Are you looking for a new type of drink that is rich, with robust flavors but is not served in a big cup? Then, the piccolo may just be right for you. If you are a barista, this can be a great addition to your menu and as for you the home brewer, it is a delicious alternative to other coffee choices. We'll tell you everything about the piccolo, its meaning, the ingredients required to make it, and the steps to follow.

For a full comparison of all espresso-based milk drinks, see: Best Coffee Styles to Increase Productivity at Work.

WHAT IS A PICCOLO LATTE?

Piccolo means 'small' in Italian, but this delicious drink is not just a small latte, there is more to it. It is a small beverage that is made with concentrated espresso and milk, usually served in an 85 to 110 ml glass. Piccolo is made with one part espresso and two parts of steamed milk, with a layer of foam on top. The measurements are usually 20 to 30 ml for the espresso and about 40 to 65 ml of milk.

Since the milk is stretched, it will allow both mixtures to blend and all you have to do is add the foam and that's it.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Dark roasted coffee beans or medium roast (finely ground)
• 2 ounces of milk
• Espresso machine or any other coffee maker that brews espresso-style coffee like the Moka pot
• A milk frother
• A small glass

TIP: You'll get the best results if you use an espresso machine to pull a shot. But you can make espresso-style coffee with a Moka pot or an Aeropress. Note that you'll get the best flavors if you use freshly roasted coffee beans and grind them just before brewing.

RELATED: HOW TO GRIND COFFEE

STEP ONE: PULL A SHOT OF ESPRESSO

If you own an espresso machine, pull a ristretto shot using 20 grams of coffee and about 20 seconds to brew. If it's a portable espresso maker you are using, don't add too much water so you can get a more concentrated shot. If you don't have any of these, brew strong coffee using a French press or a Moka pot.

STEP TWO: STEAM THE MILK

If you own an automatic milk frother, use it to steam the milk while the espresso is brewing. If you don't own one, you can heat the milk on your stove using low heat, then use a whisk to get the froth. Or you can put the milk in a jar, heat it in the microwave and shake vigorously to get some foam.

STEP THREE: COMBINE THE MIXTURE AND SERVE

Once the espresso is brewed, pour it into a small cup and add the steamed milk slowly. You may not be able to practice your latte art with this small cup but if you angle the glass a bit, there will be more surface for you to get creative with. Serve your piccolo and enjoy!

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT THE PICCOLO DRINK

Most people say that the piccolo latte originated from Australia, especially Sydney. It happened when baristas were trying to get creative - they wanted to test mixtures without having to take too much milk all through the day. The drink has gained much popularity all over Australia and the world at large. The word piccolo was another name for a small flute, so it refers to something small. It all makes sense that the piccolo is the smaller version of the popular latte drink.

The piccolo is made with a ristretto (a concentrated shot of espresso) of usually 20 ml. Although it has a concentrated flavor, it doesn't mean it is bitter - this is due to the short extraction time. The piccolo can be served in a small latte glass known as a demitasse that holds around 100 ml.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PICCOLO AND OTHER MILK DRINKS

LATTE

The piccolo is usually called the piccolo latte but it doesn't mean it's the same thing as a latte. A latte is served in a larger cup - a normal latte is about 220 ml, unlike the piccolo that is around 114 ml. The piccolo also contains more espresso than the typical latte.

CAPPUCCINO

A cappuccino is larger in quantity, usually served in a 140 to 170 ml glass, and the milk is steamed with more air, producing a frothier texture. Piccolo is similar to the cappuccino in that the steamed milk creates more distinct layers, but the piccolo's milk blends a bit more with the espresso, creating a bold flavor that's different.

FLAT WHITE

The flat white is made with a double shot of espresso while the piccolo is always made with a single shot. The double shot gives the flat white a bolder espresso taste compared to the piccolo, despite having the same milk consistency.

MACCHIATO

The macchiato and piccolo are both served in small cups with a single shot of espresso, but the milk for a macchiato is steamed to have a frothy texture - only a few teaspoons are added to the espresso. The experience is different from the blended milk and espresso used in a piccolo.

PICCOLO AND CORTADO

The cortado is often mistaken for the piccolo but they are not the same. The cortado is made with a double shot of espresso while the piccolo is served in a smaller 90 to 114 ml cup with a single shot.