Starbucks Espresso Macchiato

The Starbucks Espresso Macchiato carries 15 calories in a Doppio and 89.1mg of caffeine, and it is an espresso with a spoon of milk foam dropped on top. Macchiato means marked, and the mark is the point: just enough dairy to take the edge off without turning it into a milk drink.

That small amount of foam changes more than it should. It sits on the crema rather than mixing in, so the first sip is soft and slightly sweet and everything after it is straight espresso. The foam also traps the aroma, which is why the drink smells stronger than a plain shot. Visually it is a dark cup with a white dot in the middle, and in a good one that dot stays distinct for a minute or so.

Sizes follow the espresso pattern rather than the cup pattern: Solo, Doppio, Triple and Quad. Calories are 6, 15, 18 and 23 across those four. Caffeine runs 44.6mg, 89.1mg, 99.2mg and 132.3mg. Starbucks UK does not publish a delivery price for it, so no figure appears above rather than a guess.

The name takes some care at a UK counter. Say macchiato at a Starbucks counter and most baristas will reach for the caramel version, which is a full sized milk drink with syrup and sauce in it. Espresso macchiato is the phrase that gets you this drink, and it is worth saying both words. The two share nothing beyond the word and a couple of hundred calories separate them.

It suits anyone who finds a straight espresso too sharp but wants nothing like a cappuccino, and it is a common order for people cutting down on milk. Drink it fast, since the foam collapses within about ninety seconds. A plain Espresso is the same drink without the mark, and the Cortado is the next step up with warm milk instead of foam.