How To Make a Perfect Flat White (Easy Step-by-Step Guide)

Last updated on March 10th, 2025 at 12:14 pm

Are you having a hard time recreating that creamy, velvety, flat white you love from your favorite coffee shop? 

It’s all about mastering a few key elements: the right flat white recipe and milk steaming techniques.

Whether you’re a novice looking to refine your barista skills or simply a coffee enthusiast wanting to enjoy a perfect cup at home, understanding these components can elevate your coffee experience. 

So, let’s see how you can make an exceptional flat white, ensuring you get that smooth texture and rich flavor every single time.

What Is a Flat White?

A flat white is prepared from espresso mixed with microfoam—a silky, smooth steamed milk that creates a creamy texture without the frothiness of a cappuccino.

This beverage stands out because it strikes a fine balance between the strong flavor of espresso and the lightness of steamed milk, which is thicker and more velvety than what you’d find in a cortado.

 While a cortado offers an equal mix of espresso and milk, leading to a stronger coffee taste.

The flat white has a richer, milkier experience in a similar serving size.

Unlike a cappuccino, which is distinguished by its thick layer of frothy foam, the flat white’s focus on microfoam ensures a smooth mouthfeel, making it a beloved choice for those who appreciate a subtler coffee flavor paired with a creamy texture.

Flat White Recipe (Step-By-Step Guide)

Here's how you can make this smooth, velvety coffee drink at home, with detailed steps and a breakdown of the necessary ingredients and equipment.

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Total Time 3 minutes mins

Equipment

• Espresso Machine with a Steam Wand:
• Coffee Grinder:
• Milk jug (for steaming)
• Coffee cup (preferably a flat white cup, which holds about 160-200 ml)

Ingredients

  

• Freshly ground coffee for espresso (about 18 grams)
• Cold milk (preferably whole or 2% for better texture, about 150 ml)

Instructions

 

• Grind the Coffee: Grind your coffee beans to a fine espresso grind. You'll need about 18 grams of coffee for a double shot.
• Prepare the Espresso: Tamp the ground coffee into your espresso machine's portafilter. Ensure it's packed evenly to extract evenly. Pull a double shot of espresso directly into your coffee cup.
• Steam the Milk: While the espresso brews, pour cold milk into your milk jug up to the bottom of the spout, which usually provides just the right amount.

  Use the steam wand of your espresso machine to steam the milk until it has increased in volume by about one-third and has a smooth, glossy texture with tiny, fine bubbles.

  The ideal temperature is around 60-65 degrees Celsius (140-149 degrees Fahrenheit), where the milk is hot to the touch but not scalding.
• Combine and Serve: Pour the steamed milk over the espresso from a low height for a smoother blend, then slightly raise the jug for the last few drops to create a small, white dot on top.

  Then, serve immediately to enjoy the ultimate texture and warmth.

Video

Notes

Remember, the harmony between strong espresso and silky, subtly sweet milk is the key to a great flat white.

With this recipe, you can master a barista-level flat white right in your own kitchen. Enjoy your handcrafted beverage!

Brief History Of The Flat White

The origins of the flat white are steeped in a trans-Tasman rivalry, with Australia and New Zealand claiming its invention.

The drink likely evolved during the 1980s, with several cafes in both countries independently contributing to its development.

In Sydney, Alan Preston of Moors Espresso Bar introduced the flat white to his menu in 1985, inspired by similar coffee styles he encountered in Queensland during the 1960s and 1970s.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, an accidental ‘failed cappuccino’ at Wellington’s Bar Bodega in 1989 also gave rise to the flat white.

As a result of these simultaneous and independent innovations, the flat white quickly became a staple in local coffee scenes, admired for its strong espresso flavor balanced by a thin layer of velvety microfoam.

Flat White Customization And Variation Options

Exploring different variations of the flat white can elevate your coffee experience by aligning it more closely with your taste preferences. So, here are some exciting twists on the classic flat white:

• Ristretto Shot Flat White: By using a ristretto shot instead of a standard espresso shot, this variation offers a more concentrated flavor with less bitterness, giving the flat white a richer, more intense coffee taste.
• Breve Flat White: Substitute half-and-half for regular milk to create a Breve Flat White. This version is creamier and more indulgent, providing a luxurious texture that complements the espresso beautifully.
• Vanilla Flat White: For those who prefer a hint of sweetness, adding vanilla syrup can transform your flat white into a comforting, aromatic beverage that’s perfect for a cozy morning.
• Chai Flat White: Infuse your milk with chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and clove before steaming to make a Chai Flat White. This brings a delightful spice that pairs wonderfully with the espresso, offering a warm, inviting twist to the traditional flat white.

