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Essential Espresso Drinks
Just starting your coffee journey? Not sure what to order at your local cafe? Are you simply looking to try something new? We're here to help you navigate the differences between twenty-two classic espresso-based drinks. Key differences between each drink include the espresso-to-milk ratios, the espresso shot volume, and the texture of the milk. By the end, we hope to turn you into an espresso drink-making pro!
Below, we'll unveil essential drinks found in most coffee shops and provide quick, easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations to get you started. We hope this page serves as a refresher for seasoned coffee drinkers as well as an introduction to the world of espresso for those just starting out.
Click the name to jump to a recipe
Espresso
Espresso
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind the coffee needed for your espresso recipe, (16–18g for a double shot). The grounds should be fine enough that it takes about 25–30 seconds for your shot(s) to brew).
2. Place the grounds in a portafilter and distribute them as evenly as possible. Afterwards, tamp the espresso grounds, try to use at least 30lbs of pressure when tamping.
3. Once the grounds are ready, lock in the portafilter and brew your espresso.
Note: When brewing, stop the espresso shot once it reaches the intended weight, regardless of what time it may have reached it. If the espresso shot brewed too quickly or slowly, adjust your grind as needed.
Doppio
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans to the consistency best suited for your brewing method.
2. Brew two shots of espresso.
3. Serve in a cup and add sugar if preferred.
Doppio
Ristretto
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. The most common way to make a ristretto is to prepare it as if you were making an espresso but pull it before all the water passes through the grinds. The amount of water that should pass is 15–25ml.
2. Another way to prepare it is by grinding the beans to a finer consistency. This makes it more difficult for the water to push through and results in a smaller shot.
Ristretto
Lungo
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind the coffee beans. Since the pull is longer for a lungo, some recommend a slightly coarser grind to slow the extraction rate and reduce bitterness. Aim for the same amount as a regular espresso shot.
2. Once your grounds are tamped, start to brew. If your machine has a “long brew” or double-shot button, use it. If it doesn’t have that button, keep an eye on the time. Some lungo techniques recommend pulling for up to a minute. After about 40 seconds, the flavor will change, and you can experiment to determine the best timing for your taste.
Lungo
Macchiato
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
- Milk steamer, frother
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans.
2. Pull a shot of espresso using your espresso machine or Moka Pot. If you don't have these, you can substitute for strongly brewed coffee.
3. Steam your milk and froth until your milk doubles in size. If you don't have a milk steamer, you can heat milk in the microwave or a pot on the stove. Then pour it into a mason jar and shake it or whisk it until it is full frothed.
4. Finish by pouring the steamed milk into the espresso. If you want to be extra, try making latte art!
Macchiato
Café Crème
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
- Milk steamer
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee and brew your espresso shot using your preferred method. While the espresso is dripping into the mug, you can add a sugar cube to dissolve into hot espresso.
2. While your espresso is brewing, steam and froth your heavy cream.
3. Spoon out froth and top the espresso in the mug. Pour a little froth into the mug and mix.
Cafe Creme
Café Noisette
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
- Milk steamer
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee. Pull a shot of espresso using an espresso machine or preferred brewing method and pour it into your cup.
2. Steam 1/4 cup of milk using a milk frother or steamer. Pour the steamed milk into your cup, filling it to the top. Spoon some of the milk foam on top of the milk. Serve and enjoy.
Cafe Noisette
Cortado
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee Grinder
- Milk Steamer
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind the coffee beans and tamp the beans. Apply light pressure and release with a slight twist.
2. Prepare the glass by warm it up.
3. Make a double shot of espresso using your preferred brewing method.
4. While the shot is being pulled, steam approximately 2 ounces of milk or milk alternative. You want the ratio of milk to coffee in your drink to be one-to-one.
5. Pour the milk slowly and gently into the glass over the espresso. Serve and enjoy!
Cortado
Cappuccino
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
- Milk Steamer
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans and brew your coffee using your preferred method.
2. While your espresso is brewing, steam and froth your milk. The goal is to have a cup full of 1/3 of coffee, 1/3 of steamed milk, and a 1/3 of milk foam.
3. Once your milk and foam are ready, slowly pour it over the coffee. You can try your hand at latte art as well if you like!
Cappuccino
Dry Cappuccino
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
- Whisk or hand mixer
INSTRUCTIONS
1. First get your milk foamed. If you have an espresso machine, steam your milk as usual. Otherwise, pour 1½ cups of milk into a saucepan and heat on low.
2. As bubbles form, remove the milk from the heat. If you want a bit of steamed milk in your dry cappuccino, put a small amount of the heated liquid to the side, and use the majority for the next step.
3. You can use a whisk or a hand mixer to make the foam. Place to the side when finished.
4. Brew your espresso using your preferred brewing method.
5. Dry cappuccinos require little to no steamed milk (those without any milk are called "bone-dry cappuccinos"). Add the coffee to the cup first, followed by any sweeteners or flavors if desired. Then simply top with the foam (you can add a small amount of steamed milk first if desired).
