National Cappuccino Day is November 8, a day to celebrate what some believe is the best-known espresso drink in America. Cappuccino is an Italian drink that has gotten popular in the USA–so popular that you can buy in-home, DIY cappuccino makers complete with a steam wand for frothing up those lovely warming drinks.
National Cappuccino Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
Who Started National Cappuccino Day?
You probably already know the answer; we don’t really know. Branding November 8 as Cappuccino Day is likely another one of those holidays started as a marketing campaign. This one, like National Donut Day, got some national traction and here we are today discussing how to observe this fun informal holiday.
Who Started The Cappucino?
Cappuccino origins are a bit murky. Some sources say a Vienna drink called kapuziner is a precursor to cappuccino; this was a milk and espresso drink not considered a “true” cappuccino by some purists. The “real” cappuccino is said to have been created in Italy sometime during the 1900s.
Fun fact: If you’ve ever had an iced cappuccino, you can thank Tim Horton’s. The original Iced Cappuccino was created in 1999 as a blended coffee drink with Tim Hortons coffee and cream.
What is a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino is made from espresso, steamed milk, frothed or foamed milk (hence the steam wand on the cappuccino machine) and often has a dash of cocoa on top. The ratio of milk to espresso is key because adding too much milk makes the drink closer to a latte, and less milk brings you closer to a macchiato.
For those of you who don’t know, espresso is a concentrated form or coffee. The beans are generally the same, but espresso beans may be roasted more. The biggest difference is in preparation. Espresso is ground finer and brewed with a lower ratio of grounds to water, resulting in a thicker liquid with a more robust flavor.
A good cappuccino has the bite of the espresso but it’s a bit tempered by the milk. A latte is more milk-forward with a less strong coffee presence; a macchiato is the opposite, being espresso “marked” with milk for a bold flavor.
Americans tend to consume cappuccino in their own unique ways; in Italy the custom trends toward having these only for breakfast. Some tend to view drinking cappuccino after 11AM the way some view having waffles for lunch.
A good pairing with a cappuccino is a good flaky croissant, but some swear by having something chocolatey of any kind.
When is National Cappuccino Day?
National Cappuccino Day is on November 8th, and depending on the café or coffee shop you may find free or discounted cappuccinos near you. Retailers who have in the past offered free or discounted cappuccinos on November 8 include:
- Peet’s
- Dunkin Donuts
- Caribou Coffee
- McDonald’s
Celebrating National Cappuccino Day
Naturally everyone who loves this drink will use November 8 as an excuse to drink more cappuccino. But one of the best ways to celebrate the day is to try making it at home. You don’t need a fancy espresso machine; you can use a stovetop espresso maker and a ten dollar milk frother to make these awesome drinks at home.
Getting the balance right for your DIY cappuccino means simply obeying the ratio rules–equal parts everything. Milk, espresso, and froth in equal measure and you have your magic mixture.
Cappuccino Hacks
The first hack is the milk; whole milk is best in a cappuccino, but some take this up a notch and substitute cream instead. You can also try Half & Half, or go the opposite direction and try 2%.
Another important hack is choosing the right coffee. You want espresso beans fine ground for a cappuccino. The bitterness of the espresso is a key factor in the experience; it’s evened out to a point by the milk, which is why whole milk or even cream is desirable. Not only does the fat add a velvety texture to the drink, but it also potentially slows down the absorption of the caffeine in the brew.
National Cappuccino Day
Here are a few recipes for National Cappuccino Day. Have fun experimenting with flavors at home!
The Perfect Cappuccino
Here is an easy guide to making your favorite light and foamy cappuccino at home. This one walks you through the process using a home cappuccino maker.
Cappuccino Recipe Without an Expensive Machine Recipe
Use this recipe to learn how to make cappuccino at home without a fancy machine.
Classic Cappuccino
Make your home cappuccino just like the Starbucks Baristas (kind of). Here, the coffee giant offers a guide for making their classic cappuccino at home.
Mocha Mint Cappuccino
Liven up your cappuccino with chocolate and mint in this peppermint mocha cappuccino drink.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cappuccino
Torani has amazing syrup flavors so you can change up your cappuccino, and I'm sold on this Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cappuccino.
Simple French Vanilla Cappuccino
Make your own fancy french vanilla cappuccino at home instead of hitting the coffee house drive thru. This one is so good you won't even know the difference.
Indulgent Caramel Cappuccino
Make this at home and you'll never need Starbucks again. This caramel cappuccino is just the right amount of sweet.
Easy Iced Cappuccino
Want your cappuccino on ice? Try this iced cappuccino recipe when you want the bold cappuccino flavors but don't want something hot.
National Cappuccino Day - Machines, Accessories, Syrups, and more!
If you're a regular in the coffee drive-thru, how would you feel if you could make your favorite cappuccinos at home? These tools and syrups make it easy to create the best coffee drinks from the comfort of your own home.
Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte Maker
Cappuccino machines for home use don't have to be outrageously priced. This Mr. Coffee machine fits nicely on the counter top and comes with everything you need to conveniently make cappuccino at home.
Breville Barista Express Stainless Steel Espresso Machine
You can get the Mr. Coffee cappuccino maker if you want something portable and affordable. But if you're looking for a heavy duty café quality machine, you'll have to spend a little more. Breville makes great machines, and this one is pretty to look at, too.
Torani Coffee Syrups
Torani offers a variety of syrups so you can flavor your coffee any way you'd like. They have everything from classic caramel to irish cream, plus they have sugar free versions!
Juvale Rechargeable Electric Milk Frother Handheld Whisk
Make cappuccino at home without the fancy machine. Use this easy-to-store handheld rechargeable electric milk frother, and voila!
Bodum Electric Milk Frother
Be just like a professional barista with this compact electric milk frother. Heats up to 1 cup of milk at a time.
72 Pieces Coffee Decoration Stencils Coffee Art Template Coffee Mold Tool with 2 Coffee Latte Art Pen 2 Dusting Jars Mesh Powder Shaker for Cake Coffee Oatmeal Cappuccino Hot Chocolate
Make your cappuccino look like it was prepared by a pro with this decoration stencil set.
Egg Style Small Cappuccino Cup & Saucer
Your cappuccino will taste even better when you serve it (to yourself) in these fun, brightly colored cappuccino cups. They come with matching saucers too. Order a set of two so you can sip with a buddy.
Gevalia Cappuccino Dark Roast Coffee Pods
Get the smooth satisfying cappuccino flavor with these k-cups from Keurig. Add the froth packet to your mug, brew your k-cup, and cappuccino is served.
Can’t get enough coffee? Try these other coffee drinks!
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