Cortado coffee: Strong but civilised
The strength and charm of Spain in a glass.
Equipment
- 1 Coffee grinder
- 1 Espresso machine or coffee maker
- 1 Milk frother or blender/whisk
- 1 milk jug
- 1 glass or mug
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso
- 2 oz milk
- 1-2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- With an espresso machine, brew a double shot of espresso and pour it into a cortado glass. If you're using a French press or an AeroPress, brew 18-20 grams of coffee (about 2 tablespoons).
- While the espresso is brewing, it's time to foam the milk. Heat 1/2 cup of milk in the microwave or a saucepan on the stove until it's hot but not boiling. You will only need 2 ounces of milk, but it's difficult to froth such a small amount.
- Once the espresso has brewed, pour it into a small glass which holds 4.25 ounces of liquid.
- Add equal amounts (2 ounces) of steamed milk and foam and stir through gently to combine.
- Addany sugar or other sweetener you want to use.
Notes
Top Tips for Making a Cortado Coffee
Freshly grind your coffee beans just before you brew the espresso. This will ensure that your coffee is full of flavor. When making a cafe cortado with dairy milk, I prefer whole milk. This gives a creamier texture with a rich taste. My favorite dairy-free milk is oat milk. it foams as well as whole cow's milk and has a slightly sweet and creamy oaty taste. The ratio of espresso to milk is 1:1, and the coffee is served in a small cup - a double shot of espresso coffee (2 ounces) with 2 ounces of steamed milk. While the espresso is brewing steam the milk to a light frothy texture. If you don't have a steam wand or milk frother, heat cows milk in a microwave to 140-155°F (60-68°C). If you prefer non-dairy milk heat in a microwave to 140-145°F (60-63°C). Once the milk reaches the correct temperature use a whisk or blender to create a light froth. Pour the 2 shots of espresso into a small glass (it needs to hold 2 shots of espresso (about 2oz) and 2oz of steamed milk and froth, with just a little space to stir in any sugar or other sweetener. You can even buy cortado glasses, which are thick-walled 4 1/4oz glasses. The thick glass helps keep the coffee warm so you can enjoy drinking it. Cortado coffee is often mistaken for a Latte or a Flat white, but those are quite different. It is made with less milk than both Lattes and Flat whites. So, cafe Cortado tastes stronger and less sweet than Flat white coffee and Lattes. A Spanish Cortado has more in common with its first cousin the Italian Macchiato - they both use 2 shots of strong espresso, but a cortado has twice as much milk as a macchiato. It's a small drink that packs a punch of flavor and texture - do not expect a long creamy coffee!Nutrition
Calories: 55kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 30mgPotassium: 154mgSugar: 7gVitamin A: 92IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 0.1mg
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.
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