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
- Elote
- Paella
- Fish Tacos
- Picadillo
- Tortilla Soup
Video
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Cortadito Coffee Recipe
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.
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
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.
Notes
Make-Ahead: This is meant to be served immediately.
How to Store: If you decide to store this, 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.
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.
Nutrition
Calories: 61kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 28mgPotassium: 90mgSugar: 9gVitamin A: 100IUCalcium: 69mg
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: cuban
Author: Chef Billy Parisi
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31 comments
- Jennifer Snuffleupagus
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- Reply
a cup by coffee standards is 6 ounces so this makes 4. I used regular spoons but they are tbl’s. Hope that helps?
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- pamela spruill
dark roast
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- Brad Burgess
Love the dark roast, Billy.
- Reply
- marilyn C
Medium Roast for me.
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- DeAnna Kale
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
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- sara
dark roast
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- Christine Warner
Love the great taste of Cuban Coffee, can not wait to taste this brand.
- Reply
- Tammy Parise
Yummy!
- Reply
- Tedd Mayer
I wouls love a dark roasted coffee please!
I bet that smells FANTASTIC!!
Thank you!- Reply
- Laurie Griffith
Medium roast! Need a cup now!!!!!!!!
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- Shawna O.
I Love Dark roast coffee the best. Thanks for the opportunity!
- Reply
- Linda Jennings
Dark!
- Reply
- alicia
Sounds awesome! Like mine light roast.
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- Rebecca Graham
I like Dark roast coffee.
- Reply
- Alicia Cooper
I love me some Medium roat coffee – no too strong, not too weak – but, just right all around 🙂
- Reply
- Sheri
Dark roast would be lovely in this recipe.
- Reply
- Robin
Hardcore Dark Roast
- Reply
- Crystal Sell
Shared and I love medium roasted coffee.
- Reply
- Kayte CookWatts
Love the balanced taste of medium roasts, and my sister learned during a coffee tasting that medium roast contains the most caffeine. Bonus!
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- Barrie Ring
I love dark roast! I would love to win! 🙂
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- LuAnn Baker
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! 🙂
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- Jeanie Prevatt
nothing beats a great cup of jo, even if its inspired by the “talented” NOT Kardashians!!! lol
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- Leslie
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).
- Reply
- Wilford Raney
I am a dark roast w/ hot milk- this recipe sounds fun. Thank you for a great giveaway- love coffee, Kim and Billy
- Reply
- margaret
dark is great am
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- margaret
light roast
- Reply
- Lyn
Perk…Perk… MMMMMMM Got to have that first cup of Cuban Coffee
- Reply
- anissa (an) gooch
I am an in-between girl of medium and dark. thanks for another great giveaway
- Reply
- Patty Janssen
Dark roast wins with this girl!!!
- Reply
- Kate Rivas
Nothing beats a cup of properly prepared Cuban Coffee….West New York – here I come!
- Reply
