How to Make a Perfect Cappuccino

If you’ve been hanging out on our blog for a while, you know we’re big fans of sharing our coffee know-how. From our How to Make a Great Cup of Coffee guide to our step-by-step How to Make a Pour Over tutorial, we love helping you level up your home coffee game. Today, we’re diving into another cafe classic: the cappuccino. Whether you’ve been sipping them for years or just wondering what exactly goes into one, we’ll break down what a cappuccino is, the espresso content therein, how to make one, and all with tips to help you nail that perfect, fluffy foam at home.

What Is a Cappuccino? (And Why It’s Your New Favorite Coffee Friend)

Let’s start with the basics: a cappuccino is the perfect coffee middle-child. Not as intense as a straight espresso, not as milky as a latte, just a beautiful balance of rich coffee, silky milk, and fluffy foam. Traditionally, it’s made with one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third milk foam. That balance is the magic.

The name comes from the Capuchin monks, whose brown robes matched the warm, creamy color of the drink. (Fun fact: cappuccino literally means “little hood” in Italian.)

How Much Coffee Is in a Cappuccino?

Here’s where we get into numbers. Don’t worry, no pop quiz later. A traditional cappuccino is usually:

• 1 shot of espresso (about 25 mL)

• Equal parts steamed milk and milk foam to fill a 5 to 6-ounce cup. We use 6-ounce cups in our cafes.

Some cafes will double up on the espresso for extra oomph, which we like to recommend. That can impact texture balance as there’s less room available for the added milk, but the beverage becomes more coffee-forward, which we like.

If you’ve heard of wet or dry cappuccinos, here’s the difference:

• Wet = more steamed milk, less foam (creamier)

• Dry = more foam, less steamed milk (stronger espresso flavor). This will obviously be lighter. 

Still the same amount of coffee inside—just a different feel in the cup.

How to Make a Cappuccino at Home (No Beret Required)

You don’t need to be a trained barista or own a café to pull off a killer cappuccino. You just need some good beans, a decent machine, a little technique, and a willingness to have fun with it.

1. Gather Your Tools

• Espresso machine with steam wand (or a stovetop espresso maker + separate milk frother if you’re DIY-ing)

• Freshly ground espresso beans

• Cold milk (whole milk gives that velvety foam, but oat, almond, or soy can work too)

• A cappuccino cup (around 5–6 ounces)

2. Pull Your Espresso

Grind fresh beans to a fine espresso texture. Tamp evenly and firmly (think “firm handshake,” not “Hulk smash”). Pull one shot (20-25 mL) or two (40-45 mL)  if you’re feeling bold. Pour into your cup.

3. Steam Your Milk

Pour about 3–4 ounces of cold milk into your frothing pitcher. Submerge the steam wand tip just under the surface to introduce air, then dip it deeper to heat the milk to around 140–150°F (60–65°C).

You’re aiming for microfoam: creamy, glossy, no big bubbles.

4. Combine Like a Pro

• Espresso goes in first.

• Then pour the steamed milk in a gentle swirl.

• Spoon or pour the foam over the top until your cup is full and fluffy.

If you’re feeling fancy, this is your chance for latte art—hearts, rosettas, or the classic “butt-shaped blob that kind of looks like a heart if you squint.”

Cappuccino Variations to Try

• Wet Cappuccino: More milk, smoother texture—closer to a latte but still with a foamy cap.

• Dry Cappuccino: More foam, bolder coffee flavor—great if you like a little bite.

• Iced Cappuccino: Cold milk, cold foam, over ice—summer’s best friend.

Pro tip: play around with different milks for different flavors and foam textures. Oat milk brings a nutty sweetness, and almond milk is lighter. Dairy-free barista-series alternative milks often foam beautifully.

Why We Love Cappuccinos (And Think You Will Too)

Cappuccinos are all about balance—the strength of espresso, the comfort of warm milk, the joy of fluffy foam. They’re also the perfect size: small enough to drink before it cools, big enough to savor.

At Stone Creek Coffee, we love cappuccinos because they’re approachable for new coffee drinkers but still exciting for espresso purists. Plus, they’re the ultimate “treat yourself” drink without needing whipped cream or caramel drizzle (though we’re not judging if that’s your thing).

Quick Recap for the Coffee Curious

• What is a cappuccino? A balanced espresso drink with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.

• How to make a cappuccino? Pull an espresso, steam your milk to silky perfection, and combine in a small cup.

• How much coffee is in a cappuccino? Usually one shot (25 mL), sometimes two—same coffee, different milk-to-foam ratio.

Once you’ve made one, you’ll see why it’s been an Italian cafe staple for over a century.