What Is a Breve Coffee? Unveiling This Creamy Espresso Delight

Are you looking for a latte-like drink that is more creamy, rich, and decadent? If so, then you have to try a Breve coffee.

But what is a breve?

In summary:

A Breve is considered the “American” version of the Italian latte which is made with steamed or frothed half-and-half rather than whole milk. 

Half-and-half is equal parts whole milk and light cream, making it much richer and creamier and with a higher fat content. The fat content of half-and-half is around 12 percent whereas whole milk is at 3.5 percent. 

To make a Breve coffee at home, or when you order one from Starbucks, the drink is simply made by combining one double shot of espresso with two ounces of steamed or frothed half-and-half, at a 1:1 ratio. The taste is rich, smooth, and delicious. 

For more details, I’ll go into all the variations of a Breve and everything you need to know to whip one up yourself at home.

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What are the different types of Breve coffee?

Although the Breve Coffee is delicious in its original form, some coffee lovers enjoy putting their own little twist on it or using the Breve formula and applying it to other drinks like a Flat White or Misto. 

There are many different variations of the Breve that you can make at home or order from your local Starbucks. Here are some of our favorites. 

Iced Breve

An Iced Breve is a delicious drink that can be enjoyed in the summertime when you are looking for a creamy cold caffeine boost. 

To make an Iced Breve:

1. Simply combine one double shot of espresso with two ounces of half-and-half and pour over ice.
2. If you have a bartender’s cocktail shaker, you can combine the espresso and half-and-half with ice, shake it, and then let it sit for a minute or two to chill.
3. Lastly, using a strainer, pour the mixed drink into a glass. Voila!

Flat White Breve

A Flat White Breve is another favorite among coffee drinkers who prefer an even creamier coffee experience. The main differences between a Breve and a Flat White are dairy, ratio, and technique. 

For example, to make a Flat White Breve:

1. You will use half-and-half rather than whole milk and the ratio is going to be ⅓ espresso to ⅔ half-and-half rather than 1:1.
2. Lastly, when making the drink, you will first add steamed half-and-half to the espresso followed by a layer of microfoam. Simply divine!

Vanilla Breve Latte

The creamiest of all the Breve variations is the Breve Latte. For this recipe, we have decided to include some vanilla to take the deliciousness level to new heights. For your vanilla flavor, you can use vanilla extract or a premade vanilla bean syrup that you find at your local grocery store. 

To make a Vanilla Breve Latte, you are going to use half-and-half again rather than whole milk. Also, the ratio of dairy to espresso is going to be much higher than other drinks. 

For example, some recipes call for a ratio of 1 part espresso to 3 parts half-and-half, however, some coffee houses use a ratio of 1:4 or 1:5. If you are making your own Vanilla Breve Latte at home, then the ratio really depends on you and how creamy you want your drink. 

Whatever the ratio you decide,

1. Simply pour the espresso into your glass, add about a teaspoon of your vanilla flavor,
2. Then add the steamed half-and-half. If you would like a stronger vanilla flavor, you can add more vanilla to taste. Another cup please!

Breve Misto

If you are a fan of the Caffe Misto, then you may want to try a Breve Misto for a more intense and creamy flavor. The Breve Misto is made by simply adding equal parts steamed half-and-half and brewed coffee rather than the steamed whole milk and coffee combination that a Caffe Misto calls for. 

How to order a Breve at Starbucks

You can order any espresso drink that comes with milk as a Breve simply by adding the word in front of the drink you would like. 

For example, you can order a Breve Latte, Breve Cappuccino, Breve Misto, or a Breve Flat White. All it means is that you would like the drink prepared normally but you would prefer that the barista uses half-and-half instead of milk.

How do you pronounce Breve?

To pronounce Breve properly when ordering the drink, the “E’s” take on an “A” sound to sound like BRAVE-A.

What’s in a Breve?

Breve coffee ingredients

The ingredients for a Breve Coffee include espresso and half-and-half. For a 12 oz Breve at Starbucks, there are 426 calories, 37 grams of fat, 9 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of protein, and 93.5 mg of caffeine.

Breve coffee calories

As you have probably guessed, because the Breve comes with half-and-half rather than whole milk, the calorie count and fat content are much higher. If you order a Tall 12 oz Breve from Starbucks, then you will be consuming approximately 37 grams of fat and 426 calories. 

What is the difference between a Latte and a Breve?

The main differences between a Latte and a Breve include dairy and ratio. A Breve is made using half-and-half whereas a Latte is typically made using whole milk. 

When it comes to ratio, a Breve is made using a 1:1 ratio of espresso and steamed half-and-half whereas a Latte can have a 1:3, 1:4, or even a 1:5 ratio of espresso to steamed milk depending on who makes it. 

Honestly I’m surprised you read all the way to the end and haven’t ran to get your cup of Breve coffee yet!

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