Macchiato Recipe
Make Macchiato Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Espresso
Steamed milk / Milk foam
Optional finishing
Method
Espresso
- 1
Preheat and dose
Preheat your portafilter or espresso machine by running a short blank shot or flushing the group head. Weigh 18 g of freshly ground espresso coffee (medium-fine grind for your machine).
- 2
Tamp and brew
Distribute grounds evenly in the portafilter, tamp with 15–20 kg of pressure to form a smooth puck. Lock the portafilter into the machine and extract a double ristretto/short double: aim for about 36 ml of espresso in 20–30 seconds. Transfer the espresso into a pre-warmed espresso cup (approx. 90–120 ml cup).
Steamed milk / Milk foam
- 3
Prepare milk
Pour 60 ml of whole milk into a chilled stainless-steel frothing pitcher. If you want extra foam for a drier macchiato, include the optional 20 ml.
- 4
Steam technique
Purge the steam wand briefly. Submerge the tip just below the milk surface and angle the pitcher slightly. Start steaming to create microfoam: introduce a little air for 1–2 seconds (a light hissing sound), then lower the pitcher so the wand is deeper and continue heating until the milk reaches 55–65°C (130–150°F). Aim for silky, glossy microfoam with small bubbles. Wipe and purge the wand after steaming.
- 5
Settle the milk
Tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl to remove larger bubbles and integrate the foam into the milk for a creamy texture. Spoon or pour a small dollop of foam.
Assembly & finishing
- 6
Mark (macchiare) the espresso
A traditional macchiato is an espresso 'stained' with a small amount of milk foam. Using a spoon, place a 1–2 teaspoon dollop of milk foam directly onto the center of the espresso. For a slightly creamier macchiato, pour about 10–15 ml of textured milk first, then top with foam.
- 7
Optional sweeten and garnish
If desired, stir in 5 ml of simple syrup into the espresso before adding foam. Lightly dust with a pinch (about 1 tsp) of cocoa powder or cinnamon on top of the foam as a garnish.
- 8
Serve
Serve immediately while hot. Provide a demitasse spoon. Enjoy the contrast of intense espresso and the small, sweet milk note.