Flat White – A Beautiful Mess

If you are looking for a smooth and balanced espresso and milk drink, then you need to try a flat white. This coffee drink recipe is very easy to make and only requires two ingredients. It was invented in Australia, becoming popular in the 1980s, but then has made its way around the world as a favorite espresso drink since.

What is a flat white? I think of it as in between a latte and cappuccino. A flat white has less milk to espresso as a latte and the milk it does contain tends to be more on the micro foam side, but it’s less foamy than a cappuccino. It’s like a larger sized cortado.

Related: Next up, learn how to make a caramel macchiato, mocha, or americano.

Ingredients

With so few ingredients, keep in mind the quality of ingredients will make a difference! I personally love to buy my coffee beans locally from a coffee shop that roasts them as I know they are fresh and high quality.

You can use a milk alternative instead of dairy milk if you like, but keep in mind it may not foam the same way dairy milk (which contains fat) does.

Directions

Brew two shots of espresso.

Steam the milk using a frothing wand, milk frother, or by heating on the stovetop and whisking. The goal is to thicken the milk but there should not be large bubbles. Give the pitcher (or other container) a few taps on the counter to remove excess air (bubbles) from the foam.

Add the fresh espresso to a mug, then pour the steamed milk into the espresso.

Best Home Espresso Makers

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

• Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. We’ve used this machine almost every day since we got it a year ago and we love it! It comes in three colors.
• Stovetop Espresso – This is the cheapest way to make espresso at home. It’s more labor intensive and you will also need a way to grind your beans for best results. But, this is a classic method that works great when done well.
• Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
• Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.

Serving Suggestions

Need something sweet to go with your flat white? Try these recipes: