Is a caramel macchiato a real macchiato?

Not the classic kind. A caramel macchiato is a big vanilla latte with espresso poured on top and a caramel drizzle. A traditional macchiato is a tiny espresso with a dab of foam.

Which is stronger, a macchiato or a cortado?

The macchiato tastes stronger since it's nearly all espresso. A cortado has about as much milk as coffee, which softens the bitterness.

Macchiato vs cortado: what's the difference?

A traditional macchiato is a shot of espresso marked with a spoonful of milk foam, while a cortado is espresso cut with about the same amount of warm milk; both vary by café.

Macchiato

Tart

Sweet

Not bitter

Bracing

Crisp

Rich

Basically an espresso with a dab of foam: short, strong and bold.

Cortado

Tart

Sweet

Not bitter

Bracing

Crisp

Rich

Half espresso, half warm milk, smooth but still punchy.

The real difference

Macchiato means marked or stained in Italian: the espresso gets just a spot of foam. A cortado, from Spain, is espresso cut with roughly equal steamed milk and little foam, served in a small glass. Many US chains sell a caramel macchiato, which is a whole different drink.

Side by side

MacchiatoCortado

MilkA spoonful of foamAbout equal to the espresso

SizeAbout 2 to 3 ozAbout 4 oz

TastesStrong, bitter, barely softenedBalanced, smooth, still strong

Which to order

Order a macchiato if you like straight espresso but want the edge taken off.
Order a cortado if you want a small coffee that's strong but smooth.

Quick questions

Is a caramel macchiato a real macchiato?: Not the classic kind. A caramel macchiato is a big vanilla latte with espresso poured on top and a caramel drizzle. A traditional macchiato is a tiny espresso with a dab of foam.
Which is stronger, a macchiato or a cortado?: The macchiato tastes stronger since it's nearly all espresso. A cortado has about as much milk as coffee, which softens the bitterness.