6 Espresso Beverages and How to Make Them
A variety of espresso beverages often involve steamed, frothed milk, or a mix of both. For making lattes, cappuccinos, and other rich, creamy coffee drinks, having a reliable milk frother or steaming wand is crucial. Discover how to froth milk with a KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and KitchenAid® Automatic Milk Frother Attachment.
Having an espresso machine is like inviting a cafe into your own kitchen. But what's the secret to brewing coffee like a pro barista? Once you’ve mastered a simple espresso, you can start creating lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and Americanos with just a couple extra steps. Mastering these essential espresso drinks unlocks a whole new realm of home coffee making for you. Start playing with the water ratio to tweak the strength, add steamed milk or cream to enrich the texture, and throw in tasty extras such as chocolate sauce and whipped cream for an infinite array of espresso-based concoctions. Moreover, espresso can elevate numerous recipes, from sweets to marinades, with its robust flavour.
Popular espresso beverages globally feature a variety of additions: the hielo served cold with ice, macchiato lightly touched with milk, cortado combined with steamed milk, cappuccino topped with milk foam, breve enriched with cream, and mocha mixed with chocolate. Con panna and viennois are both finished off with whipped cream, while a latte is blended with steamed milk. For intensity, a ristretto is made with less water for a richer taste, whereas a lungo includes more water, offering a taste similar to drip coffee
Read this espresso drinks guide to learn how to make different types of espresso drinks and enjoy developing your skills.
TYPES OF ESPRESSO DRINKS CHART
WHAT IS ESPRESSO?
Espresso stands out as a dense, potent coffee variant. Its distinctiveness from a regular cup of coffee lies primarily in its preparation process. The coffee beans are finely ground and compacted, followed by forcing water under high pressure through them, resulting in a small but intensely flavorful and full-bodied coffee serving.
When it comes to the beans themselves, an espresso bean is simply a type of coffee bean that is roasted longer and darker. The process of roasting for espresso emphasizes the release of oils within the coffee bean, which, when combined with a fine grind, produces the rich thickness and full flavor that define espresso. This delightful complexity makes espresso enjoyable by itself or as a key ingredient in a range of tasty beverages, including the popular espresso martini or frappes.
Coffee grinders turn whole beans into a fragrant, flavorful brew, enhancing your coffee experience. To make delicious espresso drinks, it’s important to get a fine, consistent grind. With the KitchenAid® burr grinder, you have the flexibility to adjust the grinding time and take advantage of the handy Built-In Adjustable Portafilter Holder. This feature lets you grind beans straight into either 54-mm or 58-mm portafilters, tailored to the number of espresso shots you intend to make.
The Strength of Espresso vs Coffee
Espresso boasts a richer taste compared to regular coffee, owing to its lower grounds-to-water ratio, finer grind, and the pressurized brewing method. While espresso has a higher caffeine content per ounce, an average 8 oz. cup of coffee actually contains more total caffeine.
Top Favourite Espresso Beverages
Espresso forms the base of numerous delightful drinks. Below is a compilation of some of the most beloved espresso-based beverages.
Shot: A shot is just straight espresso which can have a bitter and intense flavor.
Latte: A latte is a type of espresso drink made with espresso, steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Flavored syrups like caramel, vanilla or lavender are often added for a sweet twist.
Cappuccino: A cappuccino is a popular espresso-based coffee drink. It typically consists of one or two shots of espresso and equal parts of steamed milk and milk foam.
Macchiato: A macchiato is a type of espresso drink made with espresso and a small amount of steamed milk, usually foam. It is generally served in a smaller cup than other espresso-based drinks and has a more intense flavor due to its higher espresso content.
Americano: An Americano is a drink that is made by diluting an espresso shot with hot water. It has a milder flavor than regular espresso.
Mocha: A mocha combines espresso with chocolate and steamed milk, and it's often finished with a dollop of whipped cream on top..
Creative Espresso Machine Drink Recipes for Coffee Lovers
While there's something special about a straightforward shot of espresso, it also serves as an excellent foundation for various classic coffee creations like lavender lattes and winter cocktails. Espresso isn't just for drinking; it can enhance food, especially desserts like chocolate espresso torte or tiramisu. Surprisingly, you can also brew tea with an espresso machine. Follow our detailed guides to make your preferred brews at home and perhaps find some new favourites in the process.
