TYPES OF COFFEE

Every Popular Type of Coffee throughout the World

Coffee has a little something for everyone, from black and bitter to light and sweet. When it comes to making, or ordering a coffee at Starbucks that’s just right for you, it helps to have a basic understanding of various types of coffee.

Chances are, even the most passionate coffee lovers won’t taste every style and type of coffee in their lifetime. However, knowing what’s out there will make tasting, ordering, and preparing coffee a much better experience.

This coffee guide provides a reference for every type of coffee you may want to order or brew at home. From black coffee, milk based, cold brews, to exotic - we'll cover about 50 types of Joe. Additionally, we provide a detailed history and brewing recipe for each type which you can access by clicking 'read more'.


Welcome to the Kingdom of Coffee

Table of contents

Types of Coffee
Black CoffeeNon-milk based coffeeMilk-Based CoffeesCold CoffeesExotic Coffees
EspressoCafé Con HieloFlat WhiteCold Brew CoffeeAffogato
DoppioCafé CremaCappuccinoJapanese Iced CoffeeCaffé Gommosa
RistrettoCafé; ZorroLatteNew Orleans iced coffeeCoffee Liqueur
AmericanoLungoCaffe BreveNitroDalgona coffee
Drip CoffeeMacchiatoSand-brewed coffeeEgg coffee
Pour Over CoffeeAntocinnoEspresso Romano
Long BlackBlack tieGeisha coffee
Immersion CoffeeCafé Au LaitGuillermo
AeroPress CoffeeCafé BombonIrish coffee
Instant CoffeeCafé MochaKopi Luwak
Turkish CoffeeCafé CubanoMazagran
Bulletproof coffeeCha Phe Sua Da
Black eyeCortado
Capsule coffeeDirty Chai Latte
Coffee bagsEiskaffee
Decaf coffeeEs Copi Susu
Dripped eyeEspresso con Panna
EspressinoGalo
Green coffeeFrappe
GuidoFrappuccino
Lazy eyeMocha
Moka potVienna coffee
Red Eye
Siphon vacuum coffee

Black Coffee

Black coffee is any type of coffee comprised of strictly water and coffee. Afishinados claim this is the only way to drink coffee. Adding additional ingredients such as cream, milk, suger, syrup, or honey takes away from the natural flavors and aromas of the coffee. If you start with good beans and follow best practice tips for brewing, you'll be well on your way to tasting endlesss unique notes and flavors with these various types of black coffees - even if you start with the same types of roasted beans. Cheers! 

Espresso coffee cup illustration

Espresso

Water
Coffee

The Italian Diva among coffees made by
forcing high-pressure steam
through grounded coffee beans.
Result? Thick coffee texture with a
delicious foam on top.

Doppio cup of coffee illustration

Doppio

Water
Coffee

Meaning “double” in Italian is a simple
double espresso shot and it is made by
coffee passing through the portafilter
with a double spout.

Ristretto cup of coffee illustration

Ristretto

Water
Espresso
Coffee

This is a type of a so-called “short”
espresso. It is made just like a regular
espresso but using half the amount of
water.

Americano cup of coffee illustration

Americano

Water
Espresso

Whoever prefers a bit lighter texture
of espresso – voilà! Americano is
a weaker espresso with a more
substantial amount of water, served in
a big coffee cup.

drip coffee cup illustration

Drip Coffee

Water
Coffee

Drip coffee is a strong one made
during a slow process of dripping
boiling water over ground coffee.

PourOver Coffee cup illustration

Pourover

Water
Coffee

An authentic piece of art! This type
of coffee is made by continuously
refreshing the water surrounding the
grounded coffee. Three phases of this
process add to the unique taste and
quality of the coffee.

Long Black cup of coffee illustration

Long Black

Water
Coffee

A stronger version of Americano is made
by pouring two shots of espresso over
a small amount of water.

Immersion brewing coffee cup illustration

Immersion Brewing

Water
Coffee

A joy that makes time to make – this
type of beverage is made by dipping
the grounds into boiling water where they
steep for some time. This makes the
final taste richer.

