Latte macchiato ( IPA :  [ma?'kja(?)to] ) is a coffee 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 caffè latte , where the espresso traditionally has been added before the milk, hence having no "mark." Conversely, another similarly termed beverage, caffè macchiato is actually espresso stained with milk.

A popular American version of the latte macchiato is the Starbucks drink branded as a " caramel macchiato". This drink is made by combining vanilla flavored syrup with steamed milk, pouring the espresso on top of the milk, then topping it all off with caramel sauce. The sauce then melts from the heat of the espresso directly under it and seeps down into the drink. Other flavors are made by using different sauces to top the drink. This drink was invented by Paul O'Neill back in 1985 in Concord, MA