What are the most common coffee drinks Italians order at the café? They almost always involve espresso. Espresso is thicker than coffee brewed by other methods, and, as a result of the pressurized brewing process, the flavors are very concentrated, giving it the typical, unmistakable aroma. It also usually comes out with ‘crema’ on top (foam with a creamy consistency). Here are the most common ways Italians order coffee at the ‘bar’ (Italian café). Try ordering in Italian!  

Espresso

The classic way to drink coffee in Italy, and the simplest. A small amount of nearly boiling water is pressurized and shot through finely ground coffee beans with an espresso machine. Many Italians add a bit of sugar, but some prefer the bitter taste.

Macchiato (‘stained’ coffee)

This is also a very popular way to drink coffee in Italy: espresso with a dab of milk. This can be ‘caldo’ (warm) if the milk is heated, ‘freddo’ (cold) if the milk is added directly from the refrigerator.