Want espresso but don’t have a fancy espresso machine? You don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars for great espresso at home! An espresso machine makes top quality espresso with the best smooth flavor and foamy crema on top. But there are several inexpensive tools you can make to try to approximate the flavor. Here’s what to know about how to make espresso without a machine!
Method 1: Portable espresso maker
The best way to make espresso without a machine? A portable espresso maker. This small device lets you manually push the water through the coffee into the cup. It’s small, portable, and easy to use for traveling or to take to an office! The flavor isn’t quite as tasty as espresso with a machine, and the crema is not as rich and abundant. But the flavor is surprisingly decent and at $65, it’s a steal! It’s also small and easy to hide away in cabinets or take traveling. To make espresso with a portable espresso maker, follow the instructions that come with the espresso maker you buy. Here’s the maker we use.
Method 2: French press espresso
The next best way to make espresso without a machine? A French press. The French press is a great way to make espresso, and it’s perfect if you have one on hand to make coffee. This is our top choice for how to make espresso without an espresso-specific tool, because the flavor is pretty comparable to the real thing. The French press can’t achieve a foamy crema like the first two espresso making methods and you will end up with some sediment in your cup. But for a brewed coffee method, it gets pretty close to the flavor of a true espresso. It’s great for making espresso for coffee drinks or an affogato.
How to make espresso with a French press
For more details and the full method, go to French Press Espresso.
Method 3: Moka pot espresso
The Moka Pot is a great way to achieve a dark, rich flavored coffee. It’s not exactly espresso, but it tastes so similar you can use it as a stand-in for espresso drinks. It’s more like an Americano than espresso. The Moka Pot is also known as a Bialetti, which is the brand name. It’s stovetop method for making strong coffee by forcing steam through coffee grounds. It makes a deliciously rich pot of coffee, and is popular in Europe and the US. The flavor you can achieve with a Moka Pot is fantastic. It’s more like a strong dark roast coffee: it doesn’t achieve a crema and lacks some of the richness in flavor. It makes a cup that is 5 ounces, whereas a single espresso shot is 1 ounce and a double shot is 2 ounces. But it works well as an option for espresso drinks! At a price of about $35, the Moka Pot is a steal.
How to make espresso-like coffee in a Moka Pot
For more details and the full method, go to Moka Pot Coffee.
Method 4: Aeropress espresso
You can make espresso with an Aeropress, but it’s not our top choice for flavor. Only use this if it’s the only option you have on hand! An Aeropress is a plastic cylinder used to make a single cup of coffee. It’s portable, cheap and easy to clean, making it an accessible way to make coffee. The Aeropress is very cheap at $30. But this method makes major sacrifices on flavor. Aeropress espresso tastes more bitter and flat than other methods, and has no signature crema. Only use this method if it’s your last resort.
How to make Aeropress espresso
More espresso drinks
Once you’ve got your espresso, there are so many coffee drinks to make! Here are some of our favorite espresso drinks:
Go classic with a Latte, Cappuccino or Flat White Try an Americano or Macchiato Grab a Cortado, Gibraltar, Breve, Espresso Con Panna, Ristretto, or Lungo Go chocolaty with a Mocha or Mocha Cappuccino Opt for chilled with an Iced Latte, Iced Espresso, Iced Mocha, Iced White Chocolate Mocha or Iced Cappuccino Add tea for a Dirty Chai Latte Add vodka for an Espresso Martini
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