ESPRESSO + MILK FAMILY
Caffè Breve
A breve is an espresso drink made like a latte but with steamed half-and-half instead of milk, giving it a rich, creamy, almost dessert-like body. It is the most indulgent of the everyday espresso-and-milk drinks.
- Cup size
- 4.5-6 oz
- Served
- Hot
- Strength
- 4 / 5 (concentration, not caffeine)
- Caffeine
- ~126 mg typical
The caffeine comes from the 2 oz of espresso, not the milk or the cup size, so a bigger serving with the same espresso carries about the same amount.
WHERE IT SITS
- Caffè Breve
- Latte
In the cup
What's in a Caffè Breve
A breve is made much like a latte - espresso under steamed dairy - but it differs in more than one way. It swaps the milk for half-and-half, an even blend of whole milk and cream; it uses much less dairy; and it is served in a smaller cup. Half-and-half steams into a denser, silkier foam and coats the tongue in a way that milk never quite does, giving the breve a thick, custard-like body and a natural sweetness before you add any sugar.
The trade-off is richness. A breve is heavier and more filling than almost any other espresso drink, which is why many people treat it as a slow, sit-down indulgence rather than an everyday cup. The cream rounds off every rough edge in the cup, so it drinks soft and luxurious, closer to a light dessert than a morning coffee.
The breve is an American cafe creation rather than a European classic, and you will usually find it on specialty menus rather than traditional Italian ones. If a latte ever feels a little thin and you want something closer to a treat, the breve is the drink to reach for.
- START HERECaffè Breve
- Latte
How it's built
- 2 oz espresso
- + 2 oz half-and-half
- + thin foam
- Caffè Breve4.5-6 oz
Ordering a Caffè Breve
At the counter
A breve is made with steamed half-and-half instead of milk, so it arrives hot, thick, and rich. You will mostly find it on specialty menus rather than traditional ones, so you may need to ask for it by name. Some cafes call it a breve latte.
- Cup size
- 4.5-6 oz
- Served
- Hot
Make it at home
Making a Caffè Breve at home
- Pull a shot or two of espresso.
- Warm half-and-half instead of milk and steam or whisk it to a dense, silky foam - it froths thicker than milk.
- Pour it over the shot; the cream gives the drink its rich, custard-like body.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is a Caffè Breve?
A breve is an espresso drink made like a latte but with steamed half-and-half in place of milk. The blend of milk and cream gives it a thick, rich, custard-like body, making it the most indulgent and dessert-like of the espresso-and-milk drinks.
What's in a Caffè Breve / what's the ratio?
A Caffè Breve is 2 oz espresso, 2 oz half-and-half, thin foam in a 4.5-6 oz cup - espresso under steamed half-and-half instead of milk.
Is a Caffè Breve strong?
On our concentration scale, a Caffè Breve rates 4/5. Strength here means how concentrated the coffee tastes - not how much caffeine is in the cup.
How is a Caffè Breve different from a Latte?
A latte uses a lot of steamed milk in a tall cup, which keeps it light and everyday. A breve trades that milk for half-and-half, a blend of milk and cream, and uses much less of it in a smaller cup - so it is noticeably richer and thicker, and the espresso comes through more clearly. The shot is the same in both; the dairy, the amount, and the cup are what change.
Is a Caffè Breve hot or iced?
Traditionally hot. A Caffè Breve is served warm, not over ice.
How much caffeine is in a Caffè Breve?
Around 126 mg is typical for a Caffè Breve, scaled from USDA's measured figure for espresso rather than measured in the cup. It is approximate - the real amount shifts with the beans, the roast, and the pour.