Aeropress cup of coffee illustration

AeroPress Coffee

Water
Coffee

A peculiar taste of this type of coffee
is accomplished by using a special
device. By placing a paper filter in
the tube, coffee is steeped for about
one minute and then pressed through
the filter with a plunger.

Instant cup of coffee illustration

Instant Coffee

Water
Coffee

Easy & quick – this coffee is made by
simply pouring the desired amount
of hot water over the coffee
powder and stirring until
dissolves.

Bulletproof cup of coffee illustration

Bulletproof coffee

Water
Coffee

A favorite for hangovers,
this combines coffee or espresso
with 2 tablespoons of whole butter
and one tablespoon coconut oil.

Turkish cup of coffee illustration

Turkish Coffee

Water
Coffee

Traditional Turkish Coffee is prepared
in a pot called dzezva (cezve).
The water is heated in the pot
until it boils, then the ground coffee
is put inside. After steering a bit,
it is often quickly reheated just to get
an extra cream on the top.
Remains of the coffee powder will
stay in your cup as the coffee is
not filtered.

Black eye cup of coffee ratio illustration

Black eye

Espresso
coffee

This is made by adding two
or three shots of espresso added
to ordinary drip coffee with
optional milk or cream.

Capsule cup of coffee ratio illustration

Capsule coffee

Water
Coffee

These are specially-made capsules
that contain coffee or espresso
that's pre-ground and sealed that
is brewed using a capsule espresso machine.

Coffee bags cup of coffee ratio illustration

Coffee bags

Water
Coffee

A new form of coffee or espresso
that's placed into a filter bag designed
to use for pour-over coffee methods
and filters the coffee grounds.

Decaf cup of coffee ratio illustration

Decaf coffee

Water
Coffee

Whole coffee beans are steamed
so they swell and then a solvent
is added which draws out the caffeine.
They're re-dried after that.

Dripped eye cup of coffee ratio illustration

Dripped eye

Espresso
coffee

This is made using 3 shots
of espresso to drip coffee,
similar to a black eye coffee.

Espressino cup of coffee ratio illustration

Espressino

Milk
Espresso

A combination of espresso, steamed milk,
and cocoa that is served in a
shot glass. A popular version from Italy.

Green coffee cup ratio illustration

Green Coffee

Water
Green Coffee

This is made by grinding unroasted
coffee beans to produce a tea-like
coffee that tastes more herbal
than coffee-like.

Guido coffee cup ratio illustration

Guido

Espresso

You can make this using three shots
of espresso served in an espresso cup
with very little sugar added.

Lazy eye coffee cup ratio

Lazy eye

Decaffeinated coffee
Espresso

To make this you add 2 or 3 shots
of espresso to decaffeinated coffee.
A weaker version of a red-eye coffee.

Moka pot coffee cup ratio

Moka pot

Water
Espresso

This is a brewing pot that uses
pressure to force out coffee or espresso
to make richer tasting coffee.

Red Eye coffee cup ratio

Red Eye

coffee
Espresso

A standard mug of drip brew
coffee that has a single shot
of espresso added.

Siphon vacuum coffee cup ratio

Siphon

Water
coffee

This brewing method will produce
strong tasting coffee that uses pressure
to push water into a brewing vessel,
and a vacuum to filter the finished coffee.

Non-milk Based Coffee Drinks

Café Con Hielo coffee cup ratio

Café Con Hielo

Water
Espresso

This drink is often a single
or double shot of espresso
that's mixed with sugar and
then poured over ice cubes.

Café Crema coffee cup ratio

Café Crema

Water
Espresso

This is essentially a long espresso
where more water is passed into
the cup and is similar to an
Americano.

Café Zorro coffee ratio illustration

Café Zorro

Water
Espresso

This is a 1:1 ratio of double
espresso and water mixed
together and served hot.

Lungo cup of coffee illustration

Lungo

Water
Espresso

This is made with a shot of espresso
with double the amount of water. It
can also be considered similar to
Americano but with a more refined
taste.

Milk Based Coffee

These types of coffees are perfect for consuming in the afternoon or evening hours due to the lower concentration of acidity and caffeine. Here we look at types of coffee using a combination of espresso and milk. The differences between these various milk based coffees is the use of cold milk vs. steamed milk, and sweeteners.

