Piccolo
also: piccolo latte
A small milk drink: a ristretto or espresso topped with a little steamed milk in a small glass.
Piccolo means “small” in Italian, though the drink as served today is largely an Australian and New Zealand cafe invention. It is a ristretto (or a regular espresso) topped with a small amount of steamed milk and microfoam, served in a small glass of roughly 90 to 120 ml.
Why it matters: the piccolo is a way to enjoy milk’s softness while keeping the coffee dominant. Because there is so little milk, the espresso flavor leads, which is why baristas often build it on a ristretto for extra sweetness and concentration. It is close to a cortado, though a piccolo tends to be even smaller and built on a tighter shot.
In the cup: intense and sweet, with just enough silky milk to round off the edges. If a latte feels diluted to you but you still want a touch of milk, the piccolo is the natural choice. It is a regular fixture on third-wave menus rather than a classic Italian drink.