Espresso is a beverage that energizes people around the globe. Espresso fans who prefer their coffee without any additions would never even consider adding anything else to their beloved drink.
But it is undeniable that espresso has become an ingredient for numerous other beverages. Think about lattes: vanilla, mocha, mint, gingerbread, eggnog, and the options continue.
However, the array of espresso beverages surpasses simply including a latte and cappuccino. It makes no difference whether you prefer to just drink espresso or want to try out various espresso beverages; there are options for everyone.
We have you taken care of if you’re feeling stuck in the same espresso routine or you want to expand the espresso items on your menu. This compilation of espresso drinks comes complete with recipes, allowing you to handcraft each one at home.
Different Types of Espresso Drinks
Ristretto
At the top of the list of espresso-based beverages is the ristretto. Ristretto is a single, short espresso shot. The preparation of this beverage takes less time than usual, needing only 15 to 20 seconds in compared to the normal 25 to 30 seconds. Its taste is more intense and sugary than that of regular espresso. If you consume a ristretto in the morning, it’ll give you an instant energy boost.
In order to make a ristretto, you must have a appliance that has a preprogrammed ristretto button or one that gives you the ability to modify the time of brewing.
Ristretto recipe:
- Grind the coffee — Use espresso roast beans. 9 grams for one shot and 18 grams for double. Grind until you have very finely ground.
- Tamp coffee grounds — Place the ground coffee in the portafilter and tamp the grounds until compressed.
- Pull the shot — Lock in the portafilter and press the button on the espresso machine to start brewing. Aim for a 1:1.5 or 1:2 ratio of coffee to espresso.
Lungo
Ristretto is the Italian word for a short and that is the opposite of lungo. A lungo needs to be brewed for around 35 to 40 seconds, which is a bit longer than the typical 25 to 30 seconds.
The amount of water that passes through the coffee grounds is doubled, leading to an increased caffeine content and greater extraction. The taste is more bitter than regular espresso and not as strong.
Lungo has a similar appearance to an Americano, however it has a unique preparation and distinct flavor.
The procedure for making a lungo is identical to that of a ristretto but with a longer brew time, which should be set to at least 35 seconds. If your espresso machine has a specific button for lungo, you can use it instead. Aim for a 1:3 ratio of coffee to espresso.
Doppio
This coffee beverage is called a doppio, which is the Italian word for double; therefore, it is a double espresso. This phrase was used widely by Starbucks in the Seattle area between the 1980s and 1990s.
A doppio is usually presented in a larger-than-usual demitasse or in a mug meant for a cappuccino. A doppio is a double shot. It uses twice as much coffee, translating to an increased amount of caffeine than an ordinary espresso.
Brew two espresso shots with an espresso machine, using finely ground coffee.
Americano
Americano is named after Americans (who would’ve guessed). U.S. citizens are known to weaken their espresso, resulting in the popular drink now known as latte. During World War II, baristas in Italy created a drink called Americano to cater to US soldiers.
The addition of water reduces the intensity of the espresso taste, making Americano more enjoyable to drink than an ordinary espresso.
To make an Americano, one should extract one shot of espresso and adjoin it with 6 ounces of hot water, or double the espresso shot and mix it with 8 ounces of hot water.
Red Eye
Generally, all espresso drinks can provide energy to keep you going through the day, however the red eye offers a particularly powerful boost. Red Eye will keep you wide awake due to its substantial amount of caffeine. This beverage is not for the weak-willed, so if you’ve never sampled it previously, I would suggest throwing in some sugar or cream.
This beverage consists of a cup of drip coffee with an espresso shot poured over it. If necessary, you can even add two shots of espresso to your drink (referred to as a black eye).
Make a regular brew of coffee and mix in a single or double shot of espresso.
Affogato
Affogato is an Italian delicacy. It means submerged, and it’s submerging ice cream in coffee. To prepare an affogato, only two elements are required: frozen dessert and espresso.
To be forthright, it is predominantly a dessert, however it does contain a shot of espresso, making it suitable to be categorised as a beverage as well. Additionally, it is an outstanding treat for those who enjoy coffee – it will take care of your cravings for something sweet and give you an extra jolt of energy.
In a cup, put a scoop of vanilla ice cream and then top it with a shot of espresso for an affogato. You may choose to put additional toppings on your dessert, like caramel, chocolate sauce, or crumbled cookies.
Espresso Con Panna
Espresso con panna means espresso with cream in Italian. This espresso beverage consists of a single shot topped with a tablespoon of whipped cream.
The concoction is light due to the combination of a robust espresso flavor and sugary cream. This beverage is also provided as a dessert at the end of a meal. This espresso drink is not excessively sweet like some others. Instead, the cream melts and infuses the espresso.
Make a cup of espresso then put a spoonful of whipped cream on top.
Cortado
The drink of Spanish derivation, Cortado, gets its name from the action of ‘chopping’ or ‘cutting’ the intensity of the espresso with the addition of milk. This espresso beverage can be found in a 4.5 oz glass, either transparent or with a glossy finish, referred to as a Gibraltar glass.
Cortado is equal parts espresso and milk. The espresso flavor is strong without being overpowering, and is harmoniously blended with the milk.
To make a cortado, prepare two ounces of espresso using a double-shot of espresso. Heat up 2 ounces of milk in steam until it reaches between 130 and 140 degrees and mix together. The milk should have the same fluidity as liquid paint and should not be bubbly or frothy like other espresso and milk beverages.
