Breve Coffee: Types, Calories, Brewing, and Best Beans

A breve coffee, or caffè breve, is an American espresso drink made with espresso shot and steamed half-and-half instead of milk or water. Breve coffee has a rich, creamy taste with natural sweetness, low acidity, and a smooth espresso flavor. It comes in several flavored variations including Irish cream, caramel, vanilla, mocha, and iced breves. Breve coffee is high in calories and fat, with 170–450 calories depending on size and ingredients. It contains 64–150 mg of caffeine depending on espresso shots and brand. You can make breve coffee at home by pulling 1–2 espresso shots and combining them with steamed half cream. Use medium-to-dark roast beans from Colombia, Brazil, or Indonesia for optimal flavor. Breve coffee differs from lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites, though all use espresso as a base.

What is a Breve Coffee?

A breve coffee, or caffè breve, is an American espresso drink made with 1 oz (30 ml) of espresso shot and 4–6 oz (120–180 ml) of steamed half-and-half instead of milk. Half-and-half is a dairy product made by combining equal parts whole milk and heavy cream. A breve uses half-and-half for a richer, creamier texture. The higher fat content adds more flavor and gives it a smoother texture than a latte or cappuccino. A breve coffee is usually served hot but can be made iced by pouring espresso and steamed half-and-half over ice. The hot version is more common.

The terms "breve style coffee," "breve cream," and "half and half breve" are closely related because they all refer to drinks or ingredients made with half-and-half. Breve style coffee refers to drinks made with steamed half-and-half instead of milk, such as lattes or cappuccinos, typically in a 1:2 ratio. At Starbucks, “breve style” means using half-and-half in place of milk, not serving a true breve coffee. Breve cream is another name for half-and-half. A half and half breve is a synonym term for caffè breve.

What Does Breve Coffee Mean?

The word breve means “short” or “brief” in Italian, but in coffee, it refers to a breve latte—a drink made with espresso and steamed milk and cream blend. The term breve comes from Italian caffè breve, meaning “short coffee,” but its creamy American version evolved independently in the U.S. in the late 20th century. The term “breve” gained traction in U.S. coffee shops like Starbucks and Peet’s during the 1980s–1990s espresso boom as a richer latte variant. Breve coffee is called “caffè breve” in Italian, “café breve” in Spanish, and “café crème” or “café au lait avec crème” in French. To say breve coffee, you pronounce it as “breh-vay.”

What does Breve Coffee Taste Like?

Breve coffee tastes rich and creamy with strong espresso flavor and smooth steamed half-and-half. Its natural sweetness makes it sweeter than a latte but not as sugary as a dessert. Compared to a latte, a breve is thicker, richer, and foamier due to its use of half-and-half (10–12% fat), which makes it naturally sweeter than milk (0–3.25% fat) and usually eliminates the need for added sweeteners. Breve coffee is less acidic and mellower than milk-based drinks because the fat in half-and-half softens acidity and bitterness.

The taste of a breve depends on the coffee bean origin, blend, and roast level. Different beans alter espresso flavor, even with half-and-half. Light roasts add fruity brightness, medium roasts balance acidity and sweetness, and dark roasts deliver bold, low-acid profiles with chocolate or smoky notes. The addition of half-and-half mutes floral aromas and high acidity but enhances nutty, caramel, and chocolate flavors.

What are the Different Types of Breve Coffee?

The different types of breve coffee refer to variations of coffee drinks made with steamed half-and-half with flavors like vanilla, caramel, or chocolate. These include Irish cream breve, iced breve, macchiatos, and mochas. The seven most popular types of breve coffees are listed below.

1. Irish Cream Breve
2. Iced Breve Coffee
3. Caramel Breve
4. White Chocolate Breve Coffee
5. Vanilla Breve
6. Mocha Breve
7. Brulee Breve

1. Irish Cream Breve

An Irish cream breve is an espresso-based drink that combines espresso with half-and-half and Irish cream syrup. It tastes creamy, sweet, and nutty with vanilla and chocolate notes, To make it at home, brew 1–2 shots of espresso, steam 8–10 oz of half-and-half, mix in 1–2 tbsp of Irish cream syrup, and pour over the espresso. It is available at Dutch Bros, The Human Bean, and Black Rock Coffee Bar, or by using Irish cream syrup and half-and-half at home.

2. Iced Breve

An iced breve coffee is a chilled espresso drink made with cold 50/50 milk and cream. It offers a creamy, bold espresso flavor with smooth texture, made from 1–2 shots of espresso, 8–10 oz cold half-and-half, and optional ice. To prepare it at home, brew espresso, pour over ice, and add cold half-and-half. You can find it at coffee shops like The Human Bean, Kinos Coffee, or Starbucks, or use espresso beans and half-and-half from grocery stores.

