A cappuccino and a macchiato both start with espresso and milk, but in different proportions. A cappuccino combines espresso with steamed milk and milk foam. A traditional macchiato is mostly espresso with just a small amount of milk. If you want a creamier coffee, choose a cappuccino. If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, a macchiato is the better choice.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. cappuccinos are often much larger than the traditional versions served in Italy and much of Europe.
- A traditional macchiato is simply espresso “marked” with a spoonful of milk foam.
- A caramel macchiato is a latte-style drink, not the traditional Italian macchiato.
- An espresso macchiato and a latte macchiato are different drinks, so it’s worth confirming which one a coffee shop serves.
- A macchiato may taste stronger, but a cappuccino can contain more caffeine if it’s made with two espresso shots.
What Is a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino is an espresso drink made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
That’s the classic cappuccino ratio, but the serving size depends on where you order it. In Italy and many other European countries, a cappuccino is usually around 3 to 6 ounces, while coffee shops in the U.S. often serve much larger sizes ranging from 12 to 20 ounces.
The thick cappuccino foam is the drink’s most recognizable feature. It makes every sip feel light and creamy while still letting the espresso flavor come through.
What Is a Macchiato? (The Traditional One)
A traditional macchiato is a shot of espresso topped with a small spoonful of milk foam. Unlike the large and sweet caramel macchiatos popular in many U.S. coffee shops, the original macchiato is a short drink with a strong espresso flavor.
The name itself explains the preparation. In Italian, macchiato means “stained” or “marked,” which refers to an espresso shot that’s “marked” with just a spoonful of milk foam.
Cappuccino vs Macchiato: The Key Differences
A cappuccino is larger, creamier, and more balanced, while a traditional macchiato is smaller, bolder, and almost all espresso.
| Aspect | Cappuccino | Macchiato (Traditional) |
| Build | 1 to 2 shots of espresso with equal parts steamed milk and milk foam | 1 shot of espresso topped with a small dollop of steamed milk or milk foam |
| Typical Size | 3 to 6 oz traditionally, 12 to 20 oz is common in the U.S. | Around 2 oz |
| Milk | Plenty of steamed milk and foam for a creamy texture | Just a splash of milk, so the espresso stays front and center |
| Taste | Smooth, creamy, and balanced | Bold, rich, and espresso-forward |
| Caffeine | 126 mg in a 12 oz drink with two espresso shots | 63 mg with one espresso shot |
| Calories (Plain) | 130 calories in a 12 oz drink | About 10 to 15 calories |
| Best For | Anyone who wants a creamy coffee that’s easy to sip | Anyone who wants a quick drink with a strong espresso flavor |
Wait, Isn’t a Macchiato Sweet? Caramel Macchiato vs Traditional Macchiato
No. A traditional macchiato isn’t sweet. The caramel macchiato sold at many U.S. coffee chains is a completely different drink that’s much closer to a latte than a traditional macchiato.
A traditional macchiato is simply an espresso shot with a small amount of steamed milk or milk foam. It has a strong coffee flavor and is served in a small cup.
A caramel macchiato, on the other hand, is made with steamed milk, vanilla syrup, espresso, and a caramel drizzle. It contains much more milk than espresso, so it tastes smoother, sweeter, and creamier.
If you’re looking for a bold espresso drink, order a traditional macchiato. If you want something sweet and milky, a caramel macchiato is the better choice.
Make sure to check out this salted caramel macchiato recipe.
Espresso Macchiato vs Latte Macchiato
An espresso macchiato is mostly espresso with just a small amount of milk, while a latte macchiato is mostly steamed milk that’s topped with one or two shots of espresso.
An espresso macchiato is the traditional Italian recipe. It’s made by “marking” a shot of espresso with a spoonful of steamed milk or milk foam, so the espresso remains the main flavor.
A latte macchiato is prepared the opposite way. A cup is filled with steamed milk first, then “marked” with one or two shots of espresso. The result is a much larger, creamier drink that’s closer to a latte.
