In this post I will go over a few basic espresso based drinks and how they differ, discuss my Flair Wizard Steamer, as well as give a recipe for the viral Aerocano drink seen on TikTok. Although this post is a little all over the place, it all ties back to espresso.
Espresso Drinks: What is What
There are countless espresso drinks out there, but in this post I want to go over some of the basics. Knowing your drinks is useful in more ways than one. At home, it helps you figure out what you actually enjoy and gives you a starting point for experimenting. Maybe you have been making lattes every morning but have never tried a cortado, and it turns out that is your favorite drink. Beyond making your own drinks, it's still generally good knowledge to have. Walking into a coffee shop and actually understanding the menu, knowing what the options are and how they differ, makes the experience better. You can order with confidence instead of just pointing at something that sounds familiar. Here is a breakdown of some of the most common ones:
Latte — The latte is probably the most familiar. It is a shot or two of espresso topped with a large amount of steamed milk and just a thin layer of foam on top. A typical latte runs anywhere from 8 to 12 oz, with most of that volume being milk. The high milk to espresso ratio makes it the mildest and creamiest of the group. If you are newer to espresso drinks, a latte is a forgiving and approachable place to start.
Cappuccino — A cappuccino uses equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, and is noticeably smaller than a latte — usually around 5 to 6 oz total. The drink is denser and the espresso flavor comes through more strongly. Traditional cappuccinos are dry and airy on top. that thick layer of foam is part of what defines it. It is usually equal parts espresso, steamed milk, foamed milk.
Cortado — A cortado is equal parts espresso and steamed milk, with very little to no foam, usually landing around 4 oz total. It is a small, balanced drink that does not dilute the espresso but takes away some of the edge. If you want something short but not as intense as a straight shot, a cortado is a great option.
Macchiato — A macchiato is espresso with just a small amount of milk foam or steamed milk. It is usually just 2 to 3 oz. It is not the same as the large, sweetened drinks that go by the same name at chain coffee shops. A traditional macchiato is a small, mostly espresso drink.
Americano vs. Long Black — These two are often used interchangeably, but they are made differently. Both are typically 6 to 8 oz. An americano is espresso poured into hot water. A long black is hot water poured first, then the espresso shot on top, ideally as close to the water as possible. The long black preserves more of the crema and has a slightly different texture and taste as a result. Neither uses milk, however it can be enjoyed however you like.
My Flair Wizard Steamer
I will be honest, I tend to drink cold espresso drinks more often than hot ones, especially now that the weather is warming up, so the steamer does not come out as much as you might expect. That said, I would not want to give it up. The quality of steam it produces is something a simple frother cannot replicate, and it is still something I reach for when I want a proper milk-based drink. It is also worth mentioning, a steamer is not just for hot drinks. Later in this post I will share my aerocano recipe, which is a great cold drink that actually uses the steamer, so do not count it out just because it is getting warmer.
The Flair Wizard is a stovetop milk steamer. You fill the reservoir, put it on the burner, wait for it to come up to pressure, and then steam your milk using the wand. It holds 700ml of water, which is enough to steam quite a bit of milk before needing a refill. The steam it produces is dry and powerful — the kind of steam you get from a commercial espresso machine, not a cheap handheld frother. That matters because dry steam creates microfoam rather than large, airy bubbles. Microfoam is that silky, glossy texture you see in lattes at good coffee shops, and it is what makes latte art possible.
A few features I appreciate: the cool touch steam wand, which makes handling it much safer, the built-in pressure gauge so you can see exactly when it is in the right steaming range, and the automatic pressure release valve for safety. It also comes with two different nozzles. One single hole tip for beginners and a three hole tip for more experienced baristas who want more volume and speed. As of now I’ve only used the single hole tip, but maybe one day. The Wizard also works on basically any heat source: gas, electric coil, glass top, and most induction cooktops, which makes it very versatile.
There definitely is a learning curve with steaming milk, and I am far from making good latte art. Getting the milk to the right temperature and texture takes practice. You want to aim for around 140°F, or when the pitcher is just too hot to touch. You also want a smooth, tight foam, not bubbles. It took me many attempts before I felt confident, but that process is part of what makes it satisfying.
Flair recently released an electric version called the Flair eWizard, and I will not pretend I did not feel a little sting when I saw the announcement. The eWizard is a standalone electric milk steamer, meaning no stovetop required. I likely would have bought this steamer if it was out when I purchased mine, but it is a bit more expensive. The convenience of not needing the stovetop is real. That said, the original Wizard is not lacking in any meaningful way. It produces the same quality steam, and it has the added bonus of being portable enough to take camping or traveling. I have made peace with my choice.
If you have any questions about either version, feel free to reach out through the contact page. I am happy to share more.
The Aerocano
If you spend any time on coffee TikTok, you might have heard of the Aerocano. It has been trending for a while now and for good reason. Its a fun, unique, and low ingredient espresso drink. I tried it after seeing several videos, and it has become one of my regular drinks.
What is an Aerocano? An Aerocano is essentially an americano made with aerated or foamed water instead of still hot water. The result is a lighter, almost effervescent espresso drink with a different texture than a traditional americano. It has a similar ribbony display and mouthfeel as a Nitro coffee has, without needing nitrogen. The water foam softens the espresso without fully diluting it, and the drink ends up feeling more interesting in the mouth. It is hard to describe until you try it, but if you enjoy americanos or Nitro coffees, this is absolutely worth making.
How to make an Aerocano:
You will need a steam wand to aerate the water. Here is the process I use:
- Pull your espresso shot as you normally would
- Pour it into a steaming pitcher full of ice. I also add my sweetener at this time.
- Steam the ice and espresso just like you would steam a pitcher of milk, but don't stop when it's too hot to touch, stop right when the ice fully melts, when the drink is still cold.
- Pour over ice and watch the ribbony effect
- Enjoy. If you'd like a creamier version try adding milk or cream to the pitcher, or to the final product.
TikTok has a lot of great Aerocano videos if you want to see the process visually.
Espresso is rarely just espresso, and part of the joy of building a home setup is learning how to make the full range of drinks you enjoy. As always, if you have questions about anything I covered here please feel free to reach out and ask. I am always happy to talk through it.
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