6. Serve and enjoy!
Dry Cappuccino
Americano
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans and heat your water.
2. Pull a shot or two of espresso using your preferred brewing method.
3. Pour the espresso into your coffee mug, then add the hot water on top. The goal is a ratio of one part espresso and two parts water.
4. If desired you can also add milk, cream, or sweeteners. Serve and enjoy!
Americano
Affogato
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
- Bowl or glass
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans and brew one shot of espresso using your preferred method.
2. Add two scoops of ice cream to a small drinking glass or bowl. You can use any flavor you like, the most popular to use is vanilla.
3. Finally, pour the espresso shot over the ice cream.
4. Garnish and serve! You top it off with chocolate or add a splash of amaretto if desired.
Affogato
Breve
EQUIPMENT
- Coffee grinder
- Espresso Machine
- Milk frother or whisk
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat the half-and-half using a microwave, steamer, or stove top. Once the half-and-half is hot, whisk until foam forms. Then scoop it into another cup. Continue until a third of the cup is filled with foam.
2. Grind your coffee beans and pull your shot using your preferred brewing method.
3. Finally, combine the espresso with the warm half-and-half. Add the foam you saved on top.
4. You can garnish the drink with cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or other preferred toppings.
Breve
Mocha Breve
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans and brew your espresso using your preferred brewing method.
2. While the espresso is brewing, steam your half-and-half. Making sure there is a nice layer of foam.
3. Add chocolate sauce to the cup first, then pour the half-and-half, finally pour the espresso over it.
4. Serve and enjoy!
Mocha Breve
Mocha
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee and brew a double shot of espresso using your preferred brewing method.
2. Add chocolate to the mug first, then pour the espresso over it.
3. Steam your milk. If you don't have a steamer or espresso machine, you can heat it over the stove or in the microwave.
4. Foam the milk. If you don't have an espresso machine, you can do this with a milk frother, French Press, jar, or whisk. Do this until it is very foamy.
5. Pour milk over the coffee and chocolate, scoop some foam on top.
6. Garnish with chocolate shavings or other toppings if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Mocha
Café con Hielo
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Grind your coffee and pull a double shot of espresso or substitute for strongly brewed coffee.
3. Pour your espresso or coffee over the ice.
4. Serve and enjoy! You can also add milk and sugar to taste, if preferred.
Cafe con Hielo
Café Bombòn
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. First, grind your coffee and brew your espresso using your preferred method.
2. Next, add about 2 oz. of condensed milk to the cup.
3. Once your espresso is ready, slowly pour it over the condensed milk.
4. Stir to mix the ingredients and enjoy!
Cafe Bombon
Con Panna
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Electric mixer (or hand mixer)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Whip heavy cream using an electric mixer or hand mixer. Stop mixing when you see stiff peaks forming. The right consistency will come with practice.
2. Next, grind your coffee beans and pull a shot of espresso into your cup of choice.
3. Top the espresso with cream. Be gentle as you want the whipped cream to sit on top of the shot rather than be submerged or mixed into the espresso.
4. Serve and enjoy!
Con Panna
Flat White
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee and pull your shot of espresso.
2. Next, steam the milk. This can be done with an espresso machine or using a stove top or microwave.
3. Once heated, pour milk over the coffee. Pour gently to leave about a quarter of an inch of milk resting on top of the drink. Serve and enjoy!
Flat White
Black Eye
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans.
2. Using a coffee machine, brew 8 oz. of coffee.
3. Using an espresso machine or Moka pot, pull two shots of espresso.
4. Combine the coffee and espresso and enjoy!
5. If desired, you can smooth the flavor out with milk, half-and-half, or sugar.
Black Eye
Latte
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Milk steamer, frother
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans and brew the espresso using your preferred method.
2. Steam the milk using your espresso machine or heat the milk on the stovetop and froth it afterwards. You can use a milk frother, French Press, or whisk to froth as well.
3. Add the espresso to your cup first, followed by the steamed milk, and the foam. If you're feeling creative, you can use the foam to create latte art!
Latte
Galão
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine or Moka Pot
- Small saucepan or milk steamer
- Whisk or milk frother
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your espresso beans finely.
2. Pull two shots of espresso using your preferred brewing method. You can also substitute for strongly brewed coffee.
3. Heat the milk in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat or use a milk steamer, if available.
4. Froth it with a whisk or milk frother.
5. Pour the milk and espresso into your cup of choice.
6. Add sugar or honey if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Galao
Double Latte
EQUIPMENT
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind your coffee beans and brew two shots of espresso using your preferred brewing method.
2. Steam milk, you'll want to use double the amount you use in a traditional latte for a creamy, smooth texture.
3. Pour the steamed milk over two shots of espresso make sure to leave a small layer of foam on top. You can add flavored syrups if desired.
Double Latte
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