Gibraltar coffee is a rich espresso drink made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk: similar to a cortado, but served in an iconic glass! Here’s how to make it at home.
Love a perfectly balanced espresso drink? Ty the Gibraltar! The ever popular latte is a luxurious treat, with its microfoam bubbles and foamy topping. But in my opinion as a coffee drink expert, the Gibraltar is even more deliciously satisfying.
This drink uses equal parts espresso and steamed milk, which makes a perfect ideal balance of robust and creamy. This Spanish coffee drink is intensely smooth and made for sipping: I love ordering it (and its cousin drink the Cortado) at coffee shops. Here’s more about it and how to make it at home!
What’s Gibraltar Coffee?
The Gibraltar is an espresso drink made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, also known as as a Cortado. It’s Spanish in origin: “cortado” means “cut” in Spanish, indicating that the espresso is cut with the milk.
A Gibraltar always the same volume: one doubleshot of espresso and 2 ounces milk. The name comes from the glass it’s served in, called a “Gibraltar glass”. It’s a 4.5 ounce glass with a tapered bottom.
The tradition of calling it a Gibraltar started in San Francisco at the Blue Bottle Coffee Company, and spread from there. While some people maintain there are subtle differences between the Cortado and Gibraltar coffee, our research found the only difference between the two is the glass.
What You’ll Need
- Espresso: The quality of your espresso is key for this drink. Use an espresso roast (I like Illy or Intelligentsia espresso roast).
- Steamed whole milk: Whole milk has the richest texture. For dairy-free, oat milk is the best substitute for steaming and frothing.
- A Gibraltar glass (optional but fun): You can use any small glass you have on hand, but if you want the full experience, they’re easy to find online. I ordered these Gibraltar glasses: it’s a 4.5 ounce ridged glass that narrows at the bottom. The original brand used at the coffeeshop in San Francisco is Libbey: you can look for Libbey brand glasses online if you want to be a purist!
How To Make Gibraltar Coffee
You can’t order Gibraltar coffee at Starbucks (or the Cortado, either), so your best bet is a local coffeeshop or making it at home. This is our ideal coffee drink because it has less milk than a latte, and to us the smooth balance of espresso and milk is sublime. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe below):
- Make a double shot of espresso (see How to Make Espresso).
- Steam or froth ¼ cup whole milk using the instructions below.
- Pour the espresso into a Gibraltar glass, then top with the milk.
Want a dairy-free Gibraltar? Try it with oat milk, the best non-dairy milk for frothing and steaming.
Tips for Making The Espresso
The most important part of Gibraltar coffee? Making the espresso! For the coffee beans, use an espresso roast coffee: it’s important for achieving the robust, rich flavor (we like Illy, Starbucks or Intelligentsia espresso roast). Then, use one of the following ways to make espresso:
- Espresso machine: An espresso machine is the best option: the flavor is incredible, but it’s pricy. If you don’t already have one, try one of the machine-free options below.
- Portable espresso maker: A manual espresso maker is a great affordable option.
- French press: French press espresso also works well if you already have this coffee tool.
- Moka Pot: Or, make very strong espresso-like coffee in a Moka Pot (Bialetti).
Steaming or Frothing The Milk
For a Gibraltar coffee, the milk is steamed but not textured like with a latte. This makes it an easier drink to make at home, since you don’t have to obsess as much over the microfoam bubbles. Here’s what to do:
- Froth the milk with a hand-held frother or French press. The frothing process is what you’ll have to do if you don’t have an espresso machine. The best tool is a milk frother if you have it, but a French press also works well. Go to How to Froth Milk.
- Steam the milk using an espresso machine. Of course, the best Gibraltar uses milk that’s steamed with an espresso machine! Go to How to Steam Milk and use the instructions for stretching the milk to 20 to 25% in height.
Gibraltar vs. Cortado: What’s the Difference?
Almost nothing. Both are a 1:1 ratio of espresso to steamed milk, served in a small glass. The cortado is the Spanish name for the drink; the Gibraltar is what Blue Bottle Coffee in San Francisco started calling it, named after the glass they serve it in.
Some coffee purists say there are subtle differences in the steamed milk and microfoam, but most places where you can order them, the names are interchangeable.
Is Gibraltar Coffee Strong?
Yes, if you’re used to a latte! With equal parts espresso and milk (instead of 2 to 3 times the milk like in a classic latte), the coffee flavor is bold.
The caffeine content is the same as any double shot of espresso, about 120–140mg. If you love the taste of coffee and are used to drinking espresso shots, the Gibraltar hits the spot and is an interesting, creamier but just as bold experience.
Gibraltar Coffee
Pin RecipeGibraltar coffee is a rich espresso drink made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk: similar to a cortado, but served in an iconic glass! Here’s how to make it at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Espresso
- Cuisine: Coffee
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ounces* espresso (1 doubleshot)
- 2 ounces steamed whole milk (or oat milk for vegan)
- Gibraltar glass
Instructions
- Make the espresso: Go to How to Make Espresso.
- Steam the milk: Steam the milk with an espresso machine (stretching the milk to 20 to 25% in height), or froth the milk with a frother, French press or whisk. Use ½ cup milk for this process: discard the leftovers or make two drinks.
- Serve: Pour 2 ounces espresso into the cortado glass, then top with the steamed milk. Drink immediately.
More Coffee Drinks to Try
My Barista Series shows you how to make all the best coffee drinks at home. Here are a few more to try:
- Opt for Cafe Au Lait or Cafe con Leche
- Grab a Cortado, Breve, Ristretto or Lungo
- Try Iced Espresso or Perfect Iced Latte
- Grab a Coffee Soda or Coffee Smoothie
- Use your French press for Coffee, Iced Coffee or Cold Brew
- Try an espresso drink like an Americano, Macchiato, Cappuccino, Flat White, Mocha, Mocha Cappuccino or Iced Latte
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