September 13, 2025

Classic Cappuccino Recipe

Few drinks capture coffeehouse charm as perfectly as a classic cappuccino.

With its harmonious layers of bold espresso, silky steamed milk, and a cloud of velvety foam, this Italian favorite turns an everyday morning into a café-worthy ritual.

Whether you’re looking to master latte art or savor a warm, balanced cup, this recipe walks you through each step so you can create barista-level cappuccino right in your own kitchen.

Classic Cappuccino Recipe

A true coffeehouse classic, this cappuccino combines a rich double-shot of espresso with equal parts steamed milk and velvety foam. Quick to prepare at home with just an espresso machine and a milk frother, it delivers the perfect balance of bold flavor and creamy texture; ideal for mornings, afternoon pick-me-ups, or showcasing your latte-art skills.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 4

Cook Time 3

Total Time 7

Course Drinks

Cuisine Italian

Servings 1

Calories 65 kcal

Equipment

Espresso machine (or a machine that can pull espresso shots)
Burr coffee grinder (if using whole beans)
Steam wand or milk steamer / frother
Metal pitcher for milk
Thermometer (optional, but helpful)
Cappuccino cup (5-6 oz capacity)

Ingredients

2 oz double-shot espresso 60 ml
4-5 oz cold whole milk (or milk of choice) 120-150 ml
Optional: sugar or flavored syrup vanilla, caramel, hazelnut
Optional: cinnamon or cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions

Preheat your cup and frothing equipment. Swirl hot water in your cup to warm it and wipe dry.
Grind & pull espresso: use fresh beans, grind just before brewing. Extract a double shot into the warmed cup.
Steam / froth the milk
Pour cold milk into your pitcher.
Insert the steam wand just below the surface to incorporate air (for foam), then lower it slightly to swirl and heat the milk.
Aim for a final milk temperature of ~150-160°F (65-70°C).
Texture: you want equal parts steamed milk and foam, with the foam being silky microfoam (fine, creamy bubbles).
Assemble the cappuccino
Pour the steamed milk over the espresso, holding back foam initially.
Then spoon or let the foam layer sit on top, making a soft cap of foam.
Optionally dust with a pinch of cocoa powder or cinnamon.
Serve immediately, while the foam is fresh and the drink is hot.

Notes

Ratio & Serving

Traditional cappuccino = 1:1:1 ratio: espresso: steamed milk: foam.
If you like a “wet” cappuccino, use a little more steamed milk; for a “dry” version, more foam.
Whole milk gives the creamiest, richest foam. Non-dairy milks can work, but foam quality will depend heavily on the brand and how you steam it.

Variations & Flavor Ideas

Vanilla bean cappuccino — add a drop of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
Spiced cappuccino — sprinkle cardamom, cinnamon, or nutmeg into milk as you froth
Mocha cappuccino — swirl in chocolate (syrup or melted chocolate) before adding milk

Keyword Cappuccino, ClassicCappuccino, coffee, CoffeeClassic, espresso, EspressoLove, hot coffee

There’s something undeniably special about sipping a cappuccino that feels like it came straight from a European café.

The moment you lift the cup, you catch the gentle aroma of freshly pulled espresso mingling with sweet, steamed milk.

The silky foam creates a soft, creamy cap, perfect for that first slow sip. It’s the kind of coffee ritual you find on a cobblestoned street in Rome or a quiet Parisian bistro, where people linger over their drinks and savor the moment.

Bringing that barista-style experience into your own kitchen turns an ordinary morning into a mini getaway, letting you enjoy a taste of European café culture without ever leaving home.