How to Make a Cappuccino

Author: Jee Choe

A drink with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 4

Total Time 4

Course Drinks

Yield serving

INGREDIENTS

▢ 2 capsules Nespresso espresso (or 2 espresso shots)
▢ 4 ounces milk

INSTRUCTIONS

Put 2 shots of espresso into a cup.
Grind coffee beans and use an espresso machine to pull 2 shots of espresso into a small mug or cup that can hold 6 ounces. If you want a less strong drink, pull just 1 shot of espresso. Or, use 2 Nespresso espresso capsules.
Steam milk.
Froth 4 ounces of milk, creating some fluffy foam. Put the steam wand into the pitcher with milk just below the surface and turn on the steam. Move the pitcher down so that the steam is just touching the surface for 3 seconds and listen for a paper-tearing sound. Then move the pitcher back up and to the side so that the wand is below the surface and a vortex is created. Any big bubbles should get smaller. Once the milk has doubled in volume and the pitcher is too hot to touch, turn off the steam wand. The milk should look smooth and velvety.
Pour milk into espresso.
Pour slowly so that the foam will stay in the milk pitcher and pour out at the end to top your drink.

EQUIPMENT

Espresso Machine

NOTES

Cappuccinos are notoriously difficult to get right because of their frothiness. Try steaming with whole milk first — or, if you’re dairy-free, a milk with fat and protein like soy milk.