Most coffee drinkers can relate to the scene. You've finally made it to the front of the queue at a coffee shop you've not visited before, and mild panic sets in as you try to figure out the difference between a Caramel Macchiato and a Caramel Mocha Cloud Frappuccino.
You continue to hesitate, squinting at the board, frantically attempting to read each description, when someone behind you sighs just loud enough to make sure you hear it. You make a snap decision and walk away with an Americano that you didn't really want.
For newer coffee drinkers in particular, walking into a coffee shop can present to a baffling array of options and at a fiver or more for just one drink, choosing something you end up hating is an expensive mistake you'll want to avoid.
So we've put together a proper, no-jargon, straight talking guide to the coffees you'll typically find in UK coffee shops. We explain what's usually in them, how they're made, and how to ask for exactly what you want without any of the uncertainty or faff.
Screen grab it, take a photo of it or download it and use it as a handy reference to help you order with maximum swag.
Espresso
A single espresso is roughly a 30ml shot of pure, concentrated coffee, pulled by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under pressure. No milk, no water added, nothing to hide behind.
If you want it even more of a kick, ask for a double espresso which gives you two shots of the good stuff.
An espresso is always drunk as it is, once you add anything else to it, it becomes a different drink entirely and It's the base ingredient for almost every other drink on this list, which is why getting it right matters more than people think.
Americano
Take an espresso (usually a double), add hot water and you've got an Americano. Think of it as a longer espresso. It's not a weaker coffee, it's the same coffee, it's just diluted with water - so you still get the full flavour of the espresso, but in a bigger, less intense cup.
It's a good middle ground if you like the taste of black coffee but find straight espresso a bit much. Whilst an Americano is typically drunk black, most coffee shops will ask if you want it with milk on the side.
Latte
This is the gentle giant of the coffee world, and it's the drink most people who say they "don't really like strong coffee" actually enjoy.
A latte is a single or double shot of espresso topped with a generous amount of steamed milk, finished with a thin layer of foam, usually about 5mm or so. The ratio is roughly one part coffee to three parts milk, so it's mild, smooth and easy to drink.
Order a latte if you like mild, milky drinks. Lattes are also popular with those who enjoy adding flavour shots, typically vanilla, caramel or hazelnut.
Cappuccino
Often confused with a latte, but the difference comes down to the milk. A cappuccino uses the same single or double shot of espresso, but with equal parts steamed milk and a much thicker layer of foam, roughly a third coffee, a third milk, a third foam.
That extra foam gives it a lighter, airier texture and a slightly stronger coffee taste per sip, since there's less liquid milk diluting things.
It's also traditionally dusted with a little cocoa powder or cinnamon on top, though that's more of a flourish than a rule.
Flat White
This is the one that genuinely confuses people, because on paper it just sounds like a latte. A flat white is a double espresso shot with steamed milk and a very thin layer of microfoam - thinner than a latte's foam - and served in a smaller cup.
The ratio is roughly one part coffee to two parts milk, noticeably less milk than a latte's one-to-three, which is exactly why it tastes stronger despite looking similar. The result is a stronger, more coffee-forward drink than a latte, with a velvety, almost glossy texture on top rather than a frothy one.
It's a relatively recent addition to UK menus, only really taking off here from the mid-2000s onwards, but it's now a fixture at every major chain.
Mocha
Essentially a latte with chocolate added, usually chocolate syrup or powder stirred in with the espresso before the steamed milk goes on top. For the bouqie, a mocha can be finished with whipped cream and a dusting of chocolate.
Think of it as the drink for those that want the best of both worlds, the kick of coffee and a comfort of hot chocolate.
Did you know? The Starbucks-style caramel macchiato most people in the UK are familiar with isn't really a macchiato at all. It's built almost backwards from the traditional version. In Italy, a macchiato is simply an espresso "marked" with just a dash of milk foam (the word literally means "stained"). The caramel macchiato you'll find on a UK chain menu, on the other hand, is built milk-first, with the espresso poured over the top and caramel drizzled on last making it much closer to a flavoured latte than the strong little espresso-led drink it's named after.
Macchiato
Speaking of which, the traditional macchiato, properly made, is one of the strongest and least milky drinks on this list, despite its reputation (largely earned by the chains) as something sweet and creamy.
A proper macchiato is a shot of espresso with just a small dash of milk foam on top - nowhere near enough to soften the coffee, just enough to take the very sharpest edge off it.
If you order a "macchiato" at most UK chains, you'll likely get the sweeter, milkier, syrup-laden version instead, so it's worth specifying if you want the traditional one.
To get the proper version, you may need to request "an espresso macchiato" which should result in the traditional, coffee-forward version or just a "macchiato" if you're happy with the sweeter chain version.
Cortado
Less common, but increasingly popping up at independent coffee shops, a cortado is equal parts espresso and steamed milk, with little to no foam.
It's a coffee that's smaller and stronger than a flat white, but with enough milk to round off the espresso's sharpness. It sits neatly between a macchiato and a flat white in terms of strength.
Did you know? In Italy, cappuccino is considered very much a morning drink, and you won't find many Italians ordering one after about 11am. It's not an actual rule, and no barista will refuse to serve you one, but a cappuccino is regarded as a "mini meal" of sorts, traditionally paired with a light breakfast pastry - Italians tend to find a milk-heavy drink a bit much after lunch. From late morning onwards, most switch to a straight espresso instead. So if you want to order like a local on your next trip to Italy, save the cappuccino for breakfast only.
What Should You Actually Order?
Strong & simple
If you like things strong and simple then you can't go wrong with an espresso or Americano.
Mild & milky
If you like things milder, smoothe and milky choose a latte.
In between
If you want something in between choose a cappuccino or flat white.
Caffeine & comfort
If you've got a sweet tooth and love chocolate, go for a mocha.
Maximim flavour
If you want maximum coffee flavour with minimum milk, choose a macchiato or cortado.
And if you'd rather skip the queue altogether and enjoy your coffee of choice at home, exactly the way you like it check out our range of delicious origin coffee beans or for soemthing different, check out our flavoured coffees and play around with different grind sizes and milk ratios at home until you find your go-to brew.
No queue, no rush and no awkward hesitations while the person in the queue behind you sighs.
