espresso coffee

6 Amazing Drinks of Espresso Coffee

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Updated on February 4, 2024

Reviewed by Shaimaa Olwan

Espresso coffee is a coffee-brewing technique of Italian origin, and it is made with wide forms of coffee beans and different roast ways. Espresso is the most familiar coffee-making method in southern Europe, Australia, South Africa and Switzerland.

Espresso is commonly thicker than coffee brewed by other techniques, with a consistency similar to warm honey due to the pressurised brewing process; the flavour in a typical cup of espresso coffee is very concentrated. So, espresso has more caffeine than most coffee beverages. Still, because its typical serving size is much smaller than drip-brewed coffee, the caffeine amount of a single serving of espresso is lower than that of a mug of drip coffee. Of course, the exact caffeine content of any coffee drink differs by bean origin, roast method, size and other factors. Still, a typical 1-ounce serving of espresso may contain 64.5 milligrammes of caffeine.

The 3 phases in espresso coffee are what make this beverage unique. The first phase is an emulsion of oil droplets, the second is suspended solids, and the third is a layer of gas bubbles or foam. The scattering of very small oil droplets is very creamy and sensed in the mouth. In addition, these oil droplets preserve some of the aromatic blends lost to the air in other coffee forms, enriching the strong flavour.  Espresso is a base for many coffee drinks, including cappuccino, caffè macchiato, caffè latte, caffè mocha, flat white, and caffè Americano.

How to Make Espresso at Home?

Espresso is an Italian way to make coffee highly concentrated. Espresso coffee can be enjoyed in small cups (shots) or used in many favourite drinks like latte, cappuccino, Americano, etc. The good news is anyone can make espresso coffee at home by using a machine and even without it.

Making Espresso With a Machine:

Making espresso with a machine

The espresso coffee home machine is amazing and can really save time and money; here is how to make a shot of espresso by using it:

Grind the coffee: Use about 10 grams for a single Espresso roast coffee and 20 grams for a double shot. Grind the coffee until it’s perfectly ground. Different brands and roasts of beans will need another grinding machine.

Pack and tamp the coffee grounds:

  1. Put them into the basket (portafilter) until it’s barely heaping over the top.
  2. Use the tamper to press the grounds equally into the portafilter.
  3. Press it firmly until it is fully compressed.
  4. Set the portafilter on a folded towel before tamping or a knock box for tamping and discarding used grounds. The coffee grounds must be very straight to get the best espresso shot.

Pull the shot: Put the portafilter in the espresso machine, then press the button. A well-pulled espresso shot will take 25 to 30 seconds to have a strong espresso coffee flavour with a nice foamy creme.

Consider any adjustments: It takes a bit to dial in the delicacy of the coffee grind and the amount of coffee to use.

Making Espresso without a Machine:

Making espresso coffee at home and without using a fancy machine is very easy; here are the most popular ways to make enjoyable espresso shots:

1. French Press:

French press coffee

A French press is perfect for making espresso at home and without using a machine, and it will not affect the taste, but it will be comparable to the one made by a machine. A French press is perfect for making espresso; it’s a device for brewing coffee in a tiny pitcher. It’s usually used for brewed coffee, but it also works for espresso coffee.

A French press usually is used for French roast coffee; this roasting process creates a darker colour and richer flavour for beans, making many coffee lovers enjoy it. Dark roast coffee usually has a bitter and intense taste due to the coffee roasting process. This bitterness is reflected in its smoky flavour. However, for many, it is a delicious aroma and a delightful experience when drinking their coffee, which usually fits well with dark chocolate.

Here’s the basic concept behind French Press; it’s quick and simple:

  • Grind the coffee: Grind ½ cup of coffee beans to a medium-fine grind.
  • Heat ¾ cup of water to hot but not boiling.
  •  Add the medium fine ground espresso coffee beans to the French Press, then add the hot water, stir, set a timer, and wait for 4 minutes.
  •  Adjust the lid on the French Press and slowly press the plunger down.

