Starbucks Espresso Macchiato Sizes, Prices, Calories, Ingredients and Nutrition 2024
The Espresso Macchiato is a classic coffee drink. It is perfect for people who like strong, bold flavors. A small amount of milk adds a hint of creaminess. It embodies simplicity and intensity. This makes it great for both experienced coffee lovers and beginners. This guide will explain how to prepare an Espresso Macchiato traditionally. It will also discuss size, price, and calories. You will learn about modern variations, like the Starbucks Caramel Macchiato. Additionally, it will compare it to other coffee drinks. You’ll find tips for making it at home, too.
What is an Espresso Macchiato?
An Espresso Macchiato is an Italian coffee drink. It has one or two shots of espresso. A small amount of steamed milk or foam on top. The term “macchiato” means “stained” in Italian, reflecting this simple preparation. It has a bold coffee flavor with a hint of creaminess. This makes it perfect for people who love the strong taste of espresso. It doesn’t dilute the flavor like larger milk-based drinks do. The single version has one shot of espresso. The doppio version has two shots. This gives it a stronger flavor and more caffeine.
What’s Included in a Espresso Macchiato?
An Espresso Macchiato is all about simplicity. You don’t need fancy syrups or extra ingredients here. The beauty of this drink lies in the quality of the espresso. It also comes from the simplicity of its ingredients. Here’s what goes into it:
- Espresso: This is the base of the drink, giving it that rich, deep coffee flavor.
- Milk foam: Small dollop of foamed milk goes on top of the espresso.
That’s it! No extra sugar, no whipped cream, just pure espresso goodness with a tiny touch of foam. It’s a drink for the coffee purists.
How to Make an Espresso Macchiato
Making an espresso macchiato at home is simple. But, you need the right tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Pull the Espresso Shots: Use a high-quality espresso machine. It will help you make a single or doppio shot of espresso.
- Prepare the Milk: Steam a small amount of milk until it forms a light foam or is slightly heated.
- Assemble the Drink: Spoon a small amount of the steamed milk or foam onto the espresso, “marking” the coffee. The foam should be light and creamy to complement the espresso’s richness.
For a richer variation, try almond milk or other milk alternatives. They add unique flavors to the drink.
Espresso Macchiato at Starbucks
Starbucks has its own version of the espresso macchiato. It follows the traditional Italian method. Many people confuse it with the popular Caramel Macchiato. This drink is completely different. The Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks has steamed milk, vanilla syrup, and espresso shots. It also has a drizzle of caramel on top. This makes it much sweeter and larger than a simple espresso macchiato.
Espresso Macchiato vs Caramel Macchiato
The main difference is their size and taste. An espresso macchiato is a small, strong coffee with just a bit of milk. Meanwhile, a caramel macchiato is bigger and sweeter, made mostly with milk. It’s often served iced as well.
Comparing Espresso Macchiato to Other Coffee Drinks
To appreciate the espresso macchiato. it helps to compare it to other popular espresso drinks:
Espresso Macchiato vs Cortado
A cortado has equal parts espresso and steamed milk. This creates a creamier and more balanced drink. Meanwhile, an espresso macchiato is much more intense, with only a small amount of milk added.
Espresso Macchiato vs Cappuccino
A cappuccino has a lot more steamed milk and foam. This makes it lighter and creamier. Meanwhile, the macchiato has a much stronger espresso flavor.
Shaken Espresso vs Macchiato
shaken espresso, shake espresso shots with ice and sweetener. This creates a cold, frothy drink. Meanwhile, An espresso macchiato is hot and only has a small dash of milk.
What’s the Difference Between an Espresso Macchiato and Other Macchiatos?
Don’t confuse the Espresso Macchiato with the Caramel Macchiato. You can find the Caramel Macchiato on the Starbucks menu. They are totally different drinks! The Espresso Macchiato is a traditional drink. It is simple and made with just espresso and a small amount of milk foam. Meanwhile, The Caramel Macchiato is more like a dessert drink. It contains vanilla syrup, steamed milk, and caramel sauce drizzled on top.
The Espresso Macchiato is for people who want a quick, strong coffee. The Caramel Macchiato is for those who want a sweet, creamy treat. Big difference!
That’s it! No extra sugar, no whipped cream, just pure espresso goodness with a tiny touch of foam. It’s a drink for the coffee purists.
Variations of the Espresso Macchiato
There are several ways to enjoy an espresso macchiato, depending on your preferences:
Caramel Macchiato with Espresso
Adding caramel syrup to the espresso macchiato makes it sweeter. This version still keeps the strong coffee flavor while adding a sweetness.
Iced Caramel Macchiato
This version is popular in summer months. It serves the caramel macchiato over ice with cold milk and caramel syrup.
