Flat White Coffee Recipe: Creamy Espresso Drink Classic 2026

The flat white is a coffee drink that originated in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s, and it has since become a favorite in cafés around the world. Both nations claim their own version of how and where it was born, but the idea was simple: a milk coffee that is less foamy than a cappuccino and stronger than a latte.

What sets the flat white apart is its texture and the balance of its ingredients. Instead of the thick, airy foam cap of a cappuccino or the simple warm milk of a café con leche, it uses a fine microfoam that blends smoothly into the espresso for a velvety, harmonious sip.

You only need two ingredients and about ten minutes to make one at home. Below you will find all the tricks for a perfect flat white, including a very easy way to draw a heart in the foam.

Ingredients for Flat White

This recipe makes 1 serving.

• 30 ml espresso coffee
• 150 ml whole milk

How to Make Flat White Step by Step

1. Pull the espresso shot

First, prepare 30 ml of espresso coffee in a cup. If you do not have an espresso machine, you can use another type of coffee maker as long as you get a full-bodied coffee that makes a good base for your flat white.

2. Heat and texture the milk

Heat 150 ml of whole milk in a small pitcher to about 60-65 °C. Then insert the steam wand or a milk frother to texture it until you get a fine microfoam with very small, almost imperceptible bubbles.

3. Pour the milk from above

Next, hold the milk pitcher in one hand and the cup with the espresso in the other, tilting it slightly. At first, pour the milk in a thin, steady stream, making circles, from a height of about 5 cm. This helps the milk mix with the espresso without breaking the crema on the coffee.

4. Lower the pitcher and draw a heart

As the cup fills, lower the pitcher and pour more milk. Once the cup is almost full and the milk starts to appear on the surface, bring the pitcher close to the coffee and gently move it back and forth while continuing to pour the foam. At the end, move the pitcher forward in a straight line to cut through and create the shape of a heart.

Tips for the Best Flat White

Use a strong, full-bodied espresso

The espresso is the backbone of the drink, so choose a coffee with enough body to stand up to the milk. If you are not using an espresso machine, any method that yields a concentrated, flavorful coffee will work as a base.

Keep the microfoam fine

Whole milk gives the creamiest result, and the goal is tiny, almost invisible bubbles rather than a thick foam cap. Heat the milk only to around 60-65 °C so it stays sweet and does not taste cooked.

Control the pour for a clean heart

Start high with a thin stream to blend the milk into the espresso, then bring the pitcher close as the cup fills. A gentle back-and-forth motion followed by a straight pull through the foam is all it takes to finish with a heart.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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