Macchiato
Macchiato is another espresso drink coming from Italy. In Italian, the word “macchiato” translates to “stained” because adding milk to espresso will result in a stained cup. This beverage is an espresso with a layer of foam decorating the top. The froth dissipates into the beverage and enhances the espresso taste.
A macchiato espresso has less milk than a latte or cappuccino, making it slightly less sugary in taste than a latte, yet having stronger flavor.
Make an espresso macchiato by pulling a shot of espresso and then topping it with approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of froth.
Cappuccino
The cappuccino is a renowned espresso beverage that originated in Italy and has evolved over time. It features a combination of espresso and warm milk and is one of the oldest espresso drinks.
A widely held view was that a cappuccino was composed of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, and 1/3 froth. Even though the proportion doesn’t matter, a cappuccino is still a perfect combination of espresso, warm milk, and a thick layer of foam.
A genuine Italian cappuccino requires 25 ml of espresso and 100 ml of steamed frothed milk. According to western standards, a cappuccino consists of one shot of espresso, milk with a creamy texture, and at least an inch of foam at the top.
Caffe Latte
A caffe latte is an espresso beverage that consists mostly of steamed milk, and is often served in many cafes. The structure of a caffe latte is nearly the same as a cappuccino, comprised of espresso and steamed milk with a topping of microfoam.
The phrase “Caffe e latte” in Italian translates to “coffee and milk”.
Fun fact! Request a latte in Italy and you will be presented with a tall glass of milk. It is important to order a Caffe Latte instead, since this indicates that coffee and milk will be served, since Caffe stands for coffee in Italian and Latte stands for milk.
A cup of 240 ml is used to make a modern latte, containing one shot of espresso, with steamed milk and around 12 mm of foam topping. The main distinction between a cappuccino and a caffe latte is the proportion of espresso to milk and the consistency of the foam.
Did you know that a Latte is a weakened form of a Cortado compared to the latter?
Flat White
The flat white is similar to the cappuccino, as it also contains espresso, steamed milk, and foam on top.
A clear distinction between a flat white, cappuccino, and latte is the amount of microfoam used. A flat white has the least amount of microfoam when compared to other drinks. Likewise, when making a latte or cappuccino, usually two shots of espresso are poured though one can be used. In particular, this is the generally accepted amount for a flat white.
Flat white has been known to be mistaken for cortado, therefore it would be encouraged to dedicate an entire topic devoted to the distinction between these two coffee drinks.
Piccolo Latte
In Italian, “piccolo” translates to “small” in English, thereby making a “piccolo latte” a small latte. There is a growing interest in this small beverage as the coffee-loving crowd desire to get the energy they need from caffeine but also try to moderate how much dairy they consume.
A piccolo latte is a combination of 30 ml of espresso and 60 ml of steamed milk. Taste wise, this is almost identical to a latte although the coffee presence is much more powerful.
Mocha
Mocha Coffee is a universally beloved espresso drink with a unique and delicious chocolate flavor that needs no introduction. It is an introduction to coffee for many people who are converting from drinking chocolate beverages to coffee as they get older.
A Mocha is a beverage that is prepared almost the same way as a Café Latte but has the addition of chocolate or chocolate syrup in the espresso mixture before steaming and adding the foamed milk.
However, did you realize that the term Mocha in the early days did not relate to the meaning we ascribe to it today?
In the beginning of coffee harvesting, Yemen had the main role in sets of global producing and distributing of coffee, with the Moka bean being the most desired type of bean. The term “mocha” was created during this time to refer to coffee beans that had been brought in from Al Moka, a port city in Yemen.
Espresso Macchiato
In Italian, the word “Macchiato” basically means “spot” or “stain”. The invention of the Espresso Macchiato came about in the 1980s when Italian baristas found a way to quickly tell apart orders of solely espresso and macchiatos.
They created stained espresso by putting an extra dollop of milk foam on top of the espresso to give it an attractive appearance.
An Espresso Macchiato is generally made with a one or two shot espresso with a dash of milk added on top, coloring the cream of the espresso.
The ratio of espresso to milk in making this drink follows a brew ratio of two parts espresso to one part milk, making it a more intense variation on the Cortado.
Latte Macchiato
A Latte Macchiato is essentially a latte that has been “spotted” or “stained” with an additional shot of espresso. The Italian word for this process is “macchiato”, referring to the dot of espresso. To put it another way, it is also a Caffe Latte flipped over. To make a Latte Macchiato, steam creamy, foam-filled milk and pour it into a coffee mug. Then, pull a shot of espresso on top of it. The topping of foam on a Latte Macchiato is given its name as a result of the espresso shot being “marked” with it.
The Caramel Latte Macchiato, which is widely recognized, was made famous by the Starbucks coffee chain. In this variation, the espresso is topped with a layer of foamed milk and drizzles of caramel sauce instead of being stained by it.
Long Black
In a long black, espresso is made by pouring it into a cup already filled with hot water, the opposite process to making an Americano. For the average person, there is no perceivable distinction between a long black and an Americano. Coffee enthusiasts argue otherwise.
Why? You’d ask.
The answer can be found in the crema; the light, frothy top coating of an espresso.
By pulling an espresso over hot water, it allows the crema layer to remain intact, whereas in an americano, the crema from the espresso would have been diluted by the added water. The crema in espresso contains the majority of the fragrant compounds, making the taste and aroma of a long black more recognizable and obvious in comparison to an americano.