Culture & Lifestyle • Coffee

Cortado

A cortado is a coffee drink made by combining espresso with a small amount of warm or lightly steamed milk to soften the espresso’s acidity and bitterness.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A cortado is a coffee drink made by combining espresso with a small amount of warm or lightly steamed milk to soften the espresso’s acidity and bitterness. The term comes from Spanish, from *cortar* (“to cut”), referring to the milk “cutting” the intensity of the coffee. Cortados are commonly found in Canadian cafés and specialty coffee shops, especially in larger cities with strong espresso culture.

Definition

A cortado is an espresso-based coffee drink made with a small amount of warm or lightly steamed milk. The milk softens the coffee’s sharpness while keeping the drink relatively strong.

Name and origin

The name comes from Spanish *cortar*, meaning “to cut,” describing how milk reduces the espresso’s intensity. Sources commonly place the drink’s origin in Spain, especially the Basque Country, though precise historical details are limited.

Preparation and style

Cortados are usually made with minimal foam and a relatively small serving size. Exact proportions vary by region and café, but many descriptions place the drink near a 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk.

The cortado is often compared with drinks such as the macchiato and flat white. It is generally smaller and less milky than a latte, while also being distinct from a macchiato in milk amount and texture.

Key facts

A cortado is an espresso drink “cut” with a small amount of milk.
The milk is usually steamed lightly and is not heavily frothy.
The drink is commonly associated with Spain and the Basque Country.
Regional definitions differ on the exact espresso-to-milk ratio.
It is typically served in a small cup or glass.

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Canadian context

Cortados are commonly found in Canadian cafés and specialty coffee shops, especially in larger cities with strong espresso culture.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cortado?

A cortado is an espresso drink mixed with a small amount of warm or lightly steamed milk to reduce bitterness and acidity.

Where did the cortado originate?

It is generally associated with Spain, especially the Basque Country, though detailed historical origins are not well documented.

What does “cortado” mean?

It comes from the Spanish verb *cortar*, meaning “to cut,” referring to milk cutting the espresso’s intensity.

How much milk is in a cortado?

Many descriptions use roughly equal parts espresso and milk, but the ratio varies by region and café.

Does a cortado have foam?

It usually has little or no foam, and the milk is lightly steamed rather than heavily texturized.

How is a cortado different from a latte?

A cortado is smaller and contains less milk than a latte, so the espresso flavour remains more prominent.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortado
Supports: Basic definition, Spanish origin, milk-to-espresso balance, and low-foam preparation.
Real Academia Española — https://dle.rae.es/cortado
Supports: Spanish dictionary entry confirming the coffee sense of *cortado* and the broader meaning of the term.
My Coffee Explorer — https://mycoffeeexplorer.com/glossary/cortado
Supports: Name derivation from *cortar*, typical serving style, and common cup size.
Nescafé — https://www.nescafe.com/in/coffee-culture/knowledge/cortado
Supports: Lightly steamed milk, minimal foam, and origin claims in Spain's Basque Country.
Barista Magazine — https://www.baristamagazine.com/misunderstood-coffee-drinks-the-cortado/
Supports: Equal-parts style, small serving size, and Basque-region origin claim.