If your New Year's resolutions include getting more stuff accomplished, then by golly, you're going to need some caffeine to fuel your endeavors. And happily, Starbucks has rolled out a brand-new drink to add to your regular rotation. The Latte Macchiato is slated to join the Bux's permanent menu starting Jan. 5. So what's in a Starbucks Latte Macchiato, you ask? Well, let's dive right in and discuss what makes it different from the other caffeinated beverages you might imbibe in 2016.
To kick things off, let's break down the name to better clarify the drink's components. What is the meaning of macchiato, after all? We guzzle them on the daily, but we give little thought to the term, other than to think about how good they taste going down the gullet. "Macchiato," as it turns out, means "marked" or "stained" in Italian. With many macchiato varieties — think the Caffé Macchiato or Espresso Macchiato — a shot or two of espresso is "marked" with a small amount of steamed milk.
But here's where the "latte" part kicks into play. In lattes, the espresso-to-steamed-milk ratio is skewed in favor of the milk. So instead of the espresso being marked by a small amount of steamed milk, as with traditional macchiatos, the latte macchiato is essentially the reverse — the steamed milk is marked by espresso. So thanks to the Starbucks Newsroom, we know the nuts and bolts of the process baristas will follow to whip up a cup:
The new Latte Macchiato features steamed whole milk that is perfectly aerated and free-poured creating dense foam reminiscent of meringue. The beverage is then marked by slowly-poured full espresso shots, creating a signature espresso dot. Starbucks baristas will use this carefully crafted technique to draw out an intensely bold and roasty flavor that highlights the Starbucks espresso in the beverage.
There's just the two ingredients — the milk and the espresso — but the beauty of the drink is in how those two flavors intermingle, thanks to the technique used in how it's made. All Starbucks drinks are fully customizable, by the way, so if whole milk isn't your thing, you can also switch it up with two percent, soy, or whatever else your little heart desires.
Got more questions? We've got answers.
Is the Latte Macchiato caffeinated?
Why yes, please and thank you. Although nutrition information specific to the Latte Macchiato has not yet been released, we know that a solo (one ounce) shot contains 75 mg of caffeine. A doppio, or double shot, contains 150 mg. A triple contains 225 mg. And so on. Since we know that the Latte Macchiato contains "slowly poured full espresso shots," plural, we can deduce we're looking at 150 mg of caffeine or more. But hey, decaf espresso is also a thing, so ... there's that.
How does it get its layered look?
This is one of those beverages which are almost too pretty to drink. Almost. So how does it get its distinctive look? Apparently, it's all in the wrist. "The slow pour allows the espresso to temporarily suspend between the steamed milk at the bottom and the foam on top, creating a softly layered look as the espresso settles into the milk," shares a Starbucks rep with Bustle via email.
When can I start ordering it?
Go ahead and pull out your calendar so you can mark this date, fellow coffee aficionados. Are you ready? The countdown is on, and you can start sipping Starbucks Latte Macchiato — drumroll please — Tuesday, Jan. 5. As in, tomorrow. Henceforth, the Latte Macchiato will be listed alongside Starbucks' existing core espresso concoctions on the menu, which includes the Doppio Espresso, Caffé Americano, Flat White, Cappucino, and Caffé Latte. Happy New Year, indeed!
Images: Starbucks; Giphy (3)