Personalization Options

Customizing your flat white to match your taste makes each cup a unique experience. Here’s how I like to tweak mine:

• Milk Choices: Switching up the milk can dramatically change the texture and flavor. Try almond, oat, and soy milk are great dairy-free options. Each adds subtle notes and creaminess to the drink.
• Syrup Additions: A dash of syrup can sweeten your day. From classic vanilla to caramel and hazelnut, syrups allow you to customize your flat white’s sweetness and flavor profile.
• Spice: A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of your flat white can improve the coffee’s natural flavors. I find that a little spice also adds a festive touch, especially during the cooler months.
• Coffee Strength: Adjusting the coffee strength in your flat white can alter the caffeine kick and robustness to your liking. Whether you prefer a double shot for that extra boost or a single shot for a milder taste, you can make your flat white as strong or as light as you wish.
• Temperature Adjustments: The milk’s temperature can affect your coffee’s overall experience. I prefer mine to be a bit cooler to highlight the milk’s sweetness. But if you enjoy a hotter beverage, instructing your barista to steam the milk a little longer can make all the difference.

Go ahead and try these customization options. It can turn your flat white into a unique experience. 

Common Mistakes And Solutions With The Flat White

Making a flat white might seem straightforward, but a few common errors can impact the quality of our favorite coffee drink. 

Here, we’ll explore these mistakes and how to correct them. 

1 – Using Incorrect Coffee Proportions

A common mistake is using too much or too little coffee. The ideal ratio for a flat white is about 18 grams of coffee for a double shot of espresso. 

Using too much coffee can make the drink excessively bitter, while too little can lead to a weak, underwhelming flavor.

Solution: Always measure your coffee grounds accurately using a scale to guarantee your cup’s right balance and robustness.

2 – Overheating the Milk

Overheating the milk is another frequent mistake that can ruin the delicate balance of a flat white. 

When milk is heated beyond 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit), it can scald, affecting its natural sweetness and resulting in a burnt taste.

Solution: Use a thermometer to monitor the milk’s temperature as you steam it, stopping at around 60-65 degrees Celsius for the perfect microfoam consistency and taste.

3 – Skimping on Milk Texture

The texture of the milk is crucial in a flat white. Sometimes, baristas or at-home people might create milk that is too frothy or too flat, which deviates from the silky consistency needed. 

Solution: Focus on creating microfoam with tiny, uniform bubbles by keeping the steam wand just below the surface of the milk and swirling it gently to introduce the right amount of air.

4 – Improper Milk Pouring Technique

Pouring milk improperly can lead to a separation of foam and liquid, which disrupts the creamy texture that a flat white is known for. 

Solution: For this reason, pour the steamed milk slowly and steadily from a low height at the beginning and raise the jug slightly towards the end to allow the microfoam to blend smoothly with the espresso, finishing with a thin layer on top.

5 – Neglecting Freshness of Coffee

Using stale coffee beans can greatly diminish the quality of any coffee drink, including the flat white. The beans’ freshness impacts the aroma and flavor, making it essential to use freshly roasted beans. 

Solution: Always use coffee beans roasted within the past two weeks and ground just before brewing to capture the full flavor profile and achieve a vibrant, delicious, flat white.

Last Thoughts

So, we’ve taken a deep dive into making the perfect flat white, from the essential ingredients and equipment to mastering milk steaming and espresso extraction.

We’ve also explored several customizations and variations, like the Ristretto Shot Flat White and Vanilla Flat White, offering a personalized touch to this classic drink.

Plus, we talked about common mistakes to avoid, making sure every cup has a harmonious blend of strong espresso and creamy, velvety milk.

Whether you’re a seasoned barista or a coffee enthusiast looking to perfect your home brew, understanding these elements can improve your flat white experience.

To end, feel free to share your thoughts, personal tips, or questions in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation brewing! And with that said, “voilà!”