2. Aeropress

Aeropress

The perfect espresso shot is about pressure; unlike regular coffee, the AeroPress approximates espresso. Though the texture may differ from a superior machine, caffeine content and the flavour of an Aeropress “espresso” impressively compare to the machine espresso. So, this is how to use the Aeropress in simple, easy ways:

  • Stake the AeroPress, place a filter inside the drain cap, and use more than one to slow the water flow when pressing. Next, lightly rinse the filter and put the drain cap and filter inside the press compartment. Finally, place the Press on a stable cup or mug.
  • Prepare 2 Teaspoons of coffee by grinning the beans and dropping them into the filter; adding more coffee will make a better shot,
  • Add around 3 and a half ounces of heated water, stir with the coffee and then press down on the plunger hard.

3. The Mocha pot

Mocha pot

Mocha pot is a tiny kettle that produces an espresso-like pour that soothes the soul, the taste that is neither coffee nor espresso but satisfying all the same. Making espresso coffee by using a Mocha pot is very simple and, in a few steps, as follows:

  • Grind 2 tablespoons (20-22 gm) of high-quality coffee beans as finely as possible.
  • Pour 3 ½ ounces of water into the bottom of the pot. Next, put the coffee into the built-in filter, shake to settle the grounds, and put the pot on a burner to medium heat, then Listen to the whistle. The hot water will create the pressure to produce a concentrated coffee with little foam.
  • Finally, pour the coffee into a demitasse when the top is filled with coffee.

How to Make the Most Popular Types of Espresso Drinks?

Espresso is a base for many other coffee drinks, including cappuccino, caffè macchiato, caffè mocha, caffè latte, flat white, and caffè Americano. Here are some recipes for many types of espresso coffee:

1. Cafe Latte:

Caffe Latte

Latte is a drink made of espresso, steamed milk and a layer of foam. A latte has ⅓ espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, with a delicate layer of foam on top. So, the main ingredient to make a great latte is milk; the whole cream is also better than other types, and milk should be as fresh as possible, which helps make “microfoam”, as baristas call it.

Ingredients:

2 espresso shots (2 ounces)

4 ounces (½ cup) of fresh whole milk

Instructions:

  • Make two espresso shots using an espresso machine or manual espresso coffee maker, then pour them into a mug.
  • Put the milk in a pitcher and keep the steaming rod below the surface of the milk till it doubles in size to make a frothy foam. Then, move the steaming rod lower and near the pitcher’s side to form a spiral vortex to make the silky smooth microfoam bubbles and wet-paint texture feature of a latte.
  • Heat the milk till warm and foam it (without an espresso coffee machine): Heat the milk to keep it hot to the touch but not simmer. Use a French press or a milk frother, or whisk to froth milk into bubbles. For the French press technique, it’s helpful to have 1 cup (more milk to work with), which makes enough for 2 drinks. Wait around 1 minute to get the foam to blend into the milk and separate slightly.
  • Tap the milk receptacle on the counter to break down any large bubbles. Then, pour it into the centre of the espresso with light foam and serve.

Note: Whole milk and fresh ones are the best to work with to make foam.

2. Cappuccino:

Cappuccino

A cappuccino is a drink with steamed milk, espresso and milk foam. It’s very similar to a latte, but the steamed milk balance differs. It has equal amounts of espresso coffee, steamed milk and foam (⅓ each).

Ingredients:

2 espresso shots (2 ounces)

4 ounces (½ cup) of fresh whole milk

Instructions:

  • Make two espresso shots using an espresso machine or manual espresso maker, then pour them into a mug.
  • Put the milk in a pitcher and keep the steaming rod below the surface of the milk till it doubles in size to make a frothy foam.
  • Heat the milk to keep it hot but not simmer it to scalding and foam it (without an espresso coffee machine). Use a French Press or a milk frother or whisk to froth the milk into an incredibly foamy texture. For a cup of cappuccino, ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk and ⅓ foam are needed.
  • Swirl the milk container a few times. Then, pour milk and foam into the centre of the espresso and serve.

Note: Whole and fresh milk are the best to work with to make foam.

3. Café Macchiato:

Cafe Macchiato

A cafè macchiato is a shot of espresso topped with foamed milk. The word “macchiato” means “impaired” in Italian, meaning that the milk foam stains the dark espresso on top. Some sources say the macchiato was invented to drink espresso in the afternoon.

