A milk based espresso drink made with steamed half-and-half cream, or light cream, instead of whole milk, the breve (pronounced BRE-VAY) a short for espresso breve is a creamy concoction that, for me, resembles a decadent coffee dessert. Especially with a little splash of caramel or vanilla thrown in. Breve means "short" in Italian, and in some locations refers to a cappuccino made with light cream. 