The flat white at Starbucks is a coffee drink made with steamed milk and two ristretto shots of espresso. It creates a creamy, latte-like consistency while preserving the bold coffee flavor. The flat white has its origins in Australia and New Zealand and has grown in popularity around the world in recent years. Starbucks added the flat white to its permanent menu in 2015 due to customer demand.
What are the Origins of the Flat White?
The flat white was created in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. Coffee experts dispute the exact origins, but the drink became popular in cafes in Sydney and Auckland in the mid-1980s. The flat white is believed to have been influenced by the traditional Italian cappuccino, but with less foam and microfoam instead of frothed milk.
The name “flat white” refers to the flat surface of the steamed milk, in contrast to the frothy milk on drinks like cappuccinos. It results in a velvety texture while allowing the espresso to be the dominant flavor. The flat white became a staple drink in cafes in Australia and New Zealand and began to spread in popularity to other countries in the early 2000s.
How does Starbucks make their Flat White?
The Starbucks flat white follows the traditional recipe originating in Australia and New Zealand. It contains two ristretto shots of espresso topped with steamed whole milk and a thin layer of foam. Here is how Starbucks prepares their flat white:
- They use a ristretto shot, which is a shorter 1oz shot of espresso. Ristretto espresso is more concentrated and adds a richer flavor.
- They typically use two ristretto shots for a short 8oz flat white.
- The milk is steamed to create a silky microfoam texture without large bubbles.
- The steamed milk is free-poured over the espresso shots in the cup.
- A spoon is used to hold back the foam to create a thin layer on top around 1cm thick.
The combination of the ristretto shots and microfoamed milk creates an intensely flavored coffee drink with a smooth, velvety texture.
What is the Difference Between a Flat White and Latte?
The flat white and latte are similar milk and espresso drinks, but there are some differences between them:
| Flat White | Latte |
|---|---|
| Uses ristretto espresso shots for more concentrated flavor | Uses regular espresso shots |
| 1:1 ratio of espresso to steamed milk | More milk than espresso, about 1:3 ratio |
| Very little foam, just a thin layer on top | Has about 1cm of frothy foam on top |
The main differences are in the amount of espresso and milk, and the use of microfoam vs. froth on top. The flat white has a bolder, stronger coffee taste compared to the typical latte.
Flat White vs. Cappuccino
The flat white and cappuccino seem similar since they both contain espresso and foamed milk. But there are some notable differences:
| Flat White | Cappuccino |
|---|---|
| 1:1 ratio of coffee to milk | 1:2 ratio of coffee to milk |
| Uses silky microfoam | Uses dry, frothy foam |
| Served in ceramic mug | Served in a cup and saucer |
The cappuccino has more frothy foam while the flat white contains more subtle steamed milk. The flat white generally lets the espresso flavor shine through more directly. The flat white is also smaller than a traditional cappuccino.
What Size Options are Available?
Starbucks offers the flat white in two sizes:
- Short: 8 ounces
- Tall: 12 ounces
The standard recipe is two ristretto shots topped with steamed milk. A short flat white contains two shots, while a tall contains an extra shot for a total of three.
How to Order at Starbucks
When ordering a flat white at Starbucks, simply request a “flat white” and specify whether you want a short or tall size. Here are some tips for ordering:
- Specify hot or iced – You can order a hot flat white for the traditional experience, or get it iced.
- Pick your milk – Go with whole milk for a creamy, velvety texture. Non-fat milk will taste thinner.
- Ask for an extra shot – Add a ristretto shot for a bolder coffee kick.
- Try flavoring syrups – Vanilla, cinnamon, or caramel add a nice complement to the coffee.
- Substitute alt milk – Soy, almond, or oat milk are options if you avoid dairy.
Keep in mind the standard flat white recipe only contains milk and espresso. Additions like syrups and alternative milks will change the flavor profile.
How Much Caffeine is in a Starbucks Flat White?
The caffeine content of a Starbucks flat white depends on the size:
- Short (8oz): 150mg caffeine
- Tall (12oz): 180mg caffeine
This is based on two ristretto shots in a short and three shots in a tall. A single ristretto shot contains about 75mg of caffeine. For comparison, a tall Starbucks Pike Place roast coffee has 310mg caffeine.
Flat White Calories and Nutrition Facts
The flat white is a relatively low calorie coffee drink. Here are the nutrition facts for an 8oz short flat white made with 2% milk:
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 4.5g | 9g | 6g | 150mg |
The majority of calories come from the milk. Choosing nonfat milk drops the calories to about 60 and lowers the fat content. The carb content comes from the lactose in the milk. There are minimal carbs from the espresso.
Nutrition Benefits
Some of the nutrition benefits of a flat white include:
- Protein – Milk contains high quality proteins for muscle repair and maintenance.
- Vitamin B12 – Milk is fortified with vitamin B12, which supports red blood cell formation.
- Calcium – The milk provides a good dose of bone-strengthening calcium.
- Antioxidants – The coffee provides polyphenol antioxidants that can boost heart health.
Overall, the combination of steamed milk and coffee make the flat white a nutritious coffee drink option.
How Much Does a Flat White Cost?
The price of a Starbucks flat white varies slightly by location but is typically:
- Short: $3.65 to $4.15
- Tall: $4.15 to $4.65
These prices are similar to other espresso and steamed milk drinks on the menu. Lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos come in around the same price points. Flavored versions or substituting alternative milks may cost extra.
Is the Flat White Popular at Starbucks?
The flat white has become one of the most popular espresso drinks at Starbucks. Reasons for its popularity include:
- Smooth, velvety feel from the microfoam milk
- Strong coffee flavor compared to lattes
- Less bitter taste than black coffee
- Customizable with different types of milk
- Relatively low in calories for a coffee drink
Starbucks fans like that the flat white provides a happy medium between black coffee and sweeter drinks like mochas or frappuccinos. It provides just enough milk to smooth out the espresso.
How to Make a Flat White at Home
It’s possible to mimic a Starbucks-style flat white at home if you have an espresso machine. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso or ristretto
- 3⁄4 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Brew two shots of espresso or ristretto.
- Steam 3⁄4 cup of whole milk until it reaches 150-160°F.
- Hold back the foam with a spoon and pour the steamed milk over the espresso.
- Top with a thin layer of foam, about 1cm deep.
- Enjoy immediately while hot!
It takes some practice to master the milk frothing technique, but with the right equipment you can make cafe-quality flat whites.
Top 5 Tips for the Best Flat White
Here are some tips for getting the highest quality flat white:
- Always start with freshly ground coffee, preferably beans roasted within the past 2 weeks
- Choose an espresso blend instead of single origin for balanced flavor
- Extract the espresso shots directly into the cup for optimal temperature
- Use whole milk and steam until glossy and free of large bubbles
- Pour milk slowly and keep the foam to a thin layer under 1cm
The Bottom Line
The Starbucks flat white provides the bold flavor of espresso with the smoothed out texture of steamed milk. It strikes a perfect balance for people who find black coffee too intense but want something less milky than a latte. The blend of coffeehouse craft and Australian/Kiwi origins has helped the flat white become a staple on the Starbucks menu. Following the simple Starbucks recipe can help you unlock the secrets to flat white perfection.