Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or a curious beginner, there’s nothing quite like the magic of a well-made specialty coffee drink. From silky lattes to bold macchiatos, the world of café-style beverages is rich, flavorful, and surprisingly approachable—even at home.

In this guide, you’ll explore 12 popular types of specialty coffee drinks and learn exactly how to make them in your own kitchen. No barista certification required—just a love for coffee and a little creativity.

☕ What Makes a Drink “Specialty” Coffee?

Specialty coffee isn’t just about fancy foam art or Italian names. It starts with high-quality beans, carefully roasted and brewed with purpose. The Specialty Coffee Association defines “specialty coffee” as beans scoring 80+ points on a 100-point scale, but for the average drinker, it means:

• Sourced ethically from dedicated farms
• Roasted to highlight natural flavors
• Brewed with care and intention
• Often paired with high-quality milk or flavor additions

Keywords: types of coffee drinks, specialty coffee recipes, how to make lattes at home

🧋 12 Types of Specialty Coffee Drinks to Try at Home

1. Espresso

Base of all specialty drinks.

• 1–2 oz of highly concentrated coffee
• Made using an espresso machine or stovetop Moka pot

Tip: Use finely ground, dark roast beans and tamp evenly for best results.

2. Americano

Bold but smooth.

• 1 shot of espresso
• 6 oz hot water poured on top

Creates a rich, balanced black coffee with less bitterness than drip.

3. Cappuccino

Classic Italian favorite.

• 1/3 espresso
• 1/3 steamed milk
• 1/3 thick milk foam

Top with cocoa or cinnamon for café vibes.

4. Latte

Creamy and comforting.

• 1 shot espresso
• 6–8 oz steamed milk
• Light layer of foam

DIY tip: Use a milk frother or mason jar to froth milk at home.

5. Flat White

Smooth and strong.

• 2 shots espresso
• 4 oz microfoamed milk (velvety, less frothy)

Flat whites have more espresso flavor and less milk than lattes.

6. Macchiato (Traditional)

For bold espresso lovers.

• 1–2 oz espresso
• Just a spoonful of milk foam on top

Not to be confused with sugary coffeehouse versions.

7. Café Mocha

Chocolate + Coffee = Love.

• 1 shot espresso
• 1 tbsp cocoa or chocolate syrup
• 6 oz steamed milk
• Whipped cream (optional)

8. Cortado

Espresso with equal parts milk.

• 2 oz espresso
• 2 oz steamed milk
• No foam, no fluff—just balance.

9. Iced Latte

Perfect for warm days.

• 1–2 shots espresso
• Cold milk poured over ice
• Optional sweetener or syrup

10. Cold Brew Latte

Chill meets creamy.

• ½ cup cold brew concentrate
• ½ cup milk (or alt milk)
• Ice + sweetener to taste

11. Affogato

Dessert meets espresso.

• Scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Shot of hot espresso poured on top

Eat with a spoon, sip with a smile.

12. Coffee Tonic

Bright, fizzy, and unexpected.

• 1 shot espresso
• ½ cup tonic water over ice
• Garnish with citrus peel

🛠 Tools to Have on Hand:

• Espresso machine or Moka pot
• Milk frother or steam wand
• Grinder
• Quality specialty coffee beans
• Flavor syrups or extracts

☕ Final Sip

Specialty coffee drinks aren’t just a treat—they’re an experience. Once you learn the components of each drink, you can recreate, remix, and perfect them in your own kitchen.