Latte Macchiato

A macchiato is a shot of espresso “marked” or “stained” with a small amount of milk. That’s the original Italian definition — and that’s where the simplicity ends. Today, the word “macchiato” describes three very different drinks: a 2-ounce espresso-forward Italian original, a 6-ounce milk-forward layered drink, and a sweet 12-ounce flavored Starbucks creation. They all share the name. They are very different drinks. This guide explains exactly what a macchiato is in 2026, why the same word describes three drinks, what’s in each version, where the name comes from, the caffeine math, and how to order what you actually want. ...

“Macchiato” means “stained” in Italian — and that single word describes two very different drinks depending on what gets stained. In the original Italian tradition, an espresso macchiato is espresso stained with milk. In the more modern interpretation, a latte macchiato is milk stained with espresso. They look different, taste different, and are assembled differently. Both are easy to make at home once you understand the logic. This guide covers both. For the broader definitional context — the etymology of “macchiato,” the three drinks that share the name (including the Starbucks caramel macchiato), and how the macchiato fits into the wider espresso drink family — see our what is a macchiato guide. ...