Restaurants›Stella's Fried Pork Tenderloins›Cortado Recipe

Cortado Recipe

Name: Stella's Fried Pork Tenderloins Cortado Recipe
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 6 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: Coffee
Ingredients: 18 g freshly ground espresso beans; 36 ml filtered water (for espresso); 36 ml whole milk; 1 tsp optional: sugar or sweetener; 1 to taste espresso machine with steam wand (or alternative milk steamer); 1 to taste dosing scale; 1 to taste tamper; 1 to taste 6 oz (180 ml) glass or cup; 1 to taste milk pitcher (100–200 ml)

Inspired by Stella's Fried Pork Tenderloins

Time6m

Serves1

Equal parts of espresso and steamed milk.

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Ingredients

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Cortado

5/8 oz (18 g) freshly ground espresso beans2.43 tbsp (36 ml) filtered water (for espresso)2.43 tbsp (36 ml) whole milk1 tsp optional: sugar or sweetener

Equipment / extras

1 to taste espresso machine with steam wand (or alternative milk steamer)1 to taste dosing scale1 to taste tamper1 to taste 6 oz (180 ml) glass or cup1 to taste milk pitcher (100–200 ml)

Method

Cortado

Prepare espresso

Dose 18 g of fresh coffee into the portafilter, distribute and tamp evenly. Brew a double ristretto/short double yielding about 36 ml of espresso directly into your serving glass or into a small cup if you prefer to combine after. Target extraction time ~20–28 seconds depending on grind and machine.

Steam milk

Pour 36 ml (about 1.2 fl oz) of cold whole milk into a small pitcher. Purge the steam wand briefly, then position the tip just below the surface and start steaming to incorporate a small amount of microfoam—keep motion steady so milk reaches about 55–60°C (130–140°F). Aim for silky texture with very fine, velvety microfoam and minimal froth (not cappuccino-level foam).

Combine

If espresso was brewed into a separate cup, pour it into your serving glass. Gently tap and swirl the milk pitcher to integrate foam. Slowly pour steamed milk into the espresso in a 1:1 ratio (36 ml milk to 36 ml espresso). Pour close to the surface to allow a thin layer of microfoam to sit on top and, if desired, finish with a simple heart or straight pour.

Sweeten (optional)

If using sugar or sweetener, add 1 tsp to the espresso immediately after brewing and stir before pouring the milk so it dissolves evenly.

Serve immediately while hot. A cortado is traditionally served in a small glass (about 4–6 oz) to showcase the even balance of coffee and milk.

Equipment notes

If you don't have a steam wand, heat milk to 55–60°C (130–140°F) on the stove or in the microwave (short bursts), then froth briefly with a handheld frother aiming for a smooth microfoam rather than large airy bubbles.

Adjust coffee dose or milk volume slightly to taste while keeping the equal-parts principle (1:1 espresso to milk by volume). For stronger taste use a shorter extraction (ristretto) and the same milk volume.