Your Guide to Classic Cuban Coffee Rituals, Right from Your Kitchen
There’s something unmistakably magical about Café Cubano and Cortadito—two iconic espresso-based drinks that represent not just flavor, but culture, connection, and community. Whether you’re in the heart of Miami or across the country, making these drinks at home gives you a little slice of Havana soul in every sip. Indeed, Cuban coffee adds a unique cultural experience to every morning ritual.
☕ What Are Café Cubano and Cortadito?
Café Cubano, also called Cuban espresso, is a small but intense coffee shot sweetened with sugar and topped with a signature espuma—a whipped, creamy foam created by mixing sugar with the first few drops of espresso.
Cortadito takes that same Café Cubano base and softens it with steamed milk (typically in a 1:1 ratio), creating a drink that’s still rich and sweet, but smoother and a bit more mellow. When you drink a Cortadito, you’re embracing Cuban coffee traditions.
Together, they are staples of Miami coffee culture, served in demitasse cups and shared at social hubs called ventanitas.
🧾 Ingredients & Equipment
For Café Cubano:
- 2 tbsp finely ground dark roast espresso (Bustelo or Pilon preferred)
- 2 oz water
- 1½–2 tsp granulated sugar
For Cortadito:
- 2 oz Café Cubano (from above)
- 2 oz steamed milk (evaporated or whole)
Tools Needed:
- Moka pot or espresso machine
- Demitasse cups
- Small whisk or spoon
- Milk steaming pitcher or saucepan
🧋 How to Make Café Cubano & Cortadito – Step by Step
☕ 1. Brew the Espresso (Café Cubano Style)
- Fill your Moka pot with water (to the valve line), add finely ground espresso to the basket (no tamping), and assemble.
- As soon as the first few drops of coffee come out, remove 1 tbsp and pour it into a small bowl with the sugar. This first step emphasizes the importance of starting with a good Cuban coffee base.
🍯 2. Make the Espuma
- Whip the sugar and hot coffee until it becomes pale and frothy—this creates the signature crema.
- Once the rest of the coffee finishes brewing, pour it over the espuma, stir gently, and serve in small cups.
🥛 3. Make a Cortadito
- Steam or heat your milk until just hot (avoid boiling).
- Pour equal parts Café Cubano and milk into a small cup for a perfect blending of flavors rooted in Cuban coffee tradition.
- For a richer, authentic touch, use evaporated milk.
- Optional: Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
🧠 Miami Coffee Culture: More Than Just a Drink
In Miami, grabbing a cup of coffee isn’t just a caffeine fix—it’s a community ritual. Locals gather around ventanitas to enjoy a colada (a large Café Cubano meant to be shared), often with laughter, gossip, and pastelitos in hand. This tradition is inseparable from the love of Cuban coffee.
Want to create this vibe at home? Serve your espresso in small cups, share it with friends or family, and play a little Latin jazz in the background.
🧠 Customization Tips
- Dairy-Free Option: Oatmilk or almond milk works well in place of evaporated milk for the cortadito.
- Less Sweet? Reduce the sugar in the espuma—but it won’t be as authentic!
- Pair It: Serve with Cuban pastries like guava pastelitos or ham croquetas for the full Miami experience.
🛍️ Bring the Culture Home
Want to elevate your home café game? Enjoy your Café Cubano in one of our warm, durable two-tone ceramic mugs, perfect for showcasing crema and color contrast. It adds a touch of Cuban coffee authenticity to your table.
Or browse the full collection on our Etsy shop: SatoshiAlpha on Etsy