What Is a Caffe Misto + How To Make One

Ever been standing in line at your local coffee shop, scanning the menu like you're deciphering ancient hieroglyphics, and spotted “Caffè Misto” sandwiched between the lattes and cappuccinos? You're not alone. 

The Caffè Misto is one of the coffee world's most underrated coffee drinks — but we're about to change that. In this article, we’ll discuss what a Caffè Misto is, how to make it, and how to customize it so you can enjoy your coffee you-style.

What Is a Caffe Misto?

At its core, a Caffè Misto is simply equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk. That's right — no fancy espresso machines required. It’s similar to a latte and brings a rich coffee flavor with a creamy twist. 

The name comes from the Italian word misto, meaning "mixed," which is exactly what’s happening in your cup. While Starbucks helped popularize the name, opens in a new tab Caffè Misto, the drink itself is rooted in the classic French café au lait. It’s the same drink with a different passport stamp.

How To Make the Perfect Caffe Misto

Making a Caffè Misto at home is one of those little life upgrades that feels fancy without actually requiring barista-level skills. All you need is coffee, milk, and a willingness to feel like a French poet at your kitchen counter. Here's how to make your own cup of creamy magic.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly brewed coffee

• 1 cup steamed milk (whole, oat, almond, or your favorite milk alternative)

• Optional: sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or sugar

• Optional: flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut)

• Optional: cinnamon or cocoa powder for garnish

Directions:

• Brew Your Coffee: Make a strong cup of coffee using your favorite brewing method — drip, French press, pour-over, or even cold brew if you're feeling rebellious. Dark roast or medium roast coffee works best if you're after that rich, bold flavor. Or, you could level up and use our easy-to-brew Mushroom Coffee+ and be ready in a matter of minutes.

• Heat the Milk: Warm your milk on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s hot but not boiling (around 150°F to 160°F if you're the precise type). If you’ve got a frother, now’s the time to flex those milk-frothing muscles. If you don’t have a frother, give the milk a good whisk or shake it up in a jar until it’s light and frothy.

• Combine Like a Pro: Pour equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk into your favorite mug — bonus points if it's one of those aesthetic ceramic mugs.

• Customize It: Sweeteners, syrups, or a sprinkle of cinnamon — this is your moment to make the Caffè Misto your own.

Caffe Misto vs. Latte: What’s the Difference?

Coffee drinks can get confusing even for those of us who live and breathe coffee. So, what's the difference between a Caffè Misto and its more famous cousin, the latte? 

Let’s break it down:

• Base Coffee: A Caffè Misto is made with brewed coffee (think drip or French press), while a latte is made with espresso shots.

• Milk Ratio: A Caffè Misto uses a 1:1 ratio of coffee to steamed milk, while a latte is about 1/3 espresso to 2/3 steamed milk, plus a thick layer of foam.

• Flavor Profile: A Caffè Misto boasts a balanced, mellow, and a little more coffee-forward flavor, while a latte is creamy, rich, and more milk-dominant.

• Caffeine Content: A Caffè Misto has a lower caffeine content (depending on the brewing method), while a latte has a higher caffeine content from concentrated espresso shots.

How To Customize a Caffe Misto

Part of the magic of a Caffè Misto is how easily it can be dressed up to fit your mood — or whatever's in your fridge. There’s always a way to put your own spin on this coffee classic.

Here are some ideas:

• Milk Options: Swap out whole milk for oat, almond, or coconut milk if you're going dairy-free or just trying to impress your taste buds.

• Use Functional Coffee: Make your coffee pull double duty by using our mushroom coffee. Our blend is made with lion’s mane mushroom to support focus, opens in a new tab, chaga mushroom to encourage the immune system, L-theanine to support feelings of relaxation,, and collagen to encourage gut and skin health. And yes, it still tastes just like a delicious cup of coffee.

• Sweeteners: A drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or a dash of vanilla extract can turn your Misto into a sweet treat.

• Flavored Syrups: Feeling fancy? Add a shot of vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut syrup for a coffeehouse vibe without the coffeehouse price.

• Iced Caffè Misto: Brew your coffee strong, chill it, and pour over ice before adding cold frothed milk for the perfect summer pick-me-up.

• Chicory Caffè Misto: For a New Orleans twist, use chicory coffee for a subtly earthy, slightly nutty flavor.

How To Serve a Caffe Misto

A Caffè Misto is the kind of drink that makes you want to slow down and romanticize your morning — and the right snack pairing only adds to the vibe. For breakfast, try it with a buttery croissant or a thick slice of sourdough toast (bonus points if you made the sourdough yourself). 

If you're more of an afternoon coffee drinker, pair it with something slightly sweet like biscotti or banana bread. Feeling indulgent? A square of dark chocolate brings out the coffee's rich flavor without making you feel like you're crashing your own health journey. 

How Can Caffe Mistos Affect Your Health?

Caffè mistos are pretty amazing, but you might be wondering whether they have any more health benefits than a regular cup of coffee. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of coffee and health science.

Caloric Content

The beauty of a Caffè Misto is that it's one of the lighter coffee drinks on the menu — no whipped cream, sugary syrups, or secret calorie bombs hiding under the foam. With whole milk, you're looking at around 100 to 120 calories per cup, opens in a new tab. Swap in oat milk for about the same, or go for almond milk to keep it closer to 60 calories. 

The best part is that you're in full control. Skip the sweeteners, and it's basically just coffee with a little cloud of creamy goodness. Whether you're tracking every calorie or just trying to keep things balanced, one Caffè Misto won't throw your whole day off course.

Caffeine Content

If you're the type of person who googles “how much caffeine is too much caffeine” every other week, you'll be happy to know that the Caffè Misto falls on the more moderate end of the caffeine spectrum. 

Because it’s made with brewed coffee instead of espresso, the caffeine content will depend on your brewing method and coffee beans. On average, an eight-ounce cup of coffee clocks in at around 95 to 125 mg of caffeine, opens in a new tab — more than a latte but less than a straight espresso shot. 

If you’re trying to enjoy a low-caff lifestyle, we totally get it — we try not to overdo it on the caffeine ourselves. Simply use a low-caff coffee option or brew up your cuppa with our Mushroom Coffee+, which only contains 45 mg of caffeine per serving.

Nutritional Benefits

For a coffee drink that's basically just two ingredients, the Caffè Misto still manages to sneak in a few health perks. Coffee itself is packed with antioxidants that can help support the immune system and encourage overall well-being. 

If you're using whole milk or a fortified plant-based alternative, you're also getting a solid dose of calcium and proteins with every sip. Plus, the 1:1 ratio of milk to coffee means you're getting a more balanced drink compared to syrup-heavy lattes. 

The Bottom Line

The Caffè Misto is proof that sometimes the simplest things in life really are the best. With just two ingredients and endless customization options, it's the kind of drink that fits into whatever mood or morning you're having. 

Whether you're cutting back on caffeine or just want something a little smoother than your usual espresso fix, the Caffè Misto delivers. Consider this your official sign to give the most underrated coffee order on the menu the spotlight it deserves. For more coffee-fueled recipes, visit the Everyday Dose blog, opens in a new tab today.

Sources:

What Exactly Is A Caffè Misto At Starbucks? | Tasting Table, opens in a new tab

Caffeine chart | Center for Science in the Public Interest, opens in a new tab

Coffee in New Orleans | New Orleans Historical, opens in a new tab

Milk, whole nutrition facts and analysis | Nutrition Value, opens in a new tab

Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more | Mayo Clinic, opens in a new tab