Cappuccino is the most beloved breakfast drink, a fluffy treat made with coffee and frothed milk, best enjoyed with a soft, sweet brioche or a fragrant croissant. A quintessentially Italian recipe (though its origins are actually Austrian), cappuccino has enjoyed incredible popularity around the world, becoming a true symbol of Italy. This immense fame has led to the birth of a whole series of variations, which reinterpret the original recipe of cappuccino, transforming it into a new, more or less imaginative drink. Curious to try a cappuccino a little different from the usual? Here are the most delicious, original, and interesting versions of cappuccino.
1. Vegan Cappuccino
It's no longer considered a variant and is very easy to find in all coffee shops: it's the veg cappuccino, or vegan version of the drink prepared without animal milk but with only plant-based milk. The basic preparation is the same as that of a traditional cappuccino; the important thing is choosing the right milk, as not all are suitable for proper frothing. The best is soy milk, because of all the plant-based milks, it has the highest fat content and therefore allows you to create the fullest foam.
2. Dry Cappuccino
Don't be fooled by the name: dry cappuccino doesn't refer to the use of instant powders, but rather refers to the distinctive nature of this drink, made with just coffee and frothed milk, without the addition of liquid milk. It's designed for those who don't want to give up cappuccino, but aren't huge fans of its characteristic sweetness, which comes from the presence of liquid milk. Without this element, dry cappuccino has a more intense, strong, and decisive flavor because there's only the foam— much more abundant than the classic version—between you and the coffee underneath. This also keeps the drink hot longer, as the abundant foam acts as an insulator and keeps the coffee piping hot.
3. Wet Cappuccino
A wet cappuccino is the exact opposite of a dry cappuccino: it features plenty of frothed milk, while there's little or no foam at all. While a traditional cappuccino is 50/50 milk and foam, a cappuccino's ratio is approximately 75/25 milk. This gives the cappuccino a smoother flavor, as the milk dilutes the coffee, and a creamier consistency, almost like a latte macchiato. This variation is becoming increasingly popular in the US and can be found on the menus of every coffee shop.
4. Viennese Cappuccino
The origins of cappuccino are a peculiar mix of urban legends and historical events, but all the stories point to one thing: its roots are not Italian, but Austrian. It's no coincidence that in Vienna, a very local version of cappuccino is still prepared, the Viennese cappuccino, also known as Viennese coffee or Viennese melange. Born in 1830, the drink differs from cappuccino in several ways: first, it's prepared with a long espresso, then equal parts hot milk is added, the surface is covered with a thin layer of frothed milk, and finally, the whole thing is garnished with either a dusting of cocoa or spices (especially cinnamon or nutmeg) or with a rich dollop of whipped cream.
5. Spiced Cappuccino
Spiced cappuccino is very popular during the winter months, especially during the Christmas season. In this case, the base is the same as a traditional cappuccino, the difference is that the surface of the foam is flavored with spices that, when stirred, infuse the coffee, giving it a very special aromatic touch. Typically, ground spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or star anise, typical of the holiday season, are used, often with a splash of cocoa to make the spiced cappuccino even more delicious.
6. Frappuccino
The frappuccino needs no introduction, a star-spangled variation of the Italian cappuccino that's now known across the globe thanks to the Starbucks coffee chain, where it's a flagship product. It's a cold, creamy drink that combines a cold cappuccino with a frappé, often chocolate-flavored but now available in a multitude of alternative variations. To make a frappuccino, simply blend ice, milk, bitter coffee, chocolate syrup, and sugar, then pour into a glass, garnish with a generous dollop of whipped cream, and serve immediately. Depending on your preferences, you can prepare countless variations: the most popular are caramel and strawberry, but the autumnal version with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and cream, known as pumpkin spice latte, is also particularly popular.
7. Cold Cappuccino Cream
When the temperatures outside are too high, and drinking a hot cappuccino is more of a pain than a pleasure, there's the perfect alternative: cold cappuccino cream, which is incredibly quick to make and incredibly versatile, as you can enjoy it by the spoonful or use it as a filling for cold cakes. All you need is milk, instant coffee, and sugar, all mixed for 5 minutes with an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture is thick and creamy. The final touch is to decorate it as desired, for example with chocolate sprinkles or cocoa powder.
8. Dalgona Coffee
Dalgona coffee is a refreshing, creamy drink made with instant coffee, water, milk, and sugar, created in South Korea during the pandemic. It's a sort of "upside-down cappuccino," popularized by buzz on social media, and named after dalgona candy, a famous South Korean lollipop cookie whose color it resembles. It's also very simple to make, requiring only three ingredients: simply combine equal parts instant coffee and sugar in a bowl, add two tablespoons of hot water, and beat with an electric whisk until fluffy and frothy. Then, all you have to do is fill a glass 3/4 full with cold or hot milk, depending on your taste, pour the resulting coffee cream over it, and voilà!
9. Protein Cappuccino
And finally, even cappuccino is becoming protein-rich. In the wake of the wave of protein-enrichment of so many everyday foods, cappuccino is also finding its own variant, designed and created for athletes and anyone who, in general, relies on protein for their fitness (although in reality, the combination of health and high-protein foods isn't automatic). In this case, the difference lies in the milk, as a special high-protein milk is used, boasting 40% more protein, zero fat, and even no lactose. Everything else is identical to a traditional cappuccino, and in fact, those who have tested it assure that the final taste is entirely similar to the classic variant.
10. Dubai Golden Cappuccino
Different countries, different eccentricities. And what place in the world is more eccentric than Dubai? The luxury capital par excellence has decided to show its true nature in every aspect, even in its drinks, and specifically in its cappuccino: known as Dubai's golden cappuccino, the drink is officially called the Signature Gold Cappuccino and is served only at the iconic luxury hotel Burj Al Arab. What makes this particular cappuccino special (and decidedly expensive) is that it is decorated with real 24-karat gold dust or flakes, very shiny and perfectly edible. The luxurious drink has been so successful that a second variant, the Palace Cappuccino, has been born: it is served at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and, in addition to the gold leaves, the foam is decorated with a stylized design of the hotel.
11. 3D Cappuccinos
Latte art is one of the hottest trends of recent times, but its most imaginative evolution is taking over social media: a latte art you can touch with the so-called 3D cappuccino, a Japanese invention. What is it? Just as the name suggests, this cappuccino features actual sculptures made from frothed milk on top of the foam, usually depicting famous anime, manga, and cartoon characters in general. In addition to these magnificent sculptures, often so beautiful you almost don't want to drink the cappuccino, the other difference compared to classic cappuccino is that both the drink and the foam are cold, precisely to allow the sculpture to form and to maintain it without melting.
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