Local Coffee Shop
8 oz Double Cortado
- • Four shots espresso
- • Whole milk, steamed to 140°
- • Thin microfoam, no latte art needed
How to Order a Cortado: Exact Wording & Starbucks Options
At an independent shop, ask for a cortado: espresso with roughly an equal amount of steamed milk and very little foam. It's small and espresso-forward. Recipes vary by café, and Starbucks has its own larger version. Start with an order below, then choose your milk.
Order it like this
How to order these without fumbling
- Ask for it in a glass if you want the traditional build.
- It's a double shot by default at most shops.
- Skip the syrup — a cortado is meant to show off the espresso.
All cortado
Local Coffee ShopStrong
8 oz Double Cortado
- Size
- 8 oz
- Shots
- Four shots espresso
- Milk
- Whole milk, steamed to 140°
- Top
- Thin microfoam, no latte art needed
Sources & menu details
Questions people ask
What is a cortado?
A double shot of espresso with an equal amount of steamed milk and very little foam, served about four ounces.
Cortado vs flat white — what's the difference?
A flat white is bigger with more milk and a thin microfoam layer. A cortado is roughly half the size with a one-to-one espresso-to-milk ratio.
Does Starbucks have a cortado?
Yes. The U.S. Starbucks menu lists a Short, 8 fl oz Cortado with three ristretto shots of Blonde Espresso and steamed whole milk. Signature Espresso Roast may be substituted if Blonde is unavailable. Check your local store's menu for availability.
Is a piccolo the same as a cortado?
Not usually. A cortado is commonly roughly equal parts espresso and steamed milk; a piccolo latte typically has more milk relative to espresso. Names and recipes vary by café, so ask how the shop makes each one.
What should I say when ordering a cortado?
Ask for "a cortado with whole milk." If it is not on the menu, ask whether the café can make a double espresso with roughly an equal amount of steamed milk and very little foam. Specify a different milk if you prefer it.
Related guides
Local coffee shop orders
Simple, well-built drinks from independent coffee shops — cortados, single origin pour overs, honey lattes and more.
Starbucks orders
Real Starbucks orders with the exact size, milk, syrup pumps and modifications — copy the order text and read it at the counter.
Strong coffee orders
High caffeine coffee orders with extra shots, blonde espresso and cold brew bases, written out ready to order.
Browse other guides
How to order at StarbucksStarbucks decaf drinksDunkin iced coffee ordersStarbucks ordersStarbucks secret menuPink DrinkBrown Sugar Shaken EspressoDirty chai lattePeppermint mochaGolden Eagle (Dutch Bros)Dunkin ordersDutch Bros secret menuDutch Bros ordersLocal coffee shop ordersMatcha drinksIced coffee ordersCold brew ordersStrong coffee ordersSweet coffee ordersLow calorie coffee ordersDairy free coffee ordersSeasonal coffee ordersPumpkin spice latteMedicine BallCaramel macchiatoVanilla sweet cream cold brewIced americanoAnnihilator (Dutch Bros)Starbucks holiday drinksChestnut praline latteCaramel brulée latteGingerbread latteEggnog lattePeppermint white mocha