Sizes, Prices And Calories
A typical espresso macchiato has about 15-30 calories. The calorie count depends on the type and amount of milk used. It’s a simple drink, but it comes in smaller sizes. This is because it is more concentrated than other Starbucks beverages.
| Sizes | Prices | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (0.8 fl oz) | $3.65 | 10 |
| Doppio (1.6 fl oz) | $3.87 | 15 |
| Triple (2.3 fl oz) | $4.08 | 20 |
| Quad (3.1 fl oz) | $4.41 | 25 |
Note: Prices may vary slightly depending on the location
Because there’s so little milk involved, the calorie count stays really low. If you’re someone who likes to keep an eye on their intake, the Espresso Macchiato is a great choice!
Ingredients
The Espresso Macchiato is made with the following ingredients:
- Brewed Espresso
- Milk
Nutrition Information
The Espresso Macchiato is one of the lightest drinks on the Starbucks menu. Here’s the nutrition breakdown for Solo (1 shot of espresso) and Doppio (2 shots of espresso):
| Nutrition | Short (8 oz) | Tall (12 oz) | Grande (16 oz) | Venti (20 oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g | 2 g | 3 g | 4 g |
| Protein | 0 g | 1 g | 1 g | 2 g |
| Caffeine | 75 mg** | 150 mg** | 225 mg** | 300 mg** |
** Caffeine is an approximate value.↩
For a Doppio Espresso Macchiato, use two shots with foam. This gives you about 15-30 calories and 150 mg of caffeine. This drink is great if you want something that’s high in flavor but low in calories and sugar. Plus, it gives you that quick caffeine boost when you need it!
Customization Options: Make It Your Own
The Espresso Macchiato is a simple drink, but you can easily customize it at Starbucks. Here are some ways to make it your own:
Add more foam: Want a little more creaminess? You can ask for extra foam, which still keeps the drink light but adds a bit more texture.
Try different milk: You don’t have to stick with regular milk foam. You can swap it out for almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk foam if you prefer non-dairy options.
Extra espresso shots: Need more caffeine? No problem! You can add more espresso shots for a stronger drink. Just keep in mind that each shot has about 75mg of caffeine.
Sweeten it up: If you want your coffee sweeter, you can ask for a syrup, like vanilla or caramel. You can also add a packet of sugar. It’s still light, but with a hint of sweetness.
Less milk or no foam: If you want your macchiato even stronger, you can ask for no foam at all or just a tiny amount. This will give you a more intense espresso flavor.
Best Espresso Machines for Making Macchiatos
To make the perfect espresso macchiato or caramel macchiato at home. you need a good espresso machine. The Breville Barista Express and DeLonghi Magnifica are popular machines. They are great for home baristas. They make high-quality espresso shots and can steam milk to the right thickness.
Why Coffee Lovers Adore It
So, why do so many people love the Espresso Macchiato? There are plenty of reasons, but here are a few that stand out:
- It’s quick and easy: You get a strong coffee experience without having to commit to a big drink. It’s perfect for when you want a fast, flavorful boost.
- It’s all about the espresso: If you love the taste of pure espresso and want a bit of creaminess, this drink is for you. It doesn’t hide the coffee flavor behind a ton of milk or sugar.
- It’s light but energizing: With just a small amount of milk and foam, the Espresso Macchiato keeps things light. It’s not too filling, but it still gives you that caffeine boost when you need it.
- Low in calories: If you’re looking for a coffee drink that’s low in calories, this one is a winner. Even with two shots of espresso, you’re still staying under 30 calories!
Fun Facts About the Espresso Macchiato
The Espresso Macchiato is a traditional Italian drink. It comes from Italy, where coffee focuses on simplicity and strong flavors. Italians often drink coffee in smaller portions. That’s why the macchiato is usually served in a smaller cup.
It’s different from a latte macchiato: Don’t confuse the Espresso Macchiato with a Latte Macchiato! The Latte Macchiato is mostly steamed milk with a little espresso. The Espresso Macchiato is mostly espresso with just a bit of milk foam. They’re almost opposites!
It’s a perfect intro to espresso: If you’re new to espresso, the Espresso Macchiato is a great choice. It’s an easy way to start. You get the bold coffee flavor, but the milk foam softens it just enough.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Try it
The Espresso Macchiato is one of those drinks that’s simple, but totally satisfying. Whether you’re a coffee newbie or a seasoned espresso lover, this little drink packs a lot of flavor into a small cup. It’s quick, bold, and energizing. It’s perfect for when you need a fast caffeine boost without extra sugar or heavy milk.
So, Next time you’re at Starbucks or your favorite coffee shop, try the Espresso Macchiato. It’s simple and delicious. It might just become your new go-to coffee order!