In many U.S. coffee shops, this is the style people expect when they order a macchiato, while in Italy and much of Europe, a macchiato usually refers to the traditional espresso macchiato.
You can still order a traditional macchiato in the U.S. Just ask whether the coffee shop serves an espresso macchiato or a latte macchiato so you get the drink you’re expecting.
Dry vs Wet Cappuccino (and Where the Macchiato Fits)
A dry cappuccino has more milk foam and less steamed milk, while a wet cappuccino has more steamed milk and less foam.
| Dry Cappuccino | Wet Cappuccino |
| More milk foam | More steamed milk |
| Light and airy | Creamy and smooth |
| Stronger coffee flavor | Milder coffee flavor |
Dry Cappuccino vs. Macchiato
A dry cappuccino and a traditional macchiato both have a stronger coffee flavor than a regular cappuccino, but they’re still different drinks.
A dry cappuccino has much more milk foam, which gives it a light, airy texture and softens the espresso. A traditional macchiato has just a small spoonful of milk or foam, so the espresso stays the main character.
If you enjoy a creamy texture but still want a pronounced coffee flavor, a dry cappuccino is a great choice. If you want the strongest espresso flavor with very little milk, order a traditional macchiato.
What Is a Bone Dry Cappuccino?
A bone dry cappuccino is made with espresso and milk foam only, with little to no steamed milk. As the foam settles, you get a concentrated coffee flavor without much milk to soften it.
Even so, a bone dry cappuccino doesn’t taste the same as a macchiato. The large amount of milk foam adds sweetness, creaminess, and a light texture. A traditional macchiato has only a small amount of milk, so it tastes bolder, more concentrated, and much closer to straight espresso.
You may also want to see the Flat White vs Cappuccino vs Latte comparison.
Which Has More Caffeine, a Cappuccino or a Macchiato?
Even though a traditional macchiato tastes stronger, a cappuccino often contains the same amount or even more caffeine because it’s usually made with one or two shots of espresso.
Since one espresso shot contains about 63 mg of caffeine, here’s what you can typically expect:
| Drink | Espresso Shots | Typical Caffeine |
| Traditional Macchiato | 1 | 63 mg |
| Traditional Cappuccino | 1 | 63 mg |
| Large Cappuccino | 2 | 126 mg |
The amount of milk doesn’t change the caffeine content. The number of espresso shots does. That’s why a large cappuccino can contain nearly twice as much caffeine as a traditional macchiato, even though the macchiato has a much stronger coffee flavor.
Which One Should You Order?
If you’re new to espresso drinks, start with a cappuccino. The steamed milk and foam make it smoother and more approachable without hiding the coffee flavor. If you already enjoy straight espresso or want the strongest coffee taste with very little milk, order a traditional macchiato.
Whether you’re craving a smooth cappuccino or a bold macchiato, you can order either one at Canal Coffee’s drive-thru.
You may also be interested in a Macchiato vs Latte guide.
FAQ
How many calories are in a cappuccino vs. a macchiato?
The calories depend on how much milk and syrup the drink contains. At Canal Coffee, a 12 oz cappuccino has 130 calories, while a 12 oz latte-style macchiato has 150 calories. A 12 oz caramel macchiato has 260 calories because it’s made with flavored syrup and caramel drizzle.
Is a macchiato stronger than a cappuccino?
A traditional macchiato tastes stronger because it has very little milk, so the espresso flavor stands out more. That doesn’t always mean it has more caffeine. A traditional macchiato usually has one shot of espresso, while many cappuccinos are made with two shots, so a cappuccino can contain more total caffeine.
What’s the difference between a macchiato and a cortado?
A cortado is made with equal parts espresso and warm milk, with little to no foam. It sits between a traditional macchiato and a cappuccino, giving you a smoother drink than a macchiato without as much milk or foam as a cappuccino. You can learn more about cortado here.
