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If you have a coffee station set up at home, then you are already likely enjoying espresso better than what you can get at fancy coffee shops. A shot of rich, strong espresso is a great way to start the day or finish a meal. However, why stop at just drinking shots of espresso?

Espresso can be the base for many coffee drinks and even cocktails. If you have an espresso machine at home, you can make these delicious beverages yourself. It could be a bean to cup machine or even a Nespresso Vertuo. With any of these, you can start making some delicious espresso beverages yourself. In this article, we will give you a few to think about. 

1. Macchiato and Cappuccino 

The macchiato is a simple espresso-based drink loved for its strong coffee flavor with just a touch of milk. The name of the macchiato, which means “stained” in Italian, describes how the espresso is lightly topped with milk.

To make a traditional macchiato, first brew a shot of espresso. While that’s brewing, froth a small amount of milk until it’s more foam than liquid. Once the espresso is ready, pour it into a small cup and gently add a spoonful of the frothed milk on top of the espresso.

Just like a macchiato, a standard cappuccino begins with a shot of espresso as the base. A similar volume of steamed milk follows this, which adds creaminess and smoothness to the drink. It’s not as strong as a macchiato since there is a higher milk to espresso ratio. 

2. Flat White

The flat white is a popular coffee drink known for its creamy texture and strong coffee taste. It originated in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s as a smoother alternative to the frothy cappuccinos available at the time.

A flat white is similar to a latte but has more coffee and less milk, which gives it a stronger coffee flavor. Unlike a cappuccino or latte, the milk in a flat white is steamed to create a very fine foam without the thick, frothy layer. This makes the drink creamy and smooth, blending the milk and espresso closely together.

The milk should be steamed to a smooth, shiny finish with very small bubbles. It should look glossy and integrate well with the espresso, not separate like in frothy cappuccinos.

3. Seasonal Variations

Adding flavors like syrups and spices to your espresso can make your coffee more exciting and personalized. Whether you enjoy the sweet tastes of vanilla and caramel or the holiday flavor of pumpkin spice, these additions can transform your everyday coffee and can change with the seasons.

It’s really easy to flavor your espresso. You can buy syrups from the store, or make them at home by mixing sugar, water, and your favorite flavors. For spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, you can either mix them into your coffee grounds before brewing or sprinkle them on top of your finished drink for extra flavor.

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