Australia
Australia boasts a vibrant and distinct coffee culture, heavily influenced by Italian immigration and a strong emphasis on quality espresso. Unlike some other countries, drip or filter coffee is less common in everyday cafes, with espresso-based drinks dominating.
Here are the different ways you can order a coffee in Australia, along with what's in them:
Common Espresso-Based Drinks:
Espresso / Short Black: A single shot (around 30ml) of concentrated coffee. It's the foundation for most other drinks. Sometimes called a "short black."
Doppio: A double shot of espresso (around 60ml).
Ristretto: A shorter, more concentrated espresso shot, made with the same amount of coffee grounds but less water. It's known for a more intense, sweeter flavor with less bitterness.
You can order a single or double ristretto.
Long Black: Similar to an Americano, but prepared differently. Hot water is poured into the cup first, and then a double shot of espresso is extracted over the water. This preserves the crema (the reddish-brown foam on top) and results in a stronger, more aromatic black coffee.
Flat White: A quintessential Australian coffee. It consists of a single or double shot of espresso topped with velvety, steamed milk that has very little foam (hence "flat"). The milk is integrated smoothly with the espresso, creating a strong coffee flavor with a creamy texture. Often considered the Australian national coffee.
Latte: Espresso with a larger amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foamed milk on top. It's generally served in a glass and is a milkier, milder option than a flat white. Baristas often create latte art on top.
Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and a thicker layer of foamed milk on top, traditionally dusted with chocolate powder. The foam should be substantial, often thick enough to scoop.
Macchiato:
Short Macchiato: A single espresso "stained" with a very small dollop of steamed milk or foam. It's an espresso with just a touch of milk.
Long Macchiato: A double shot of espresso with a dollop of foam and a small amount of milk. Variations exist, but it's essentially a stronger macchiato.
Piccolo Latte (or simply Piccolo): A smaller version of a latte, typically a single ristretto shot topped with warm, silky milk, served in a small (around 90ml) glass. It's a strong coffee with less milk than a full latte.
Magic: This is a Melbourne specialty (though found elsewhere now). It's a double ristretto topped with approximately three-quarters of a cup of "flat white style" steamed milk. It aims for a stronger, more concentrated coffee experience than a flat white, with a rich, syrupy mouthfeel. Not all cafes offer it.
Mocha (or Mochaccino): Espresso combined with chocolate (syrup or powder) and steamed milk, often topped with whipped cream and/or chocolate dusting. It's a sweet, chocolatey coffee.
Iced Coffee Drinks:
Iced Latte/Cappuccino/Mocha: The chilled versions of their hot counterparts, made with espresso, cold milk, ice, and appropriate flavorings.
Iced Coffee: In Australia, if you just order "iced coffee," you're likely to get a cold coffee drink that includes a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sometimes whipped cream or chocolate syrup, along with espresso and milk. It's more of a dessert-like drink.
Iced Long Black: A long black served over ice.
Cold Brew: Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period (12-24 hours), resulting in a less acidic, smoother, and often stronger concentrate. Served over ice, often with milk or water added to taste.
Other / Less Common / Dessert Coffees:
Affogato: A scoop of vanilla ice cream "drowned" with a shot (or double shot) of hot espresso poured over it. A delicious coffee dessert.
Batch Brew / Filter Coffee: While not as common as espresso, some specialty cafes will offer a "batch brew," which is a larger quantity of filter coffee brewed in an automated machine. This is usually a single-origin coffee intended to be drunk black to appreciate its nuanced flavors.
Alternative Lattes: You might find "lattes" made with different powdered mixes and steamed milk, such as:
Chai Latte: Black tea infused with spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves) and steamed milk, often sweetened.
Turmeric Latte (Golden Latte): Turmeric powder mixed with spices (like ginger, cinnamon) and steamed milk.
Beetroot Latte: Beetroot powder with spices and steamed milk.
Matcha Latte: Japanese green tea powder mixed with steamed milk.
Babyccino: A small amount of frothy, warm milk (no coffee), often dusted with cocoa powder and sometimes served with a marshmallow. Popular for children.
Key things to remember when ordering coffee in Australia:
No "Drip Coffee": If you ask for "black coffee" or "drip coffee," a barista might look confused. Ask for a "long black" if you want a standard black coffee.
Takeaway vs. Dine In: Always specify if you want your coffee "takeaway" (to-go) or "for here" (to drink in the cafe).
Sizes: Most cafes offer "regular" and "large" sizes, sometimes with an "extra large." There isn't typically the vast range of sizes seen in some other countries.
Milk Alternatives: Most cafes offer a variety of milk alternatives like soy, almond, oat, and sometimes coconut milk.
Flavorings: Unlike some international chains, adding flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, etc.) is less common and often limited to a few standard options if available at all. The focus is usually on the quality of the coffee itself.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.