3. Caramel Breve

A caramel breve is a decadent coffee drink featuring espresso and steamed milk and cream blend with caramel syrup. It delivers caramel flavor with buttery sweetness balanced by creamy dairy richness. It is served at The Human Bean and Dutch Bros (as a Golden Eagle), or made at home using caramel syrup and half-and-half. To make caramel breve at home, brew 1–2 espresso shots, steam 8–10 oz half-and-half, stir in 1–2 tbsp caramel syrup, and combine.

4. White Chocolate Breve

A white chocolate breve coffee is an espresso drink blended with steamed half cream and white chocolate sauce or syrup. It provides a sweet, creamy, and mildly cocoa-like taste with a luxurious texture. The ingredients include 1–2 shots espresso, 8–10 oz half cream, and 1–2 tbsp white chocolate sauce. To make it, brew espresso, steam half-and-half, mix with white chocolate sauce, and pour together. Coffee shops like The Human Bean and Starbucks offer it, or you can use white chocolate sauce (e.g., Ghirardelli) and half cream at home.

5. Vanilla Breve

A vanilla breve is an espresso-based beverage made with steamed half-and-half and vanilla syrup. It has a sweet, aromatic vanilla flavor with a rich, creamy mouthfeel from the half-and-half. It is available at coffee shops like Starbucks, Dutch Bros, or 7 Brew Coffee, or you can purchase vanilla syrup (e.g., Torani) and half-and-half. To make vanilla breve at home, brew 1–2 shots of espresso, steam 8–10 oz of half-and-half, add 1–2 tbsp of vanilla syrup, and combine in a cup.

6. Mocha Breve

A mocha breve is a coffee drink combining espresso, steamed 50/50 milk and cream, and chocolate syrup or cocoa powder. It tastes rich, sweet, and chocolatey with a creamy, indulgent texture. You can find it at 7 Brew or Starbucks, or make it using chocolate syrup and half-and-half. The ingredients include 1–2 shots espresso, 8–10 oz half-and-half, and 1–2 tbsp chocolate syrup or 1 tsp cocoa powder. To make it at home, brew espresso, steam half-and-half, mix with chocolate syrup, and pour over espresso.

7. Brulee Breve

A brulee breve is an espresso drink with steamed half-and-half and caramel brulee flavor, often topped with caramelized sugar or sauce. It tastes sweet, caramelized, and creamy with a toasty, dessert-like profile. To prepare it at home, brew 1–2 shots of espresso, steam 8–10 oz of half-and-half, mix in 1–2 tbsp of caramel brulee syrup or sauce, and top with caramel drizzle. It is available at Starbucks seasonally, Dutch Bros, or can be made using Torani caramel brulee syrup and half-and-half.

Does Breve Coffee Have Calories?

Yes, breve coffee has calories primarily from half-and-half, which contains about 40 calories per ounce due to fat, protein, and lactose. Breve coffee has around 170–320 calories per 8 oz (237 ml) serving and 300–450 calories in 12 oz (355 ml), depending on the amount of half-and-half used, the number of espresso shots, and any added sweeteners. This is significantly more calories than a regular latte, cappuccino, or flat white, which has around 70–200 calories depending on milk type and portion size.

A 16 oz (grande) Starbucks Breve Latte contains about 568 calories. A 7 Brew Breve has 400–550 calories, depending on flavor and add-ins. Caribou Coffee’s medium Breve contains 470 calories. Dutch Bros and Scooter’s medium Breves range from 430 to 550 calories, based on ingredients and customizations. A breve contains no added sugar by default but has 1–3 grams of natural sugar per ounce from the milk and cream in half-and-half. Flavored versions may include added sweeteners.

Is Breve Healthy?

A breve is less healthy than other coffee drinks due to its high fat and calorie content. Breve contains more saturated fat than coffee drinks made with whole milk, 2% milk, or skim milk. While it has more potassium, iron, and slightly more protein than milk-based options, regular consumption may contribute to weight gain and elevated cholesterol.

The following table lists estimated nutrition facts for 8 oz and 12 oz breve coffee, including calories, fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, protein, and micronutrients from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.

How Much Caffeine is in a Breve?

An 8 oz cup of homemade breve contains 64–75 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, or about 8–9 mg per ounce. The caffeine content in a breve depends entirely on the number and size of espresso shots used: a single espresso shot contains 64 mg of caffeine, while a double shot contains 126 mg, typically ranging from 125 to 150 mg. Starbucks, 7 Brew, and Dutch Bros breves contain 75–140 mg of caffeine per serving, depending on size, espresso shots, and preparation method. A breve has less caffeine per serving than drip coffee, French press, or AeroPress, which contain about 95–120 mg per 8 oz cup. However, it is stronger per milliliter because of its concentrated espresso base.

