness. Lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas are excellent for drinkers who enjoy creamy textures and a softer coffee profile.
If you’re lactose-sensitive or prefer a lighter feel, black coffee, Americanos, cold brew, or plant-based milk alternatives may suit you better.
Coffee Strength and Caffeine Needs
Not all strong-tasting drinks are high in caffeine, and not all mild drinks are weak. Espresso drinks taste intense but are served in smaller volumes, while drip coffee and cold brew often contain more caffeine overall.
If you need a boost, red eyes or cold brew are practical options, while milk-heavy drinks offer a gentler lift.
Sweetness and Flavor Additions
Some coffee drinks are naturally sweet, while others rely on added flavors. Mochas, white mochas, café bombón, and flavored lattes appeal to those who enjoy dessert-like beverages.
If you prefer minimal sweetness, stick to traditional espresso drinks or lightly sweetened milk-based options.
Temperature and Drinking Experience
Temperature plays a surprising role in enjoyment. Hot drinks highlight aroma and richness, making them comforting and full-bodied.
Iced and cold brew drinks feel cleaner and more refreshing, especially in warm climates, and tend to emphasize smoothness over acidity.
People Also Ask
Q: What are the main types of coffee drinks?
A: Coffee drinks generally fall into a few main categories: espresso-based drinks, milk-based drinks, brewed coffee drinks, iced and cold brew drinks, and specialty or international coffee drinks. Each category uses different ratios of coffee, water, milk, or foam, which is why they taste and feel distinct.
Q: Which coffee drink is the strongest?
A: In terms of flavor intensity, espresso and ristretto are the strongest coffee drinks. For caffeine content, cold brew and drip coffee usually contain more caffeine per serving due to their larger volume and longer extraction.
Q: What is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?
A: The difference lies in the milk-to-foam ratio. A latte has more steamed milk and minimal foam, making it creamier and milder, while a cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam, resulting in a stronger coffee taste and lighter texture.
Q: Are iced coffee and cold brew the same thing?
A: No. Iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled, which preserves acidity and aroma. Cold brew is steeped in cold water for many hours, producing a smoother, less acidic drink with a naturally sweet profile.
Q: What coffee drink is best for beginners?
A: Lattes, flat whites, and mochas are popular beginner-friendly options because milk or chocolate softens espresso’s bitterness. For those avoiding milk, Americanos and cold brew offer a smoother introduction to black coffee.
Conclusion
With the many types of coffee drinks, making a wise choice may appear complex on the surface, but every drink—no matter how specialized—comes from the same fundamental building blocks.
Espresso, water, milk, foam, temperature, and ratios work together to create an enormous variety of flavors, textures, and experiences.
Once you understand how these elements interact, coffee menus become far less intimidating and far more enjoyable.
This guide serves as a complete reference for all major coffee types and drinks, from classic espresso-based beverages to milk-forward favorites, international traditions, and modern specialty creations.
Whether you prefer bold and intense flavors, smooth and creamy textures, sweet indulgent drinks, or refreshing iced options, there is a coffee drink designed to match your taste.
As you explore further, this pillar page can act as your starting point—helping you identify drinks you enjoy and guiding you toward deeper, individual guides on each coffee style.
Coffee is ultimately personal, and the best drink is the one that fits your preference, routine, and moment. With the right knowledge, every cup becomes a confident choice—not a guess.