Do espressos have milk? (Is there milk in espresso? + More information)
Espresso is quite popular due to its rich caffeine content and superior coffee flavor. However, is espresso made with milk? Do espressos have milk? Stick around to find out.
No, espressos do not have milk. Espresso is simply brewed coffee with no milk content. However, that does not mean you cannot add milk to your espresso.
Table of Contents
Are espresso made with milk?
No, espresso is not made with milk. Espresso is made by brewing finely ground coffee under optimum pressure, preferably using an espresso machine. There is nowhere espresso interacts with milk or gets any milk content when brewing unless you add milk to it. You can have your espresso plain or mix it with some water to form Americano.
Additionally, you can add sweeteners of your choice, like honey or sugar, to your espresso to enhance its taste. However, though espresso is not made with milk, which does not mean you cannot add milk to it. You can prepare several variations of espresso by adding milk to your espresso.
Can you add milk to espresso?

Yes, it is totally okay to add milk to your espresso. Adding milk to espresso is always a personal decision depending on what your preferences and needs are. Adding milk to espresso is quite popular. You can either choose to add steamed milk, hot milk, or even cold milk to your espresso to create a beverage that meets your exact preferences. You are not restricted on which type of milk to add to your espresso; if you are a vegan, you can use any plant-based milk. Some popular plant-based milk options include; coconut, almond, soy, and oat milk.
What is an espresso with milk called?
An espresso with milk is called a macchiato. A macchiato is simply espresso with a small amount of milk added to it. The name macchiato originates from Italian, meaning spotted or marked. This meaning fits the milk stain in your espresso as it is just enough to lighten your espresso color but not alter its flavor.
There are also other variations of espresso with milk, like the latte and cappuccino. Lattes are mostly made by combining espresso shots with steamed milk to produce a creamy beverage with a twist in flavor. On the other hand, a cappuccino is simply espresso mixed with frothed milk; hence it has a thick layer on top.
FAQ Section
Can you add plant-based milk to espresso?
Yes, you can add plant-based milk to espresso. Some of the best plant-based that complement espresso well include almond milk and oat milk. However, plant-based milk will not be as creamy and fluffy when added to espresso as dairy milk would be.
Does espresso taste better with milk?
The taste of espresso depends on personal preferences. If you love strong black coffee, you will find plain espresso without milk better. However, if you love creamy beverages with a toned flavor, you will find espresso with milk to taste better.
Will milk dilute the caffeine in espresso?
No, milk will not dilute the caffeine in espresso. Let’s say your espresso has 160 mg of caffeine; it will still retain the same caffeine content even when you add milk to it. However, what will change is the boldness of the coffee flavor in your drink. Milk will tone down the coffee flavor.