ESPRESSO + MILK FAMILY
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is espresso and steamed milk in roughly equal parts, topped with a thick layer of foam and served in a small cup. That airy foam cap and smaller size make it bolder and more coffee-forward than a latte.
- Cup size
- 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
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Flat White
In the cup
What's in a Cappuccino
The classic cappuccino balances espresso and steamed milk in roughly equal measure, then crowns them with a thick, airy layer of foam. That foam cap is what sets the drink apart: it sits above the coffee and milk as a lighter topping rather than a third equal share, giving the cappuccino its cloud-like top and a distinctive texture as you drink down through the foam to the espresso below.
Because it uses much less milk than a latte and packs it into a smaller cup, the cappuccino keeps the espresso firmly in view. It tastes bolder and more balanced, a real conversation between the coffee and the milk rather than a mild wash of milk with coffee somewhere underneath. Traditionally it is a morning drink, dusted with cocoa in some cafes and enjoyed while the foam is still tall.
If a latte is milk with espresso and a flat white is espresso with milk, the cappuccino is the balanced middle: even parts espresso and milk under plenty of foam, with a taste that lands squarely between mellow and strong.
- START HERECappuccino
- Latte
- Flat White
How it's built
- 2 oz espresso
- + 2 oz steamed milk
- + thick foam
- Cappuccino5-6 oz
Ordering a Cappuccino
At the counter
A cappuccino arrives hot in a small cup under a deep, spoonable cap of foam. This is the drink with the classic counter modifiers: order it wet for more steamed milk and a softer, latte-like feel, or dry for less milk and even more foam. Some cafes dust the top with cocoa.
- Cup size
- 5-6 oz
- Served
- Hot
Make it at home
Making a Cappuccino at home
- Pull a shot of espresso into a small cup.
- Build plenty of foam: with no steam wand, shake warm milk hard in a sealed jar until it doubles, then let it settle.
- Pour in a little milk, then spoon the thick foam on top, aiming for roughly equal parts coffee and milk under a generous cap of foam.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino is an espresso drink made of roughly equal parts espresso and steamed milk, topped with a thick layer of foam and served in a small cup. The generous foam cap and smaller size make it taste bolder and more balanced than a milkier latte.
What's in a Cappuccino / what's the ratio?
A Cappuccino is 2 oz espresso, 2 oz steamed milk, thick foam in a 5-6 oz cup - roughly equal parts espresso and steamed milk, topped with a thick layer of foam.
Is a Cappuccino strong?
On our concentration scale, a Cappuccino rates 4/5. Strength here means how concentrated the coffee tastes - not how much caffeine is in the cup.
How is a Cappuccino different from a Latte?
A latte uses the same espresso but a lot more steamed milk and only a thin layer of foam, in a bigger cup. That makes a latte milder and creamier, while a cappuccino, with less milk and a thick foam cap, tastes bolder and more coffee-forward.
Is a Cappuccino hot or iced?
Traditionally hot. A Cappuccino is served warm, not over ice.
How much caffeine is in a Cappuccino?
Around 126 mg is typical for a Cappuccino, 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.