# Hybrid Hot Beverages The Latte Macchiato Cross Drink is the Latest Espresso Addition by Starbucks By M | Published 2016-01-05 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/latte-macchiato References: [brandeating](http://www.brandeating.com/2016/01/starbucks-adds-new-latte-macchiato.html) & [starbucks](http://www.starbucks.ca/?gclid=CjwKEAiA8K20BRDetNv3p6DNhXwSJADSwa3trwz-TgP3MMgpEa1L6JCA0ixT47zZaHfFitgxPhQQvBoCN5Tw_wcB) Cafe chain [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-sugar-oatmilk-cortado) has added an all-new cross drink hybrid to its main menu, dubbed the Latte Macchiato that brings together the most popular elements of both hot beverages. The drink is located in-between a [cafe americano](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aerocano) and a flat white in terms of milkiness offering a shot of expresso topped with foam. The Latte Macchiato differs from any Starbucks drink on the current menu by offering a espresso-based beverage topped with little milk and a heavy dollop of [whipped foam](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vanilla-lavender-iced-whipped-latte). The drink is a milky alternative to coffee-oriented beverages such as the americano or doppio, but not as creamy as a caffe latte. It offers an in-between boldness that is ideal for coffee drinkers seeking a drink that is somewhat strong, but not solely focused on overpowering espresso notes. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 31% | Activity: 25% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Hybrid Hot Beverages:** The Latte Macchiato cross drink offered by Starbucks represents a new type of hybrid hot beverage, combining two popular types of espresso-based hot drinks into one. - **Milk Alternatives:** The Latte Macchiato offers a unique level of milkiness that goes beyond standard coffee drinks, providing an opportunity for milk alternative brands to create new products for coffee drinkers. - **Foam Toppings:** The heavy dollop of whipped foam on the Latte Macchiato highlights the potential for coffee shops and manufacturers to create unique foam toppings for their hot beverages, providing a new level of texture and flavor for customers. ### Where This Applies - **Coffee Shops:** Coffee shops can take advantage of the trend in hybrid hot beverages such as the Latte Macchiato by creating their own unique versions, providing customers with new options and experiences. - **Dairy Industry:** The Latte Macchiato's unique level of milkiness provides an opportunity for dairy companies to market their milk-based products as an ingredient in popular coffee drinks. - **Beverage Industry:** The trend in foam toppings, highlighted by the Latte Macchiato, presents an opportunity for beverage manufacturers to create unique toppings for hot drinks, such as flavored foams or thicker froths. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Three-Shot Espresso Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-sugar-oatmilk-cortado.md) - [Layered Cool Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strato-frappuccino.md) - [Oat-Based Vanilla Lattes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vanilla-oat-milk.md) - [Foam-Topped Blended Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frappuccino-blended-beverages.md) - [Chocolate-Flavored Coffee Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-3.md) - [Icy Oat Milk Coffees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iced-shaken-hazelnut-oatmilk-espresso.md) - [Sweet Italian-Inspired Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-reserve.md) - [Decadently Layered Espresso Martinis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiramisu-espresso-martini.md) - [Fluffy Mousse-Topped Lattes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-mousse-latte.md)