Top 10 Types of Coffee Drinks to Start Your Day

A collage of different types of coffee drinks

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Some people prefer to drink light and refreshing latte, while others want a more robust espresso. No matter your preference, there is a coffee drink out there for you!

Check out our list of the ten best types of coffee drinks and find your new favorite morning brew. Whether you like a sweetened latte or an espresso with a shot of cream, we’ve got you covered.

Breve

Breve is a high volume, low-pressure brewing method which creates a vibrant and flavorful brew. The fine ground coffee grinds are placed into a filter basket with cold water flowing through it to create what many would call the epitome of espresso coffee.

It is a vegan, dairy-free alternative to cream in coffee and espresso. Beyond just having desirable taste and texture, it’s also an indulgent upgrade for pastries like pastry puffs or profiteroles.

This coffee drink is made with half espresso and half steamed milk. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a subtle sweetness. Breve is often served in specialty coffee shops and can also be made at home with a high-quality brewing machine.

Cortado

Cortado was originally created in the early 1900s in Spain, and its name comes from the Spanish word for “cut.” The drink is typically made by pouring espresso into a cup and adding an equal amount of steamed milk. Cortado can also be made with cold milk (in which case it is called a cortadito). Unlike many other coffee drinks, a cortado is not overly sweet or creamy. Instead, it has a slightly bitter flavor that is balanced out by adding milk. Cortado is also relatively easy to make, so it’s perfect for those new to the world of coffee.

Cold-brew

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 24-48 hours before filtering, resulting in a very mellow cup of joe. There is no heat, so the natural acids found in coffee are less pronounced than when making traditionally iced or hot coffees.

This mellow cup of Cold Brew is often enjoyed without cream or sweeteners to highlight its pure taste. Cold-brew is quickly becoming one of the most popular methods for making iced coffee, as it tends to be less bitter than hot brewed coffee and doesn’t require the use of ice cubes to cool it down.

Some people even enjoy drinking it hot, as the coffee doesn’t get as diluted when mixed with hot water. Adding milk or sweetener is always an option for those who like a creamier and sweeter iced coffee. The cold-brew concentrate can also be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, so you can have cold brew coffee ready whenever you want!

Café latte

A typical Cafe Latte is made with dry milk and finished with a thin foam layer. It can be served either hot or cold, depending on personal preferences.

You can purchase different flavors separately or add them to your drink while brewing. When choosing to buy the flavors separately, they typically go by adding flavoring in a syrup form after adding in your espresso shot at a 1:1 ratio (e.g., vanilla). Café latte is one of the most popular coffee drinks globally, and it can be found in cafes and restaurants all over the globe.

Turkish coffee

Turkish coffee is a type of coffee popular in many Middle Eastern countries. It is made by boiling the coffee beans with water, then sugar is added to it. The coffee is strained and served in a small cup called a fincan. Turkish coffee is known for its foam on the top, called kahve çıkarma. This foam is considered an essential part of the drink, and some people will even scrape it off and eat it!

It is brewed using a cezve, a special pot designed specifically for making Turkish coffee. The grinds are placed in the cezve, and hot water is added. When the coffee begins to foam, sugar is added, and then it is served in small cups. Turkish coffee has a unique flavor often enjoyed by those who appreciate strong coffees.

Red-eye

Red Eye gets its name because it is served “wide awake” or red-eyed. Red Eye drinks are often ordered by people who need to stay alert, such as truck drivers, pilots, and other professionals who work late hours.

The caffeine content in this drink is high, making it a popular choice for those who need an energy boost. It can be made with hot or cold coffee and is often served with cream and sugar but can also be served with whipped cream, flavored syrups, or milk. Red-eye is a caffeine rush that will give you the boost you need to start your day. The caffeine content in a typical Red Eye can be upwards of 400 milligrams, equivalent to two cups of regular coffee.

Café Cubano

Café Cubano can come from two different countries- it’s either from Peru or Mexico.

Mexican Cafe Cubano stands out because they add Cinnamon sticks into their mix, which provides a unique flavor compared with the Peruvian version that does not include cinnamon.

It also contains Sugar syrup and evaporated milk mixed in with chocolate powder which provides a sweet end to each sip–mmm! Each version uses a pot filter machine called Cafetera, but Mexican Cubano is made using mocha pots.

The flavors of this coffee are caramel-like and sweet, perfect for those who don’t like bitterness or acidity in their morning brews! This drink will be sure to wake you up with its rich flavor that brings out all the best notes in the coffee bean.

Americano

A European coffee that is typically made with double-strength espresso, water, and a dash of milk. The color of an Americano can range from dark brown to light brown and usually comes in a demitasse cup like most coffees. 

The official preparation for this coffee type is two shots of hot espresso (160ml), 25 ml cold water, 16 fluid ounces filtered water (approximately 290ml) cold milk up to 160 ml. It all amounts to around 680 ml per 8 ounces drink.

Espresso

Espresso is a type of coffee that is brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. The result is a thick, rich coffee with a layer of crema on the top. Espresso originated in Italy and consisted of a single 1oz serving, while the standard cup size for other types of coffee can be up to 16oz.

Espresso became so popular because it tastes great during meals. The only ingredients used are water and finely ground roast, making it a relatively healthy way for people to enjoy their beverage. Espresso also has one-fourth the caffeine content as regular brew coffee does.

Espresso machines have different specifications, each with its features that will determine how well your cups come out from mixed dark roasted beans with steamed milk or even sweetened dessert topping like caramel syrup.

Espresso is made from a blend of coffee beans that are roasted together. The darker they’re toasted, means more flavor will come out when brewed; lighter roasts often taste lighter than dark ones with less bitterness due to their lack of Maillard reaction. Espresso blends are designed to make a balanced cup with a broad range of flavors, whereas coffee beans roasted for filter or plunger brewing can vary in taste.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee drink that was originally developed in Italy. The name comes from the Capuchin friars, known for their distinctive hoods and robes. A cappuccino consists of one-third of espresso, steamed milk, and one-third of foam. It is traditionally served in a demitasse cup.

Cappuccinos are also often flavored with chocolate or cinnamon. Its rich and creamy flavor comes from the mix between the unsweetened cocoa powder and milk and sugar. The thickness is usually ascertained by how much skim milk is mixed with whole milk to create the many layers within this deliciously chocolatey beverage.