Gibraltar, Flat white vs. Cortado: What Is the Difference?

What is Gibraltar coffee?

A Gibraltar is an espresso drink consisting of two shots of espresso accompanied by close to two ounces of steamed milk. Typically, establishments that sell coffee will offer a drink known as a Gibraltar, which is presented in a cup, specifically a Libbey Gibraltar glass, thus accounting for its title. A Gibraltar glass holds 4.5 fluid ounces.

Interestingly, the name of Gibraltar coffee has nothing to do with the British Overseas Territory in the Iberian Peninsula. Instead, this espresso drink emerged in San Francisco.

It was in the year 2005 that everything started. Blue Bottle Coffee procured a vast amount of 4.5-ounce Libby Gibraltar glasses that seemed too diminutive to utilize for sampling coffee. Those spectacles were employed by baristas attempting to perfect espresso shots.

As baristas desired a prompt refreshment, they put in a splash of milk to the espresso. They gave some of their most faithful customers a taste of the coffee drink and it was met with positive reviews. When the clients wondered what this beverage was called, it was off the cuff referred to as Gibraltar because it was served in a Gibraltar glass.

James Freeman, the originator of Blue Bottle Coffee Company, stated that Gibraltar coffee is a concise and strong espresso coupled with milk meant to be sipped instantly. Subsequent to Blue Bottle Coffee’s growth throughout the USA, the drink turned out to be more sought-after. It showed up even on the ordering lists of coffee shops around the planet.

What is cortado coffee?

A cortado is a beverage consisting of a blend of espresso and warmed milk in equal proportions. It is generally a combination of one shot of espresso and one ounce of milk, but there exist alternative versions based on who prepares it.

The word cortado comes from the Spanish word cortar. The phrase “cut” is used in reference to diminishing the acidity of espresso by adding milk. Traditionally, cortado is served in a tiny carajillo glass with a capacity of 4.25 ounces, or a shot glass.

Many people often assume that the cortado is Italian due to the fact that a lot of the well-known espresso-based drinks are of Italian origin. If you were to request this specific coffee beverage while in Italy, the waiters may be perplexed and give you a rather perplexed look. In Spain, if you request a “un cortado” it will be quickly made.

The origin of cafe cortado cannot be pinpointed accurately, however, numerous sources concur that it began in the Basque region of Spain. A cortado, as with many other Spanish coffee drinks, has very little to no foam from the milk, allowing it to “dilute” the espresso (rather literally). It is frequently mistaken for a macchiato or a latte because it is served in a glass.

A cortado has gained a lot of traction and has become widely requested in coffee shops worldwide. Admirers of coffee appreciate this beverage for the combination of its creamy milk and strong espresso.

A cortado has a more potent flavor than a flat white as it has slightly less milk in it. A flat white consists of one part espresso and two parts steamed milk, while a cortado is typically made up of an equal amount of espresso and steamed milk.

What is Flat White Coffee?

An Australian and New Zealand favorite, flat white coffee has been gaining huge traction in recent years. It is available in many establishments, such as coffee shops and watering holes, and its fame is on the rise in the US, particularly in places like Los Angeles.

So what exactly is flat white coffee? It is made up of two components: a shot of espresso and steamed milk. It might seem recognizable to you because a latte involves the same components, but there appears to be one noteworthy dissimilarity that makes it special. The barista will begin making a latte by steaming or frothing the milk, then pouring it in the cup with the espresso shot. Finally, they will add some designs on top as a finishing touch. The barista will begin creating a flat white by pouring the steamed milk into the cup, then finishing it off with a shot of espresso on top. This seemingly minor detail makes the title of this beverage, as when one is sipping on it they will observe there is no layer of foam or froth on the top – thus providing the “flat” portion of the designation “flat white”.

Are Gibraltar and cortado the same thing?

If you have been probing the theme of Gibraltar as opposed to cortado and coming across clashing data, you are not the only one! Some contend that these two beverages are the same (the creator of Blue Bottle even said that himself), although others assert that they are dissimilar. Let us settle the misunderstanding once and for all, okay?

Ingredients

A noteworthy observation when comparing those coffee beverages is that they both contain the same components: espresso and milk, and neither has milk foam. These beverages have an ideal harmony between the ingredients, resulting in a smooth taste.

Cup size and material

4.5-ounce glasses are the customary containers for Gibraltar and cortado, which are distinct from the thicker ceramic mugs often used to preserve the warmth of beverages. It is sensible that espresso beverages are smaller, since they can be downed with only several gulps instead of being savored, like cappuccino or a flat white.

Flavor

Gibraltar and cortado have a smooth and luxurious sensation when you are still able to perceive the espresso. Historically, most versions of espresso-based drinks do not contain any sugar or syrup flavoring, though there are a few exceptions, like caramel cortado in certain Costa Coffee locations. Many coffee enthusiasts would concur that adding sugar to their drinks is superfluous. It can be argued that the most enjoyable aspect of savoring a cortado or Gibraltar coffee is the taste.

Is there a difference between Gibraltar vs. cortado?

You may have thought Gibraltar and cortado are one and the same, however if you delve into it in more depth, you can find some slight distinctions between those coffee beverages.

Origin

Gibraltar and cortado originated in different countries. The origins of cortado can be traced to Spain in the 1900s, and it was San Francisco in the 2000s that gave it the name “Gibraltar”. The cortado has been a staple in Spanish coffee culture for many years, yet Gibraltar is a more modern iteration of the traditional espresso-based beverage.

Espresso to milk ratio

Different baristas and cafes tend to have their own particular take on recipes for Gibraltar and cortado. The proportions of espresso and milk in a cortado can differ significantly, even though variations in espresso to milk ratios are not that typical in Gibraltar coffee.

The relative amount of espresso to milk in a cortado in Spain can range from equal parts to espresso being double that of the milk. In the US or in certain coffee shops, the espresso and milk ratio is flipped, with one part espresso to two parts milk. It is probable that baristas favor using larger amounts of milk in order to create latte artwork.

Starbucks makes a cortado with a double dose of ristretto – making the espresso more potent.

This does not really clearly illustrate the distinction between Gibraltar and cortado if one looks at it objectively, but there are several more considerations to take into account.

Glass type

The most prominent contrast when comparing Gibraltar and cortado coffees is the kind of cups used when they were first made.

Gibraltar coffee is usually presented in rocks glasses with an octagonal base that gradually narrows. At the same time, a cortado from Spain is served in velvety carajillo glassware (which is the same type of glass used for the alcoholic coffee beverage in Spanish-speaking countries).

If it were perfect, one could identify the kind of coffee they are being served just by the type of glass it was delivered in, however, the situation is more complex. It is common to encounter cafes that offer cortados in ceramic mugs, particularly when traveling around Latin American nations, such as Argentina.

How To Make A Cortado Coffee

“Cortado, which literally translates to “cut”, is a popular coffee beverage in Spain and Portugal.” The espresso and milk should be in equal proportions and the amount of foam should be enough to fill the whole cup.

It is not hard to create something by yourself. When you want to learn how to make Cortado coffee , just follow these steps: