Latte macchiato

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A glass of Latte macchiato

Latte macchiato with biscuits

Not to be confused with a similar drink, caffè macchiato.

Latte macchiato (IPA: [maʔˈkja(ː)to], anglicised variously as IPA: /məˈ(t)ʃjætəʊ/, /məˈ(t)ʃjɑːtəʊ/) is a coffee-based beverage, which literally means marked milk. This refers to the method of preparation, wherein the steamed "pure" white milk gets "stained" by the addition of espresso. It differs significantly from cafè latte in that only ½ (or less) of an espresso shot is being used.

The macchia is the little 'spot' of crèma being left on top of the milk to clearly distinguish that is a latte macchiato and not a cafè latte, where the espresso traditionally has been added before the milk, hence having no "mark".

[edit] In popular culture

"Latte macchiato" can be correctly used to describe the Starbucks drink branded as a "caramel macchiato". This drink is made by combining vanilla flavored syrup with steamed milk and then pouring the espresso on top of the milk, then topping it all off with caramel sauce.
Other flavors are made using a similar method with a different flavored sauce topping. The sauce then melts from the heat of the espresso directly under it and seeps down into the drink.