What Is an Iced Macchiato? What Makes This Drink So Unique?

If you wonder what is an iced macchiato and what makes it different from an iced latte or cappuccino, you’re not the only one. Stick around, we’re going to talk about what an iced macchiato really is, what makes this type of coffee so unique, and how to make a banging iced macchiato at home. 

What really is an iced macchiato? 

Did you know that in Italian ‘macchiato’ means ‘the spotted’ or ‘the marked’?

Macchiato coffee or also known as espresso macchiato is an espresso-based coffee much like cappuccino, latte, and americano. What makes this coffee so unique is the portion of milk that this coffee is topped with as is much less than the one you get in a latte or even cappuccino. To put things in perspective this is how much milk you need for different types of coffee:

• Latte (12oz) → 10oz of milk
• Cappuccino (12oz) → 4.2oz of milk (Learn about the right cappuccino ratio here)
• Macchiato (3oz) → 1oz of foamed milk

What about the amount of coffee used for a macchiato?

Although cappuccino, americano, and latte are typically made with one espresso shot, the traditional recipe for a macchiato requires two single espressos which make it stronger coffee. 

What’s the difference between a macchiato and its iced version? 

To make an iced macchiato as you might have guessed you need to pour crushed ice over a hot macchiato and you’re good to go.

It’s a top drink that many love to have on a scorching day (is it bad for your health?) that really gives you a kick and helps your cool off. 

What does an iced macchiato taste like? 

An iced macchiato is a refreshing and creamy beverage perfect for a hot summer day. The coffee is brewed using dark roasted beans and then combined with milk and ice. A dollop of whipped cream and caramel topping completes the drink. The result is a rich and flavorful coffee that has a slightly sweet taste. 

The type of milk used will affect the taste of the drink, so be sure to experiment to find the perfect balance for you.

Some of the best for rich frothing are full-fat milk and oats milk; because they contain fat they create a proper good layer of foam that really elevates your beverage. 

How much caffeine is there in a macchiato? 

Considering that a single espresso contains around 63mg of caffeine and a typical macchiato is made with two espresso shots, meaning that its caffeine content is 126mg. 

But the caffeine content also depends on the type of coffee beans you’re using. For example, Robusta coffee beans are higher in caffeine than Arabica. 

Another factor that affects the caffeine in your macchiato is the roasting while blonde and medium roasts have more caffeine than dark. 

The good news with iced macchiato is that typically iced coffee has less caffeine than hot coffee.

The table shows the caffeine content found in different coffee types at Starbucks:

	Serving Size	Caffeine
Hot Coffee	16oz (473 mL)	210-360mg
Iced Coffee	16oz (473 mL)	165mg
Espresso	1.5 oz (44 mL)	150mg

Is a macchiato stronger than a latte or espresso? 

Because it is made with 2 espresso shots, a macchiato is stronger than other coffees including espresso, latte, cappuccino, and americano as they are normally made with just one espresso shot (they contain half of the caffeine a macchiato has), and a cup of instant coffee that contains only 30-90mg of caffeine. So, macchiato along with Cafe Bustelo and Vietnamese coffee are some of the strongest coffees out there, ideal on a day when you desperately need an energy boost.

Does espresso made with Robusta beans have more caffeine than one made with Arabica? 

As mentioned earlier Robusta coffee has more caffeine than Arabica. 

Most Robusta coffee is cultivated in West Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam; the taste of Robusta coffee is earthy and somewhat bitter with notes of oak. It’s typically cultivated in lower altitudes (0-700m), it’s resistant to disease and its maturity lasts up to 10-11 months.

Some of the best quality Arabica coffee beans are grown in Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. Arabica beans grow in higher altitudes (1000-2000m) and they’re the sweeter bean (6-9% sugar compared to Robusta’s 3-7%) while their maturity lasts 9 months.

A Robusta bean has around 2.2% caffeine while the Arabica has only 1.2%; this practically means that an espresso-based coffee including an iced macchiato made with Robusta beans has more caffeine than one made with Arabica. 

If your body finds it difficult to break down caffeine, it’s better to go for Arabica beans. 

How to make a cracking iced macchiato 

An iced macchiato is a real treat and the good news is that it’s relatively easy to make it even if you try it for the first time.

Here are the ingredients that you’ll need:

• 60 mL of full-fat milk
• 2 espresso shots 
• Ice (preferably crushed)

Here’s how to make it:

Start with brewing your espresso shots

Place the ice in your glass 

Pour the milk over the ice

Pour the coffee into the middle of your glass.

The drink has the pleasing hues of milk and coffee mixed together. 

The great thing about iced macchiato is that you can easily customise it. For example, you can add vanilla syrup or any vanilla syrup substitutes such as maple syrup and honey. To add vanilla syrup, blend it with the milk and pour it in before adding the coffee.

Another thing that takes this gorgeous beverage to the next level is to top it with a drizzle of caramel sauce that goes so well with iced coffee. 

How to make a top iced latte? 

Let’s go over the recipe for making a decadent iced latte.

Here are the ingredients that you’ll need:

• 180 mL of full-fat milk
• 1 espresso shot 
• Ice (preferably crushed)

Here’s how to make it:

Starting with brewing your espresso

Froth your milk using a frother or any other alternative gadget. 

Pour the ice into the glass.

Blend the espresso with the frothed milk and then pour the mix into the glass.

A top tip: A great tip is to froth your milk right after you’re done with brewing the espresso (you can also froth half and half). Ideally, you could do them together when you get the hang of how to make an iced latte. The reason being the longer an espresso sits the more of its flavour and aroma is gone. 

Which is better? An iced macchiato or an iced latte? 

Both iced macchiatos and iced lattes are refreshing beverages.

But which one is the better choice? 

More milk is used for making a latte than in a macchiato (180mL vs. 60mL). 

Because of the milk, an iced latte is sweeter than an iced macchiato; if you have a soft spot for sweet beverages, then an iced latte is the better choice. However, if you want a drink that is both refreshing and satisfying, then an iced macchiato is the way to go. 

Ultimately, the choice between an iced macchiato and an iced latte comes down to personal preference.

I personally prefer an iced macchiato to an iced latte.

Iced macchiato vs. iced coffee

An iced macchiato and iced coffee are brewed differently.

To make a macchiato you need to make two espresso shots whilst an iced coffee can be done with either instant coffee or with an auto drip coffee maker in which case non-espresso beans have been used.

Another thing that makes these two coffees different is the milk content. Macchiato should contain milk in order to be considered as a macchiato whereas it’s optional to add a splash of milk to your iced coffee.

One thing that they definitely have in common though, is that they are both refreshing. 

Is macchiato stronger than iced coffee?

A cup of 200mL of iced coffee has around 80mg of caffeine while a macchiato has 126mg, so this makes stronger coffee than an iced coffee. An iced macchiato is a great way to kick-start your day.

Are you supposed to stir an iced macchiato?

No, it’s not a good practice to stir your iced macchiato up. If you do so, you eventually turn it into an iced latte.

Are you supposed to shake a macchiato?

No, this is not a good practice either. Remember that ‘macchiato’ means ‘marked’, so by shaking it you’ll have all the ingredients mixed and the layers of coffee and milk won’t be distinct which is what a great macchiato is. 

Let’s wrap it up

So there you have it – a breakdown of the iced macchiato. Whether you’re a fan of this chilly drink, we hope you’ve learned something new about it today. If you’re curious to try one for yourself, be sure to stop by our cafe and order one today.