Breve Coffee

Café Breve is a drink that combines bold espresso and rich half and half. The balance makes for a deliciously creamy sip!

Want a creamy coffee that rhymes with decadence? Attempt Meager Coffee! This little coffee drink packs a punch: strong, powerful espresso paired with a rich half and half. It’s an absolute treat and totally worth ordering at your local coffee shop. It’s also easy to prepare at home using your favorite espresso and frothing method. Learn more about this drink and how to make Breve coffee at home!

What is a briefing?

Cafe Breve, aka short coffee Where letter latte, is a drink that is equal parts espresso and half and half. It’s an Americanized version of the Italian latte that’s even richer and creamier. It’s the narrowest definition of cortado, a drink of Spanish origin made with espresso and whole milk.

A breve is always the same volume: a double shot of espresso and 2 ounces half and half. Like Cortado and Gibraltar, it is often served in a 4.5 ounce glass mug, making it easy to pour accurate amounts.

Short versus Latte

What is the difference between a café breve and a latte? Here are the main differences between a slip and a latte?

• A breve is made with half and half, while a latte uses whole milk.
• A breve is a 1:1 espresso milk; A latte is a 2:1 milk product to an espresso.
• A Breve coffee is 4 ounces and is served in a small glass; A latte typically weighs 6 ounces and can be served in a cup, mug, or glass.
• The milk for a latte is structured in such a way that it becomes a microfoam, a moist, varnish-like texture. Milk for Cafe Breve is steamed but not textured.

The smaller breve is like a more concentrated and richer latte. It has a delicious balance of espresso and dairy, making for an intensely smooth sip.

How to Make a Breve Coffee: Basic Steps

How do you make a breve latte? There are two main tiers that are similar to other popular espresso drinks: latte, cappuccino, flat white, and more. Here’s what to do:

• Prepare a double espresso.
• Steam or foam ¼ cup half and half Use the instructions below.
• Pour the espresso into a small glass, then garnish with half and half mousse.

Make the espresso

You can brew the espresso for a Breve using a traditional countertop espresso machine, or you can use one of the few other espresso-making methods below! Have an excellent roast bean espresso: we recommend Illy, Starbucks or Intelligentsia. Then follow one of these methods:

• espresso machine: Go to How to Make Espresso for instructions! Our favorite espresso machine is this one, but it’s expensive. Or you can do it with or without a machine using one of the following methods:
• Portable espresso machine: Try this manual espresso maker: it’s a lot cheaper, portable, and makes great coffee.
• French press: The French Press Espresso also works great and is perfect if you already have this coffee brewing tool!
• Mocha Sweat: The strong, espresso-like coffee you can get from a moka pot is great for a breve.

Steam or froth half and half

The continuation of a breve latte? Foam half and half! You can use the same processes you would use to steam milk, but use the fattier half and half. Here’s what to do:

• Froth up half and half with a hand frother, French press or whisk. The best tool is a frother if you have one, but a French press works well too. Go to How to froth milk.
• Steam half and half with an espresso machine. Of course, the best use of Cafe Breve is half and half steamed with an espresso machine! Go to How to Steam Milk and use the instructions to strain the milk to 20-25%.

Serve in a small glass

And that’s it: espresso and mix half and half and the Breve is done! It’s typically served in a 4.5 ounce glass that’s the perfect size for 2 ounces of espresso and steamed dairy. We recommend it because it’s good to know when to pour half and half (since it’s easier to froth a double amount of milk). Here are some glass options:

More coffee drinks

Our barista series shows you how to prepare all your favorite coffee or espresso drinks. Here are some others you might like: