What Is a Breve? Discover This Rich & Creamy Coffee

A café breve, also known as a breve, is a rich and creamy espresso-based drink. It’s made by combining espresso with steamed half-and-half, topped with a light layer of foam. It’s similar to a latte but richer and creamier because of the half-and-half, which is half whole milk and half cream.

To learn more about what a breve is, where it comes from, and how to make your own, keep reading.

What Is a Breve? Its Italian Origin and How It Became a Coffee Drink

The most literal breve coffee meaning is short or brief coffee. This is because in Italian, breve literally means short or brief. Based on its name, it’s easy to assume this is a small Italian coffee, but that’s not it at all.

A breve is not a traditional Italian coffee drink, and it isn’t available in most coffee bars in Italy. That’s because this drink actually originated in the United States, and rather than being synonymous with a small coffee, it actually refers to an espresso-based drink that is mixed with steamed half-and-half.

Although the origins of this drink are not well documented, it’s believed the Italian name is largely the result of the drink’s Italian espresso base and its similarities to another popular Italian coffee drink, the latte.

Breve Coffee Meaning: What Does Breve Mean in Coffee?

Ordering a breve is typically synonymous with ordering a breve latte or acafé breve : an espresso-based drink that is made with half-and-half at a 1:2 or 1:3 espresso to half-and-half ratio.

This is a specific drink on its own, but you can also order other espresso drinks with a breve modifier. This tells your barista to replace the dairy component with half-and-half. A breve latte, breve cappuccino, or breve macchiato will simply result in your drink being made with half-and-half instead of another type of milk.

Using half-and-half creates a richer, creamier, and naturally sweeter drink because of the higher fat content.

Keep in mind that if you order a breve on its own, you will likely receive a breve latte.

What Is Breve Coffee Made Of? Ingredients and What Makes It Different

Making a breve is straightforward and requires few ingredients. The two main ingredients are:

• Espresso

• Steamed half-and-half

You will need an espresso machine to pull your espresso shots, but you can use a Moka pot or strong brewed coffee for a similar result.

The ratio for making a breve is similar to a latte but will use less dairy because half-and-half is richer. You’ll use a 1:2 or 1:3 espresso-to-half-and-half ratio depending on how much dairy you want. You can use 1-2 shots of espresso based on your caffeine preference.

The result is a richer drink with a more indulgent and luxurious taste compared to a latte.

What Is a Breve Latte? Key Differences Between a Breve and a Regular Latte

A breve latte is similar to a cafe latte, which is also made with an espresso base and steamed milk. The major difference is that a latte uses a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio of espresso to steamed milk instead of half-and-half.

Substituting the milk in a latte with half-and-half doesn’t sound like a big change, but it creates two very different drinks:

Both of these drinks are typically made with 1-2 shots of espresso and can be sweetened using flavored syrups depending on your preference.

How to Make a Breve at Home: Step-by-Step Instructions

To make a breve at home, follow this recipe:

Ingredients: 

1. 2 shots of espresso or 36 grams of strong brewed coffee

2. 72 grams of half-and-half, steamed

Instructions:

1. Pull a double shot of espresso into your cup.

2. Steam your half-and-half to create a smooth microfoam.

3. Gently pour the steamed half-and-half over your espresso and serve.

This method uses a 1:2 ratio, which results in a more espresso-forward drink, but you can opt for a 1:3 ratio for more dairy. You can also make the same drink in a larger format by simply scaling both ingredients at your preferred ratio.

What Does a Breve Taste Like? Calories, Ordering Tips, and Customizations

A breve is characterized by its creamy texture, rich mouthfeel, natural sweetness, and smooth finish brought on by the half-and-half. While the half-and-half gives it its signature rich taste and feel, it is also the reason this drink has more calories than a traditional latte.

When ordering a breve, you can ask for it hot or cold, and you can add flavored syrups, just like with a latte. If you prefer a stronger coffee taste or more caffeine, ask for a double shot of espresso. You can also experiment with your regular espresso order by asking for your drink breve, for example, a breve cappuccino.