How to Make a Breve Coffee at Home?

To make breve coffee at home, follow these six step recipe below.

1. Preheat your cup by filling it with hot water and let it sit for about 1 minute; then discard the water to keep your espresso hot longer.
2. Grind 18 grams of coffee beans finely and tamp them evenly into your espresso machine’s portafilter.
3. Pull two shots of espresso (about 2 ounces or 60 ml) directly into your preheated cup, preserving the crema layer on top.
4. Pour 4 to 7 ounces (120–210 ml) of half-and-half into a milk pitcher, depending on your preferred strength and cup size. For a single serving, use 4 ounces (120 ml).
5. Steam the half-and-half to 160°F (71°C) until it is creamy and frothy, using a steam wand, frother, or by heating in a microwave and whisking vigorously by hand.
6. Pour the steamed half-and-half into the espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon. Then scoop the remaining foam on top, and serve immediately.

What are the Best Coffee Beans to Make Breve?

The best coffee beans to make breve coffee are specialty grade, medium to dark roast espresso beans that pair well with rich, steamed half-and-half. Blends often work better than single origin for breve because they offer bold flavor, low acidity, and rounded cup profile. Top sources for breve beans include Colombia, Brazil, and Indonesia. Colombia produces balanced, mildly acidic beans ideal for a classic hot breve. Brazil offers chocolatey, nutty beans that match the richness of a mocha breve. Indonesia has low-acid, full-bodied beans that enhance the smoothness of an iced breve.

Where to Buy the Best Coffee Beans to Make Breve?

You can buy fresh specialty-grade coffee beans for breve from reputable coffee shops or online stores like Colipse Coffee, which ships roasted-to-order beans in various roast profiles. We use high-quality beans with full origin transparency. Choose from multiple roast levels, grind sizes, and packaging. Select whole beans for super-automatic machines, bean-to-cup machines, or home brewing, or opt for fine ground coffee for espresso makers like Breville, De’Longhi, or Gaggia. Our coffee is available in 12 oz, 16 oz, 2 lb, and 5 lb, starting at $20.50 with free US shipping. Our beans ship the same day they’re roasted to ensure freshness for drinks like breves.

What Coffee Shops Serve Breve Coffee?

The following list shows eleven coffee shops that serve breve coffee.

• Brevede Coffee Co. (Lexington, KY): Specialty shop with a focus on handcrafted breves and other coffee drinks.
• The Human Bean: Nationwide chain specializing in a variety of breve-based creations, offered hot, iced, or blended.
• Brevé Coffee: Coffee brand and retailer with cafes and nationwide service, featuring breve as a menu standout.
• Cafe Breve (Clayton, NC): Local cafe with handcrafted espresso drinks, including breves.
• Starbucks: International chain where you can order any espresso-based drink "breve" (using half-and-half in place of milk).
• Peet's Coffee: US locations often provide breve lattes and cappuccinos as a customization (ask for half-and-half).
• Caribou Coffee: Nationwide US chain offering breve as a substitute for milk in any espresso drink; just request "breve."
• Wild Calf Coffee: Specialty coffee retailer with cafes, highlighting breve as a distinctly American espresso drink.
• Dutch Bros: Popular West Coast chain where you can order any drink "breve style" coffee.
• 7 Brew: Drive-thru coffee chain where you can customize any drink with breve for a richer, smoother coffee experience.
• Scooter's Coffee: Midwest-based drive-thru chain where you can order hot breve lattes and other espresso drinks.

How is Breve Coffee Different from Other Coffee Drinks?

Breve coffee differs from other coffee drinks by using steamed half cream instead of milk or water. This results in higher fat and calorie content than lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. Unlike espresso or Americano, it has added dairy. Mocha includes chocolate, matcha uses powdered green tea, and green tea contains no coffee at all.

What is the Difference between Breve and Latte?

The key difference between a breve and a latte is the dairy used. A latte contains steamed milk, making it a lighter, smoother drink. In contrast, a breve has steamed half-and-half, which creates a richer, creamier beverage higher in fat and calories.

What is the Difference between Breve and Cold Brewed Coffee?

The main difference between breve coffee and cold brewed coffee is temperature and ingredients. Breve is a hot espresso drink with equal parts milk and cream. It has a rich, creamy texture. Cold brew uses cold water and brews for 12–24 hours. It has a smooth taste and higher caffeine.