Flat-White cup of coffee illustration

Flat White

Steamed Milk
Espresso

This is, Ladies and Gentlemen, very
much consumed beverage, consisting
of espresso with a lower amount of
steamed milk that acts as a side taste.

Cappuccino cup of coffee ratio illustration

Cappuccino

Milked Foam
Steamed Milk
Espresso

Famous coffee with even more iconic
crema contains 1/3 of espresso and
the same measure of foamed milk and
steamed milk. One of the better known
Coffee Drink Recipes is the cappuccino
and consists of espresso 1 ounce (25-
30ml), which is then topped with
frothed hot milk in a 5 ounce (150ml)
tall glass or mug. The name stems
probably from the Capuchin friars
meaning “small cap” and refers to the
perfect shade of brown color of their
habits.

Latte coffee cup ratio illustration

Latte

Steamed Milk
Espresso

Latte is coffee where milk takes over
the stage, dominating over the taste of
espresso. We could say it’s a form of
Cappuccino with more milk.

Caffe Breve coffee cup ratio illustration

Caffe Breve

Milked Foam
Half-and-Half Milk
Espresso

This is, Ladies and Gentlemen, very
much consumed beverage, consisting
of espresso with a lower amount of
steamed milk that acts as a side taste.

Macchiato coffee cup ratio illustration

Macchiato

Steamed Milk
Espresso

To mix any of this together would
be a total disaster. It’s made
so that an equal amount of
milk and espresso mix as your
drink it. You are also treated
to a warm foamed milk cap
that is often sweet.

Antocinno coffee cup ratio illustration

Antocinno

Milk
Espresso

This is created with a single
shot of espresso and served
with steamed milk in a 1:1 ratio.

Black tie coffee cup ratio illustration

Black tie

Milk
Tea
Espresso

This alternate version includes a
shot of espresso and Thai tea
which is topped off with milk,
cream, and sugar.

Café Au Lait coffee cup ratio illustration

Café Au Lait

Milk
Coffee

This is a standard cup of
drip coffee that's served with
steamed milk with a 1:1 ratio.
(Just like the Antoccino)

Café Bombon coffee ratio illustration

Café Bombon

Condensed Milk
Espresso

Add just one shot of espresso
added to a shot of condensed
milk with a 1:1 ratio.

Café Mocha cup of coffee ratio

Café Mocha

Milk
Espresso

The same as a Latte but has a
1:3 ratio of one shot of espresso
and steamed milk and chocolate
syrup added.

Café Cubano coffee ratio illustration

Café Cubano

Sugar
Espresso

Only add a single shot of
espresso that gets a couple small
spoons of demerara sugar.

Cha Phe Sua Da coffee cup ratio

Cha Phe Sua Da

Condensed Milk
Espresso

This is a traditional Vietnamese
coffee filtered through a Phin' coffee
maker and mixed with cup
condensed milk served over ice.

Cortado coffee cup ratio

Cortado

Milk
Espresso

This is usually a single or double
shot of espresso with one-quarter
cup of warm milk.

Dirty Chai Latte cup of coffee ratio

Dirty Chai Latte

Milk
Tea
Espresso

To make this you add one shot
of espresso to spiced tea
and steamed milk.

Eiskaffee coffee cup ratio illustration

Eiskaffee

Ice cream
Coffee
Espresso

This is often sold as a German
iced coffee drink under
the name Eiskaffee.

Es Copi Susu coffee ratio

Es Copi Susu

Condensed Milk
Espresso

This is often made with brewing coffee
inside condensed milk and allowed
to cool so the grounds fall
to the bottom.

Espresso con Panna coffee ratio

Espresso con Panna

Whipped Cream
Espresso

This is a single shot of
espresso served in a demitasse
(espresso cup) topped with whipped cream.

Galo cup of coffee ratio

Galăo

Milk
Espresso

A traditional Portuguese coffee with
espresso and steamed milk poured into
a cup using a 1:3 ratio.

Frappe cup of coffee ratio

Frappe

Milk
Espresso

This can be served with milk,
creamer, whipped in a blender with
the coffee or espresso with
added syrup served cold.

