Love a great espresso shot? Then you’re probably already turned on to Ristretto! This delicious short shot of espresso is pulled faster, making it have a sweeter, richer flavor than the standard. It’s a great way to mix up the classic when you’re looking for something a little different, or slightly alter the flavor of your Starbucks espresso drink. What’s the exact difference between ristretto vs espresso? Here’s what to know, and how to make a ristretto shot at home!
What is ristretto?
Ristretto is a short espresso shot that’s pulled in less time than the standard shot (it means “restricted” in Italian). It uses the same amount of coffee, but is made in 15 to 20 seconds versus 25 to 30 seconds. This shorter extraction time makes ristretto taste sweeter and more intense than the normal espresso shot. You can order ristretto at your local coffeeshop, or even at Starbucks! You can request a ristretto shot to replace espresso in any of the Starbucks espresso drinks, like a latte, macchiato, Americano, iced latte, and more.
Long shot vs ristretto
What’s the opposite of ristretto? A long shot, or Lungo! Italian for “long,” the lungo uses the same amount of espresso as a normal shot but is pulled in 35 to 40 seconds. The longer extraction makes it taste slightly less intense but more bitter. What’s the better of the two? In our opinion, the Ristretto is king! Its sweet, rich flavor beats the bitter lungo any day. (But that’s just us.)
Make it at home with an espresso machine
Love the intense flavor of a ristretto shot? You can make it at home, but you’ll need specific gear. In fact, there’s really no way to make ristretto coffee without an espresso machine. Here’s what to know:
You’ll need a great countertop espresso machine. Here’s the Breville espresso machine we use: it works like a charm and makes the best espresso we’ve had outside of Italy. This type of machine is similar to what you’d see a barista use: it sits on the countertop and grinds the coffee. Many espresso makers also have a steaming wand: it makes the best steamed milk for lattes and cappuccinos.Pros and cons: Countertop espresso machines are pricey, starting at about $300 up to several thousand dollars. But if you’re a purist, it’s worth it for the high quality! It’s really the only way to make a ristretto in the comfort of your own home.Accessories: Make sure to get a knock box to use with your espresso machine. It’s helpful for tamping and discarding the used coffee grounds.
The coffee to use: espresso roast
Start with an espresso roast coffee for a ristretto: the roast is important to get the right dark, bitter flavor to an espresso shot. Some espresso coffee brands we recommend are Illy, Starbucks, or Intelligentsia.
How to make a ristretto shot
Got your espresso maker and your coffee beans? Let’s make a ristretto! Here’s what to do: And that’s it! Enjoy your beautifully rich, aromatic ristretto shot. Let us know how you got on in the comments below!
More espresso drinks
Want to make all the espresso drinks? In our Barista Series, we’ll show you how to make everything coffee related. Try these coffee drinks:
Go classic with an Espresso, Americano or MacchiatoAdd dairy for a Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Cortado, or BreveGo cold with an Iced Latte, Iced Vanilla Latte or Iced Espresso
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