There is another type of macchiato called a latte macchiato; it is steamed milk stained by a bit of espresso. It tastes like an espresso version of a cafe latte. It has espresso coffee added to milk and a little more foam.

Ingredients:

2 espresso shots (2 ounces)

2 ounces (¼ cup) whole milk foam

Instructions:

  • Make two espresso shots using an espresso coffee machine or manual espresso maker, then pour them into a mug.
  • Start with ½ cup milk (a ¼ cup foam is only needed), and heat the milk (hot to the touch but not simmering).
  • Use a French Press or a milk frother or whisk to froth the milk into an incredibly foamy texture.
  • Use a spoon to extract the top of the foam and place it on top of the espresso, then serve.

4. Cafe Mocha:

Cafe Mocha

Mocha is made with steamed milk and espresso flavoured with chocolate syrup. Cafe Mocha has various espresso coffee shots, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup. This drink is much tastier and easy to make; it’s also recommended to use chocolate chips instead of chocolate and maple syrup for sweetness.

Ingredients:

2 Espresso shots

1 Tablespoon chocolate chips

Half a cup of fresh and whole milk

Half a tablespoon of maple syrup (or simple syrup)

Chocolate shavings (for garnish)

Instructions:

  • Put the chocolate chips into the mug, then pour the espresso coffee.
  • Place the fresh whole milk and chocolate syrup in a pitcher; put the milk in a pitcher and keep the steaming rod below the surface of the milk till it doubles in size to make a frothy foam.
  • Heat the milk and syrup; use a French press or a milk frother or whisk to froth the milk until it’s very foamy; mocha needs a good amount of foam.
  • Mix the milk container a few times and then pour milk and foam into the centre of the chocolaty espresso coffee; add chocolate shavings to garnish and serve.

5. Flat White:

Flat White

Flat white is a drink with espresso, steamed milk, and a foam layer. It’s like a latte and a cappuccino but has a finer layer of foam on top. Unfortunately, modern coffee shops serve these three espresso coffee drinks with a minimal difference between them.

Ingredients:

2 espresso shots (2 ounces)

4 ounces of steamed milk

Instructions:

  • Grind and tamp the espresso, but don’t pull it. Store the milk pitcher in the fridge (the colder the milk is, the better for the right texture). Fill the milk jug just below the spout, about ¾ cup, using fresh whole milk (or oat milk for vegan).
  • Make two espresso shots using an espresso coffee machine or manual espresso maker, then pour them into a mug.
  • Heat the steam rod; once prepared, place the rod just below the surface of the milk, tilting the jug slightly, and keep it for 5 to 10 seconds, stretching the milk high by about 20 to 25%, with slight movements up and down. Once stretched and slightly foamy, lower the nozzle about another ½ inch and tilt the pitcher to get a spinning vortex containing the foam, turning it into a smooth microfoam. Turn off the steam before removing the rod from the jug. Wipe the rod with a clean cloth. Please turn it on for 1 second to purge the nozzle. Tap and swirl the pitcher to incorporate any bubbles on top. The final texture should look like wet paint or melted ice cream, smooth and fluffy.
  • OR heat the milk to keep it hot but not simmer it to scalding and foam it (without an espresso coffee machine). Use a French Press or a milk frother or whisk to froth the milk into an incredibly foamy texture.
  • Wipe the milk container on the counter and mix it to break down any large bubbles, then pour it into the centre of the espresso with light foam, then serve.

6. Americano:

Americano

Americano is called a Caffe Americano, made with hot water and espresso. Americano is made with either one or two espresso shots and varying water ratios. “Americano” means American in Italian or Spanish, referring to American-style coffee. An authentic Americano does not include milk like other espresso drinks, but it’s okay to add milk if needed.

Ingredients:

2 shots of espresso

4 ounces of hot water

Instructions:

  • Make the Espresso
  • Add hot water. Enjoy!

Everyone can enjoy amazing food and drinks at home; you also don’t need a fancy espresso coffee machine to make a cup of delicious espresso coffee.

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