How to make a cortado? Simple & Easy Cortado recipe (Espresso Drink): We all woke up from a hectic night of light sleep and looked for any drop of coffee we could find. In those days, attention is one thing: quantity. But not all experiences of drinking coffee should revolve around that prevailing “survival” attitude. After all, coffee can be a very sophisticated drink.
And although the Italians are recognized for their contribution to the world of coffee drinks, the Spaniards, the Portuguese, and the Latin Americans have their beautiful and balanced contribution: the cut. It’s still growing in popularity, so you may not find it in all the bars, but that’s why we’re here to do it alone, right?
What is Cortado Coffee?
Cortado is an Espresso drink, cut with a small amount of steamed milk. Originally from Spain, this drink is becoming a popular choice in cafes around the world. It shares functionality with Flat White and Macchiato, so it’s helpful to understand the subtle differences that can mean that you cancel some of your favorite drinks on the next order.
Steamed milk must create a micro-foam that does not separate from the espresso’s injection, unlike many other milk-based coffee drinks. Milk is used to reduce some of the espresso’s acidity here, or in the past, it was enough to sweeten a bitter and heavy espresso. Inauthentic Spanish coffees can also choose how to drink milk: very hot, hot, cold, or even using condensed milk.
The History of Cortado’s Origins
The word “cut” comes from the word “cut,” which is the Spanish verb that means “cut.” The cut has the correct name because the milk is intended to cut the espresso.
Furthermore, “cut” is the past participle of “cut” and refers to both the dilution of coffee and espresso drinks. After its creation in the Basque Country in Spain, the drink began to spread throughout the Galicia region, northern Portugal, and even Cuba.
The cut contains little or no foam, which is the main feature of most Spanish drinks. If you are a fan of the foam, don’t worry. The fact that the cut does not have much foam allows the milk to cut the espresso and mix as evenly as possible. The result? A delicious combination of powerful and robust espresso with creamy and light milk.
How to Make a Cortado Coffee: Simple & Easy Cortado Recipe
Since Cortado is an espresso-based drink, it is more associated with coffee than with a drunk style at home. However, for those lucky enough to have an espresso machine at home or for any budding barista, we ask one of Leeds’ best baristas, Rob Gordon, to walk us through the steps to make a cortado.
Ingredients for making Cortado Recipe:
- 2 Shots of Espresso
- 2 Ounces of Steamed Milk
- 1/4 oz Vanilla Syrup
- 1/4 oz Honey Syrup
Step by Step Preparation to Make Cortado Recipe
1. Make a shot of Espresso:
- Clean and dry the group handle and the filter basket to prepare the dosage of the ground coffee.
- Makes coffee based on the capacity of the filter basket.
- Distribute and position the coffee evenly in the filter basket.
- Use a vertical movement to squeeze the coffee until it stops giving way under pressure.
- Rinse the water through the group head to prepare the group for preparation.
- Gently insert the handle of the group and start the preparation.
- Measure and weigh the preparation, stopping in line with your recipe (a traditional cut would be a 1: 1 ratio, so maybe 40 ml of coffee to 40 ml of milk)
2. Steamed Milk:
- Fill your jug “‹”‹with milk (or an alternative to milk).
- Bleed the steam wand.
- Stretches (aerates) and texturizers (emulsifies) the milk.
- Touch the jar to check the temperature.
- Please take advantage of the trapped air bubbles and mix the steamed milk to prepare to pour your espresso over it.
Tip: consciously add less foam than other steamed milk drinks, as a Cortado is served in a shot glass.
3. Pour in the Milk and Serve:
- Pour the Milk over the Espresso (pre-measure the milk; it is tough to accurately add the correct quantity of milk for the 1:1 Ratio).
- If you’re feeling adventurous, try some works of art on milk.
Differences Between Cortado and other Favorite Coffee Drinks
It is important to note that through cutting it is a coffee drink, it is not interchangeable with any other coffee drink. We understand that there are many different coffee drinks to choose from, but there is no other brave drink like the cut one.
Cortado vs Macchiato/Cappuccino
In terms of a generic espresso drink, a cortado is similar and falls between a macchiato and a cappuccino. All of these drinks have the same amount of espresso, which generally affects a dose of espresso.
The main difference between these different drinks is the amount of milk used. Macchiato has a little less milk, making it slightly smaller in volume. As a result, Macchiato also has a little more strength. On the other hand, cappuccino has more milk and more foam. It is also slightly larger in volume and somewhat milder with caffeine.
Cortado vs Flat White
Another drink that slicing is often compared to is flat white. Although they have the same amount of espresso, the amount of milk varies slightly. Compared to the cortado, the flat white is more similar to coffee with milk. Both drinks have the same amount of espresso, but the flat white has more milk and is thicker than the cortado. Also, flat whites tend to have a little more talent in presentation, mostly being latte art.
Cortado vs Latte
This drink can also be easily confused with a latte. However, although this coffee drink has the same amount of espresso, it has much more milk. Since more steamed milk further dilutes espresso, lattes are not as potent in caffeine content as they are cortado into slices.
Cortado vs Gibraltar
Here is a small twist to the plot. Cortado and Gibraltar are the same drink, “Gibraltar” is just an underground name for it. The name “Gibraltar” actually originated in San Francisco, California, and was created by the Blue Bottle Coffee Company. Unlike the cut, Gibraltar takes its name from the cup in which it is served, the 4.5 ounces “Gibraltar” Libbey Glass.
Made by Libbey Glass Company, Gibraltar components and proportions are identical to the cortado; they only go through a different time. The middle name was born to house the glass in which Gibraltar is served. Over time, many third-wave cafes have become aware of this trend, and the name has spread mainly along the western coast of the United States.
Best Coffee for a Cortado
- The quality of a Cortado largely depends on the coffee beans used and the barista’s standard. Since coffee beans will play a decisive role in the flavors and flavors that appear in your Cortado, it is essential to select the appropriate coffee beans for this type of drink.
- To get started, try using coffee with chocolate and walnut profiles, such as our house blend or the Brazilian coffee mentioned above. This coffee type will provide richness and full-bodied coffee that will ensure that your Cortado does not disappoint.
- A Cortado is made from a photo of espresso, so choosing a coffee that offers excellent espresso is usually the best way to do it. Think of heavy-bodied coffees other than those with delicate flavors, as these flavors will quickly change or undergo some milk.
- Fruity coffees often don’t pair as well with milk-based drinks, as they can seem more bittersweet. These types of coffee are much more suitable for brewing methods such as V60 or Chemex.
Creating the perfect shot for espresso is both a science and an art, so if you need help to understand how to produce better espresso shots, do not hesitate to get in touch. Our dedicated Coffee Academy was created with the sole purpose of helping coffee lovers get more.
