The Cortado: Spain’s Small but Mighty Gift to Coffee Culture
Every coffee lover needs to experience a proper cortado at least once in their life. This Spanish beverage consists of espresso mixed with a roughly equal amount of warm milk, usually served in about 4 ounces. What makes it special isn’t just the equal ratio – it’s how that ratio creates a perfect harmony between strong coffee flavor and smooth texture.
The beauty of the cortado is how the milk cuts the bitterness of the espresso and reduces the acidity while pulling out the sweet notes, still allowing the flavors to shine. Unlike lattes or cappuccinos, there’s minimal foam here, which means every sip delivers pure coffee-milk bliss without any distractions. The drink originated as a simple solution for Spanish coffee drinkers who wanted their espresso slightly mellowed, and honestly, they nailed it.
The Gibraltar: San Francisco’s Accidental Coffee Revolution
Here’s a drink with one of the coolest origin stories in coffee. The Gibraltar was originally a drink that the Blue Bottle baristas made for themselves behind the bar when they accidentally purchased Gibraltar glasses which were too small to hold regular coffee options, and eventually the Gibraltar was born. Talk about making the best of a mistake!
A Gibraltar is an espresso drink consisting of two shots of espresso accompanied by close to two ounces of steamed milk, always the same volume: one double shot of espresso and two ounces of steamed milk. It’s served in a small Libbey “Gibraltar” tumbler, a 4.5-ounce rock glass with a tapered, octagonal bottom. The drink quickly became an insider favorite among coffee geeks and spread far beyond San Francisco’s borders.
The Flat White: Australia’s Answer to the Perfect Coffee Balance
Hailing from Australia, the flat white is essentially a drink the size of a cappuccino but made with milk textured like a latte. This might sound complicated, but it’s actually quite brilliant – you get the strong coffee flavor of a smaller drink without the thick foam that can mask the espresso’s character.
When one is sipping on it they will observe there is no layer of foam or froth on the top – thus providing the “flat” portion of the designation “flat white”. Australian coffee culture has always been about maximizing the coffee experience, and the flat white does exactly that. Flat whites have a more velvety layer of microfoam incorporated throughout the drink, rather than just on top, creating a more uniform texture and a richer mouthfeel.
The Breve: America’s Rich and Indulgent Secret
While most coffee drinks use regular milk, the breve takes a completely different approach. It’s an espresso-based drink made with cream instead of milk – richer and more indulgent than a latte, try it with white chocolate or caramel for dessert-level delight. This drink isn’t for the faint of heart or those watching their calories, but when you want something truly decadent, nothing beats a well-made breve.
The cream creates an entirely different mouthfeel compared to traditional milk-based drinks. The Breve’s extra fat makes the drink more decadent, and delicious. Many baristas recommend trying it with single-origin espresso since the cream’s richness won’t overpower more delicate coffee flavors. It’s like drinking liquid velvet, and once you’ve had one, regular lattes might seem a bit thin by comparison.
Cold Brew: The Modern Marvel That’s Here to Stay
Cold brew isn’t going anywhere, but in 2025, it’s evolving in exciting ways with unique flavors, more convenient ready-to-drink options, and functional cold brews packed with health-boosting ingredients. The brewing method itself creates something completely different from regular iced coffee – it’s smoother, less acidic, and naturally sweeter.
For cold brew, coarsely ground coffee is placed in room temperature water and allowed to steep for an extended period of time, resulting in a less bitter, highly caffeinated brew. Health-conscious consumers are seeking out cold brews infused with adaptogens, probiotics, and collagen to support wellness goals while still enjoying their caffeine fix, providing benefits like improved digestion, enhanced focus, and sustained energy without the typical caffeine crash. It’s coffee that actually makes you feel better, not just more awake.
Shaken Espresso: The Instagram-Worthy Drink That Actually Tastes Amazing
Shaken espresso beverages were time-consuming to make but so, so satisfying, filling a shaker with ice and pouring espresso shots on top. This isn’t just about the visual appeal, though that’s definitely part of the charm.
Shaking the espresso and ice until bubbles formed, then pouring the ice and espresso mixture into the cup and topping it with milk, created a beautiful white-brown contrast, like a reverse macchiato – the final product was gorgeous, and shaking the drink was a lot of fun. The shaking process actually changes the texture of the espresso, making it lighter and more integrated with the ice and milk. It’s theatrical coffee-making at its best, and the taste matches the spectacle.
Pistachio Latte: The Trendy Flavor That’s Actually Worth the Hype
The Iced Pistachio-Choc Latte brings you the trendy Dubai Chocolate in a liquid form with aromatic espresso, pistachio flavor, and cool milk foam. Pistachio has become one of the most requested flavors in specialty coffee shops, and for good reason – it adds a nutty sweetness that complements espresso beautifully without being overpowering.
The Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado won me over – the brown sugar flavor isn’t overpowering and the drink isn’t as sweet as the limited-edition Pistachio Latte or a Caramel Macchiato. The pistachio flavor works especially well with oat milk, creating a creamy, plant-based treat that even dairy lovers appreciate. The TikTok trend with “Dubai Chocolate” started in 2024 and continues to fascinate people this year, proving that some social media trends actually have staying power.
Specialty Spring Seasonals: The Artisan Drinks Worth Seeking Out
Aromatic flavors of rose and cardamom permeate throughout Artisan Coffee Shop’s Spring Latte, while flavors of rosemary, lavender, and turmeric bring life to Redefined Coffee House’s seasonal menu. These aren’t just gimmicky flavor additions – skilled baristas are creating drinks that tell a story about seasons, ingredients, and craftsmanship.
Slow Bloom Coffee Co-op is combining strawberry and matcha in their Strawberry Daydream: house-made strawberry milk topped with Mizuba Tea Co. matcha, along with other seasonal specials including their Raspberry Caramel Latte and Hibiscus Rose Slush. These drinks represent coffee culture at its most creative, where baristas experiment with unexpected flavor combinations that actually work. As cafes diversify their options to keep pace with improved accessibility to making excellent coffee at home, the trend towards unique and more exploratory coffee drinks continues at full-throttle, with locales such as Discourse and Dayglow showcasing signature drink menus that present more like something you’d find in a high-end cocktail lounge than a coffee shop.
What Makes These Drinks Actually Worth Trying
Today’s coffee enthusiasts are craving experiences as much as flavors, seeking cups that are as Instagram-worthy as they are delicious, with coffee preparation becoming a performance art. These seven drinks represent more than just caffeine delivery systems – they’re examples of how coffee culture has evolved into something that values craftsmanship, creativity, and quality above all else.
Each of these drinks offers something unique that you simply can’t get from a standard drip coffee or basic latte. Baristas don’t just serve coffee – they live and breathe it – so their opinions come with serious weight. When coffee professionals consistently recommend certain drinks, it’s because they understand what makes each one special – whether it’s the perfect ratio of ingredients, an innovative preparation method, or a flavor combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. The best part? You don’t need to be a coffee expert to appreciate why these drinks have earned their place on the must-try list.