Frappuccino coffee glass ratio

Frappuccino

Milk
Espresso

You'll only find this version
found at Starbucks and is a
registered name based on the
Frappe blend.

Mocha cup of coffee ratio illustration

Mocha

Cold cream
Espresso

The traditional mocha is made with
a shot of espresso, cold cream,
and then topped with chocolate syrup.

Vienna coffee ratio illustration

Vienna coffee

Whipped cream
Cocoa powder
Espresso

You can use espresso or regular
drip coffee that is topped with
whipped cream.

Types of cold coffee

Cold Brew coffee cup ratio illustration

Cold Brew coffee

Water
Espresso

This method is made with 2
to 2 times more coffee that
sits in the water at room
temperature for a day and then filtered. Cold brew is different from iced coffee.

Japanese iced coffee cup ratio illustration

Japanese Iced Coffee

Ice
Espresso

This uses a Nel Drip or
Chemex vessel to brew coffee that
directly drips onto ice cubes inside
the lower vessel.

New Orleans iced coffee cup ratio illustration

New Orleans iced coffee

Water
Espresso

This has a cold brewing recipe
of 1:10 ratio. One part chicory
and 10 parts coffee or espresso
to 100 parts water for 12 hours.
It's filtered and served over ice
with sugar syrup added.

Nitro coffee cup ratio illustration

Nitro

Nitrogen
Coffee

This is espresso coffee that is
added to a whipped cream container
with Nitrogen gas canisters to infuse
the coffee resulting in a creamy
and fizzy coffee texture.

Sand-brewed coffee ratio illustration

Sand-brewed coffee

Water
Coffee

This is made by placing ground
coffee and water into a Turkish
Cezve and placed into hot sand
that's heated inside a wok. The
result is a coffee that's thicker
and tastier.

Types of Exotic Coffee

Affogato coffee ratio illustration

Affogato

Ice cream/Gelato
Espresso

This is a scoop of ice
cream with a single shot of
espresso poured over the top.

Caffé Gommosa coffee ratio illustration

Caffé Gommosa

Marshmallow
Espresso

This is a single shot of
espresso that is poured over
a single large marshmallow in
a shot glass.

Coffee Liqueur ratio illustration

Coffee Liqueur

Milk
Liqueur
Espresso

Add any kind of liqueur (25ml)
to a cup with one shot of
espresso and cream of milk is
added.

Dalgona Coffee cup ratio illustration

Dalgona Coffee

Sugar
Water
Coffee

This internet sensation uses frothed
Dagona coffee powder and water
until frothed and served onto
hot or cold milk.

Egg Coffee cup ratio illustration

Egg Coffee

Egg Yolks
Milk
Robusta Espresso

This is made by taking one
egg yolk and mixing condensed milk
until it's frothy and flavored with
a spoon of hot coffee. It's
then added to a mug of
coffee.

Espresso Romano ratio illustration

Espresso Romano

Lemon
Espresso

A single or double shot of
espresso with a slice of lemon
or with lemon juice added.

Geisha cup of Coffee ratio illustration

Geisha Coffee

Water
Coffee

This is a brewing method where
it's best to use a pour-over
vessel to get the best results.
Geisha coffee will taste better after
a 14 to 20-day roast,
so the grind must match the
brewing method.

Guillermo ratio illustration

Guillermo

Milk
Lime
Espresso

A variant of the Espresso Romano
except with a slice of lime
and a splash of milk served
over ice.

Irish Coffee ratio illustration

Irish Coffee

whipped cream
whiskey
Espresso

To make this you add one
shot of espresso or coffee and
one shot of whiskey topped with
whipped cream.

Kopi Luwak cup of coffee ratio illustration

Kopi Luwak

Water
Coffee

This highly trendy coffee is made
from coffee beans that are eaten
by the Civet cat and pooped
out. The beans are then roasted
and brewed using a variety of
brewing methods.

Mazagran coffee cup ratio illustration

Mazagran

Lemon
Espresso

This is a favorite for Algerians
made with coffee or espresso with
lemon added and sometimes milk and
sugar.