What drinks have milk in them? A comprehensive guide

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, milk is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D, and is a staple ingredient in countless popular beverages around the world. The question of "what drinks have milk in them?" reveals a rich and diverse category of both hot and cold concoctions loved by millions, spanning simple comfort foods to complex craft creations.

Quick Summary

An exploration of the wide array of beverages that use milk, including coffeehouse favorites, refreshing smoothies, international specialties, and indulgent cocktails.

Key Points

Coffee Shop Staples: Lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and flat whites are popular coffeehouse drinks defined by their unique ratios of milk, espresso, and foam.
International Flavors: Traditional milk drinks like Indian Masala Chai, Taiwanese Bubble Tea, and Indian Lassi demonstrate milk's role in global cuisine.
Blended Treats: Milkshakes and smoothies use milk as a base to create creamy, satisfying blended beverages with flavors from chocolate to a variety of fruits.
Creamy Cocktails: Milk and cream are key ingredients in classic alcoholic beverages like the White Russian and rich holiday eggnog.
Diverse Milk Options: Numerous plant-based milk alternatives like oat, almond, and soy allow for dairy-free versions of most milk-based drinks.
Texture Varies: The type of milk, how it's prepared (steamed vs. frothed), and its ratio to other ingredients are crucial for defining a drink's final texture and flavor profile.

The World of Coffee and Milk

Coffee and milk are a classic pairing, creating a wide range of popular drinks with distinct textures and flavors. The ratio of espresso to milk and the amount of foam are what define these beverages. From creamy lattes to frothy cappuccinos, there is a milk-based coffee drink for every preference.

Popular Coffee Drinks with Milk

Café Latte: A standard latte consists of espresso with a larger portion of steamed milk and a thin layer of milk foam on top. Its mild and creamy taste is beloved by many. An Iced Latte is simply the cold version.
Cappuccino: This drink is made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and a thick layer of milk foam, offering a bolder coffee flavor and an airy texture.
Flat White: Hailing from Australia and New Zealand, this drink is a double shot of espresso with a thin, velvety layer of steamed milk and very little foam, resulting in a strong coffee flavor.
Caffè Mocha: For chocolate lovers, a mocha adds chocolate syrup to the espresso and steamed milk base, often topped with whipped cream.
Macchiato: Literally meaning "stained" or "marked," this beverage is a shot of espresso with just a dollop of steamed milk or foam on top.
Frappé: This iced coffee drink can be made with espresso, milk, ice, and sugar blended together, with other ingredients like cream or ice cream added for extra creaminess.

Milk Alternatives for Coffee

For those who are lactose intolerant or prefer a plant-based option, there is a growing selection of milk alternatives that work well in coffee beverages.

Oat Milk: With its creamy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor, oat milk is a favorite for lattes and frothing.
Almond Milk: Offering a nutty flavor and lower calorie count, almond milk is a popular alternative, though it can have a thinner consistency.
Soy Milk: One of the oldest and most popular alternatives, soy milk is creamy with a mild flavor and higher protein content.
Coconut Milk: This adds a tropical flavor and rich creaminess, especially in smoothies and some iced coffees.

Global Milk-Based Delicacies

Beyond the familiar coffee shop menu, many cultures have their own unique and delicious beverages centered around milk. These drinks showcase regional spices, fruits, and traditions.

A Taste of Tradition

Masala Chai (India): A spiced milk tea made with black tea, a blend of aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger, and milk.
Bubble Tea (Taiwan): Also known as boba milk tea, this drink combines brewed tea, milk, and sugar, with chewy tapioca pearls or fruit jelly added for texture.
Lassi (Indian Subcontinent): A blend of yogurt, water, and fruit (like mango) or spices (like cumin and salt) makes this a refreshing drink, which can be sweet or savory.
Morir Soñando (Dominican Republic): A simple, refreshing drink made by slowly mixing orange juice into milk sweetened with sugar or honey. Both liquids must be very cold to prevent curdling.
Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk): A traditional Indian drink often enjoyed for its health benefits, combining warm milk with turmeric and other spices.

Indulgent Shakes and Creamy Cocktails

For a truly indulgent treat, milk is the foundation for classic milkshakes and rich, creamy cocktails.

Milkshakes and Smoothies

Milkshakes are typically made with milk, ice cream, and flavorings. Smoothies often use milk or a milk alternative, fresh fruit, and yogurt for a lighter, often healthier, option. Here are some examples:

Classic Milkshakes: Flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are timeless favorites, blending milk, ice cream, and flavorings until thick and smooth.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie: This wholesome and energizing smoothie blends milk (or a dairy-free alternative) with banana and peanut butter.
Berry Smoothie: A simple and delicious option combining milk, mixed berries (fresh or frozen), and sometimes yogurt.

Creamy Cocktails

White Russian: A popular cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), and heavy cream or milk.
Eggnog: A holiday favorite, traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, beaten eggs, and spirits like brandy or rum.
Milk Punch: A classic cocktail made with milk, spirits (such as brandy or rum), sugar, and spices.

Comparison of Popular Milk-Based Coffee Drinks


Feature	Latte	Cappuccino	Flat White
Espresso	One or two shots	One or two shots	Double shot
Steamed Milk	The highest quantity	Equal part with foam and espresso	Moderate quantity, velvety texture
Milk Foam	Thin layer	Thick, airy layer	Very thin microfoam layer
Flavor	Creamy and mild coffee flavor	Bolder coffee flavor, airy texture	Stronger, more intense espresso flavor
Cup Size	Larger	Smaller	Smaller

Conclusion

From the daily cup of coffee to celebratory cocktails and traditional international recipes, milk is an incredibly versatile ingredient. The vast array of drinks that have milk in them demonstrates its ability to add creaminess, richness, and depth, while also providing a canvas for endless flavor combinations. Whether you prefer a hot and spicy chai or a cool and refreshing mango lassi, there is a milk-based drink to suit every taste and occasion. The next time you're looking for a new beverage to try, consider exploring the diverse and delicious world of milk-infused concoctions, perhaps beginning with a classic flat white or a frothy macchiato.

Find your perfect brew and master the art of milk steaming by exploring the resources at Nespresso.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

A latte contains more steamed milk and a very thin layer of foam, resulting in a milder, creamier drink. A cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and a thick, airy layer of foam, giving it a bolder flavor and frothier texture.

Popular plant-based alternatives include oat milk for its creamy texture, almond milk for its nutty flavor, and soy milk for its higher protein content. Coconut milk is also used for a tropical twist.

A White Russian is traditionally made with heavy cream, but some variations use milk, half-and-half, or even a non-dairy option to achieve a creamy consistency.

A lassi is a traditional Indian drink made by blending yogurt, water, and either fruit (for a sweet lassi) or spices (for a savory lassi). Mango lassi is a popular sweet version.

Yes, using milk is essential for a creamy and rich homemade hot chocolate. Recipes often call for gently heating whole milk with cocoa powder and real chocolate.

A flat white typically has a double shot of espresso and a thin, velvety layer of steamed milk with very little foam. This gives it a stronger coffee flavor than a latte, which uses more steamed milk and has a thicker foam.

Bubble tea is typically made with a strong black tea base, which is then combined with milk, sugar, and toppings like tapioca pearls (boba) or jelly.