Did you know that a breve coffee is made with half-and-half instead of whole milk? This means the espresso has more room to move and it makes for a richer, creamier cup.
For those who enjoy a creamy, heavy coffee drink in the morning or as a dessert, this might be your perfect drink! It’s also great as an after-dinner treat or when you want something sweet without all the calories.
To learn more about this American espresso drink, keep reading!
What is the difference between a latte and a breve?

When comparing a breve to a caffè latte, the difference is in the dairy used. While a caffè breve has half-and-half caffè latte has milk.
The drink construction is similar is almost the same for a latte and a breve, and the espresso to dairy ratio depends on the coffee shop. Still, is quite common to find a 6:1 milk-to-espresso ratio as a reference.
Because of half-and-half, the breve is heavier and fattier than a whole-milk latte. This makes it a treat on its own. Additionally, it’s slightly different to froth half-and-half properly with an espresso machine wand.
Why is it called breve?

Breve is the Italian word for short, brief, little, or concise. You can ask this espresso drink as a breve, breve coffee, caffè breve, and even latte breve.
Coffee shops serve 16 oz breves, so the size doesn’t have anything to do with its name. As an Americanized version of a latte, it might simply refer to its thinner layer of foam, which makes it a bit shorter than a traditional caffè latte.
What Does a Breve Coffee Taste Like?
A breve latte is sweet without adding sugar or sweeteners, because of milk cream. In this regard, it tastes similar to a latte, with a heavier body, and milky sweetness.
Breve fans like to take it as a treat or a dessert. For this reason, some add sweet syrups like caramel or chocolate.
The combination of cinnamon and half-and-half sweetness makes it a good add-on for the breve as well.
Who is a Breve Coffee For?
This coffee that contains more cholesterol and fat might not be suitable for some diets because of the cream content. It is believed to already taste rich, so it does not need added sugars or sweeteners by many breve drinkers.
An active lifestyle might go well with it, although half-and-half doesn’t seem like a good thing to have in our everyday diet.
Overall, a breve is a dessert in itself, and it’s a great alternative for a morning espresso drink.
It’s not definitely for people who want to reduce their calories intake or want to reduce their dairy consumption.
What is a breve at Starbucks?
Starbucks isn’t currently displaying breve on their menu, but if they have cream, you can ask for a breve latte. It’s quite likely that your barista will know how to make it.
Espresso con panna is part of Starbucks’ regular menu, and it’s an espresso topped with whipped cream. It can be a good option for those who want a sweet espresso drink with less dairy in it.
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Breve Coffee Recipe: How to make it at home without an espresso machine
A breve latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed half-and-half instead of milk. It has a creamy, rich texture and a slightly sweet flavor. The espresso is combined with the half-and-half to create a smooth, velvety beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold. A breve latte is similar to a cappuccino in that it has layers of foam on top, but it differs in that the foam is created from the combination of the espresso and half-and-half rather than just frothed milk. Breve lattes are often served with an extra shot of espresso for an added kick. Whether you’re looking for something to start your day or just need an afternoon pick me up, a breve latte is sure to hit the spot.
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Ingredients
- 100 ml of half-and-half
- 100 ml of strong coffee or a double espresso
Instructions
- Brew a strong cup of coffee with your Moka pot using a 10:1 ratio. That is, if your Moka pot has a chamber with a 125 ml capacity, use 12.5 grams of coffee.
- Heat half-and-half to 56-60 °C. Then, froth until it feels thick and smooth without making it excessively frothy.
- Preheat your cup with a bit of hot water. Discard the hot water and serve 100 ml of strong coffee.
- Add 100 ml of frothed half-and-half. And you’re ready to get an energy boost!
Notes
We used Verywell’s Nutrition Calculator to obtain information on the recipe’s nutrition facts.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Coffee drinks
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 200 ml
- Calories: 133
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 44 mg
- Fat: 11.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3.1 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg
Keywords: breve latte, breve latte coffee, breve, breve coffee