A hot espresso with a drop of milk, please.
mac-CHIA-to — three syllables, stress on the second. 'Chi' sounds like 'k'.
When you want an espresso but find it too bitter, and want just a small amount of milk to soften it.
'Macchiato' means 'stained' — the espresso is 'stained' with a small amount of warm milk. 'Caldo' (hot) specifies hot milk foam. 'Macchiato freddo' has cold milk instead. It is stronger than a cappuccino but gentler than a straight espresso.
Un macchiato freddo.
An espresso with cold milk.
'Freddo' = cold milk added instead of hot foam
Un latte macchiato.
A glass of milk with a shot of espresso.
The inverse — mostly milk with a 'stain' of coffee. Served in a tall glass.
Con un goccio di latte.
With a drop of milk.
'Goccio' (drop) specifies a tiny amount — even less than macchiato
The 'macchiato caldo' is the compromise choice for those who find espresso too strong but consider a full cappuccino too milky. It bridges the two worlds and is consumed at any time of day without social stigma, unlike the cappuccino.