Every Type Of Coffee Drink – A Well-Brewed List

Affogato

Affogato is a delightful Italian dessert that marries the warmth of coffee with the chill of ice cream.

  • Defining Characteristics: Espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine and ice cream
  • Flavor Profile: Rich coffee flavor with the sweetness and creaminess of ice cream
  • Best For: Those looking for a sweet coffee treat
  • Avoid If: You’’re not in the mood for a dessert

Americano

Americano bridges the gap between espresso and drip coffee, offering the best of both worlds.

  • Defining Characteristics: Espresso diluted with hot water
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine
  • Flavor Profile: Similar to drip coffee but with the nuances of espresso
  • Best For: Those who like a milder espresso drink or a richer drip coffee
  • Avoid If: You prefer milk-based espresso drinks

Blended Coffee

Blended coffees are perfect for sipping on a hot day, offering a cool, refreshing twist on the traditional.

  • Defining Characteristics: Coffee mixed with ice and other ingredients like chocolate, syrups, or whipped cream
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires a blender
  • Flavor Profile: Varies based on ingredients; can be sweet and dessert-like
  • Best For: Warm days and when you want a coffee treat
  • Avoid If: You’re looking for a traditional coffee flavor

Cafe de Olla

Café de Olla is a warm and comforting brew, reminiscent of traditional Mexican flavors.

  • Defining Characteristics: Traditional Mexican coffee brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar)
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires a pot, traditionally a clay pot
  • Flavor Profile: Sweet, spiced, and rustic
  • Best For: Those who enjoy spiced and aromatic beverages
  • Avoid If: You’re not a fan of sweet or spiced coffees

Cappuccino

Cappuccinos are a coffeehouse favorite, offering a harmonious blend of strong coffee and silky milk.

  • Defining Characteristics: Espresso-based with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk; often topped with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine with steam wand
  • Flavor Profile: Strong coffee flavor balanced with creamy milk
  • Best For: Those who enjoy a creamy, foamy coffee drink
  • Avoid If: You don’t like frothy milk or prefer a milder coffee

Cold Brew

Cold brew is a refreshing way to enjoy coffee, especially during the hot months.

  • Defining Characteristics: Coffee brewed with cold water over an extended period (12-24 hours)
  • Ease of Brewing: Simple steeping process, but requires patience
  • Flavor Profile: Smooth, mellow, less acidic than hot brewed coffee
  • Best For: Warm days and those who prefer a less acidic coffee
  • Avoid If: You’re impatient or prefer a hot drink

Cortado

Cortado provides a balanced coffee experience, cutting the sharpness of espresso with the smoothness of milk.

  • Defining Characteristics: Espresso cut with a small amount of warm milk
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine
  • Flavor Profile: Strong coffee flavor slightly mellowed by milk
  • Best For: Those who want a touch of milk without overwhelming the espresso
  • Avoid If: You like a more milk-dominant coffee

Decaf

Decaf allows coffee lovers to savor the taste without the jitters or sleep disturbances.

  • Defining Characteristics: Coffee from which most of the caffeine has been removed
  • Ease of Brewing: Brewed like regular coffee, using various methods
  • Flavor Profile: Varies depending on beans and method but generally less robust than caffeinated coffee
  • Best For: Those wanting to enjoy coffee without the caffeine
  • Avoid If: You’re seeking a caffeine boost

Espresso

Espresso is the heart of many coffee drinks and offers a quick caffeine kick.

  • Defining Characteristics: Concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely-ground coffee beans
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine
  • Flavor Profile: Strong, rich, and robust
  • Best For: Those who love a concentrated coffee flavor
  • Avoid If: You prefer a lighter, milkier coffee

Flat White

Originating from Australia/New Zealand, the Flat White offers a creamy yet strong coffee experience.

  • Defining Characteristics: Espresso with steamed milk, similar to a latte but with a higher proportion of coffee and microfoam
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine with steam wand
  • Flavor Profile: Strong coffee flavor with a creamy texture
  • Best For: Those who enjoy a creamy coffee with a strong espresso kick
  • Avoid If: You prefer a milder coffee or more foam

Filter Coffee

Filter coffee, especially popular in India, offers a unique aromatic and sweetened coffee experience.

  • Defining Characteristics: Coffee brewed through a filter, popular in Southern India
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires a special metal filter and finely ground coffee
  • Flavor Profile: Sweet, aromatic, and often mixed with chicory
  • Best For: Those who like a sweet and milky coffee
  • Avoid If: You prefer a more neutral or non-sweetened coffee

Kopi Tubruk

Kopi Tubruk offers a taste of Indonesia, strong, sweet, and unfiltered.

  • Defining Characteristics: Indonesian coffee where coarse coffee grounds are boiled together with a solid lump of sugar
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires a pot and coarse coffee grounds
  • Flavor Profile: Strong, thick, and sweet
  • Best For: Those who appreciate bold and sweet coffee
  • Avoid If: You don’t like gritty textures or very sweet brews

Latte

Lattes offer a comforting warmth and are often flavored with syrups for added sweetness.

  • Defining Characteristics: Espresso-based with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a small amount of foam on top
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine with steam wand
  • Flavor Profile: Mild coffee flavor with a predominant milk taste
  • Best For: Those who prefer a milder, milkier coffee
  • Avoid If: You’re looking for a stronger coffee taste

Macchiato

Macchiatos are for those who want just a splash of milk with their robust espresso.

  • Defining Characteristics: Espresso “stained” or “marked” with a small amount of frothed milk
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine
  • Flavor Profile: Strong coffee flavor with a hint of milk
  • Best For: Those who enjoy the taste of espresso but with a touch of creaminess
  • Avoid If: You prefer more milk in your coffee

Mocha

Mocha is the perfect union of coffee and chocolate, offering a dessert-like treat in a cup.

  • Defining Characteristics: Espresso-based with chocolate syrup and steamed milk, often topped with whipped cream
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires an espresso machine and chocolate syrup
  • Flavor Profile: Sweet, chocolatey with the richness of coffee
  • Best For: Those who love both chocolate and coffee
  • Avoid If: You’re avoiding sugary or dessert-like beverages

Nitro

Nitro coffee takes cold brew to a new level, adding a creamy texture and a visual spectacle.

  • Defining Characteristics: Cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen, giving it a silky texture and a frothy top
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires special equipment to infuse nitrogen
  • Flavor Profile: Smooth, creamy, with the taste of cold brew
  • Best For: Those looking for a different texture in their cold coffee
  • Avoid If: You don’t have access to nitrogen equipment or prefer traditional coffee methods

Turkish

Turkish coffee is an age-old method that offers a rich and intense coffee experience in small servings.

  • Defining Characteristics: Fine ground coffee brewed with water and often sugar in a special pot called a cezve
  • Ease of Brewing: Requires a cezve and some practice
  • Flavor Profile: Strong, thick, and can be quite sweet if sugar is added
  • Best For: Those who enjoy a bold and unfiltered coffee experience
  • Avoid If: You don’t like sludgy textures or very potent brews