An Espresso Macchiato is a classic coffee drink that combines the bold flavor of espresso with the smoothness of steamed milk. The term "macchiato" means "marked" or "stained" in Italian, referring to the way the steamed milk lightly marks the espresso. Here's a recipe to make an Espresso Macchiato:

Ingredients:

• 2 shots of espresso (about 2 ounces or 60 ml)
• 2-3 tablespoons of steamed milk (or enough to create a thin layer over the espresso)
• Optional: whipped cream or milk foam for topping
• Optional: cocoa powder or cinnamon for dusting on top

Instructions:

1. Brew the Espresso:

   • Use an espresso machine to brew 2 shots of espresso. If you don't have an espresso machine, you can use a Moka pot or a French press to make a strong coffee concentrate. The key is to have a concentrated coffee base.

2. Steam the Milk:

   • Fill a milk steaming pitcher with cold milk. The amount of milk you need will depend on the size of your cup and how much milk foam you prefer. For a traditional Macchiato, you'll only need a small amount of steamed milk.
   • Attach the milk pitcher to your espresso machine and steam the milk until it's hot and has a little foam on top. If you don't have a steam wand, you can heat the milk in a saucepan and then whisk it to create foam.

3. Prepare the Drink:

   • Pour the brewed espresso into a cup.
   • Gently spoon or pour the steamed milk over the espresso, creating a thin layer on top. This is what "macchiato" refers to—the espresso is "stained" or "marked" by the milk.

4. Top with Foam (Optional):

   • If you like, you can add a dollop of whipped cream or more milk foam on top of the steamed milk layer. This is a modern variation of the traditional Espresso Macchiato.

5. Garnish (Optional):

   • Dust the top with cocoa powder, cinnamon, or a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for an extra touch.

6. Serve Immediately:

   • Serve the Espresso Macchiato immediately, as the flavors are best when the drink is fresh.