The Gibraltar was created in San Francisco by the owner of the Blue Bottle Coffee Company. In 2005, the company accidentally purchased Gibraltar glasses, which were too small to hold the regular coffee options. Instead of fixing their mistake, they experimented with different espresso-to-milk ratios. Eventually, the Gibraltar was born. After gaining popularity in coffee shops throughout San Francisco, little by little, the beverage started showing up all over the country.
The Gibraltar, very similar to a cappuccino, is an espresso-based drink with steamed milk. A Gibraltar is typically made with one double shot of espresso and two ounces of steamed milk, and it is always served in the same glass. The name comes from the Gibraltar glass it is served in, a 4.5 ounce rock glass with a tapered, octagonal bottom.
A Gibraltar can often be mistaken for a cortado; however, there are some differences. In a cortado, which was created in Spain’s Basque country, the espresso-to-milk ratio is 1:1. While both beverages are served in a 4.5 fluid ounce glass, the cortado is typically served in a smooth carajillo shot glass that is slightly longer.
While a Gibraltar and cortado have the same ingredients and taste similar, they have different ratios of milk to espresso, their glasses are different, and they originated in completely different places. If you would rather have a more balanced taste, meaning equal amounts of espresso and milk, then the cortado is a better choice. If you like your coffee to taste stronger, meaning more espresso and less milk, the Gibraltar might be a better choice.
