Cortadito Coffee Recipe
Published February 22, 2023. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This sweet, creamy Cuban cortadito coffee recipe is the perfect blend of pre-sweetened espresso and hot milk for the ultimate morning pick-me-up drink. If you need a quick jolt of energy, this is for you.
There’s just something comforting about sipping on hot drinks, especially during the cooler months. If you’re similar, then try out my Champurrado Recipe.
Cortadito
Cortadito is a Cuban espresso consisting of 1 to 1 dark espresso to hot milk. A small amount of the espresso is sweetened heavily with sugar to make a paste before the rest of it is poured in. The cortadito is essentially the sweeter, smaller version of the Spanish cortado. In fact, it is very similar to a smaller, stronger café con leche.
If you love big, bold, sweet coffee flavors, then I highly recommend this drink. You will need the ability to make espresso or at least robust coffee.
This espresso drink is strong in flavor and caffeine and will absolutely give you a burst of energy.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Sugar – Plain granulated sugar is what you’ll need. You can also use turbinado or castor sugar.
- Espresso – Any espresso grounds will work. However, I prefer dark grounds as they will be bolder in flavor.
- Milk – Whole milk works best.
How to Make a Cortadito
Grind the dark espresso beans until finely ground.
Make 4 ounces or a half cup of dark espresso. You can do this if you have a machine or a manual espresso on the stovetop.
Heat or steam 4 ounces or a half cup of whole milk in a pot.
Add about 3 tablespoons and 2 tablespoons of sugar from the hot espresso to a glass with a spout.
Mix until a paste-like mixture is formed.
Pour in the remaining espresso and stir to combine.
Transfer the sweet espresso and evenly pour it between two serving glasses.
Top off each cup with hot milk. It should be 1 to 1 sweet espresso to hot frothy milk.
Serve.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: This is meant to be served immediately.
How to Store: If you decide to store this, be sure to cover it and keep it in the refrigerator for 1 day.
How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of cortadito to a small pot and heat over low to medium heat until hot.
Chef Notes + Tips
- You can find Cuban espresso coffee on Amazon.
- In place of whole milk, you can use skim, 2%, 1%, half and half, or even heavy whipped cream.
More Latin-Inspired Recipes
Video
Cortadito Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces hot espresso
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 ounces whole milk
Instructions
- Make 4 ounces or a half cup of dark espresso. You can do this if you have a machine or a manual espresso on the stovetop.
- Heat or steam 4 ounces or a half cup of whole milk in a pot.
- Add about 3 tablespoons and 2 tablespoons of sugar of the hot espresso to a glass with a spout.
- Mix until a paste-like mixture is formed.
- Pour in the remaining espresso and stir to combine.
- Transfer the sweet espresso and evenly pour it between two serving glasses.
- Top off each cup with the hot milk.
Never disappoints!
I remember first being introduced to the concept of a cortadito when I was training to manage a Starbucks in Miami.
“Cortadito!” a man had shouted at me one day across the counter, as I stared at him perplexed.
“Cortadito!” he shouted again, and then he mimic’ed holding a teacup and holding it up in front of him, pinky finger extended and downing the teacup like a shot.
Naturally I had no idea what he meant by the gesture, and none of the staff during that shift spoke Spanish. Fortunately, a lady behind him in line pushed forward and exasperatedly explained it to us how to make it.
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Living sustainably and rent free in NYC
a cup by coffee standards is 6 ounces so this makes 4. I used regular spoons but they are tbl’s. Hope that helps?
dark roast
Love the dark roast, Billy.
Medium Roast for me.
Dark roast. I haven’t had a good cup of coffee in the last 5 years would love the opportuniy of a great cup from you. Thanks
dark roast
Love the great taste of Cuban Coffee, can not wait to taste this brand.
Yummy!
I wouls love a dark roasted coffee please!
I bet that smells FANTASTIC!!
Thank you!
Medium roast! Need a cup now!!!!!!!!
I Love Dark roast coffee the best. Thanks for the opportunity!
Dark!
Sounds awesome! Like mine light roast.
I like Dark roast coffee.
I love me some Medium roat coffee – no too strong, not too weak – but, just right all around 🙂
Dark roast would be lovely in this recipe.
Hardcore Dark Roast
Shared and I love medium roasted coffee.
Love the balanced taste of medium roasts, and my sister learned during a coffee tasting that medium roast contains the most caffeine. Bonus!
I love dark roast! I would love to win! 🙂
I think this coffee is to die for. I don’t even win at the card game “Go Fish” so, I doubt I’ll win this either but,hey, it’s worth a try! 🙂
nothing beats a great cup of jo, even if its inspired by the “talented” NOT Kardashians!!! lol
I’m definitely a dark roast girl, with milk. Love that “full-bodied” flavor. Like to know I’m drinking good coffee! (posting this again as it didn’t seem to work the first time; sorry if you see a repeat).
I am a dark roast w/ hot milk- this recipe sounds fun. Thank you for a great giveaway- love coffee, Kim and Billy
dark is great am
light roast
Perk…Perk… MMMMMMM Got to have that first cup of Cuban Coffee
I am an in-between girl of medium and dark. thanks for another great giveaway
Dark roast wins with this girl!!!
Nothing beats a cup of properly prepared Cuban Coffee….West New York – here I come!