The market offers a diverse selection of espresso machines, yet the majority are equipped with the essentials for crafting these fundamental espresso beverages. Certain models, such as the KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with Automatic Milk Frother Attachment, simplify the process of creating café-standard drinks right at home.
Brewing Espresso Using a Machine
The specific process for making espresso varies significantly with the kind of espresso machine you own. These machines span from entirely manual to fully automatic types. Based on your model, certain steps might be automated, while others will require your input, allowing you to tailor your cup to your preferences.
Step 1: Grinding the Beans
A fine grind is essential for espresso. Unlike other types of brewing methods, the water in an espresso machine travels through the grounds for only a short time, and a fine grind enables maximum flavor extraction. Try starting with a grind that’s somewhere between powdery and sandy, then adjust according to your preferences. Some coffee grinders have expansive grind size options like the KitchenAid® Burr Coffee Grinder which offers 70 precise settings to help with optimal extraction for a range of brewing methods..
Step 2: Filling and Tamping the Portafilter
The portafilter resembles a spoon with a handle protruding from the espresso machine. Detach it and fill its basket to the brim with coffee grounds, keeping in mind that the required amount varies with the basket's size. Some espresso machines, including the KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine, offer baskets for both single and double shots.
Place the portafilter on a level surface and use a tamper to compress the grounds firmly, forming a snug, even puck. Achieving a flat layer of coffee is crucial to avoid water channeling, which can lead to uneven extraction of flavours. The KitchenAid® Commercial-Grade Portafilter, with its two recessed spouts, provides a flat base that facilitates stable and easy tamping, unlike the typical portafilters found in home settings.
Step 3: Extracting the Espresso
Before using, it might be necessary to flush the espresso machine's nozzle by running it once without the portafilter attached. After this, secure the portafilter and position your cup beneath it. Activate the machine to start brewing. The extraction of a standard shot usually lasts between 20 to 30 seconds. Depending on your espresso machine, there might be preset brewing times, or you may need to time the extraction yourself or halt it manually.
How to Make a Latte
Espresso with Steamed Milk and Foam
Among all espresso-based drinks, lattes stand out as the creamiest, offering a smooth and fulfilling experience. While the mix might differ slightly, the usual formula is one part espresso to two parts milk, with a dash of foam to complete the beverage.
Step 1: Extract the Espresso
If your espresso machine includes a cup warmer, use it to preheat your cup. This prevents your coffee from cooling off too quickly while you're steaming the milk. Brew one or two shots of espresso (refer to the detailed instructions under the Espresso section). Now is the time to add any flavour syrups if desired.
Step 2: Steam the milk
The steam wand, usually protruding from the machine's side and bending at a 90° angle, needs a quick activation to expel any residual water. Fill a milk jug to a third of its capacity with milk. Insert the steam wand into the milk at a slight angle, ensuring the tip is just beneath the surface. Activate the steam wand. A soft hissing sound indicates you're steaming correctly, as opposed to a loud gurgling.
Step 3: Add the Milk to the Espresso
Cease steaming once the milk achieves a smooth texture with minimal foam on top, typically around 150° F. Carefully pour the steamed milk into the espresso, keeping the foam separate so it doesn't blend with the milk. You can use a spoon to hold back the foam. Finally, gently place the foam on top of your latte.
How to Make a Cappuccino
ESPRESSO + STEAMED MILK + FOAM
A cappuccino, though composed of the same ingredients as a latte, differs in its proportions, featuring a balanced mix of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. This combination yields a beverage that's airier and frothier, with a more pronounced coffee taste.
Step 1: Pull the espresso
If available, preheat your cup with a cup warmer to keep the coffee hot as you prepare the milk. Brew one or two shots of espresso, following the detailed guide under the Espresso section.
Step 2: Steam the milk
First, purge any residual water from the steam wand by quickly activating it. Then, fill a milk pitcher to about one-third with milk and insert the steam wand at a slight angle, positioning the tip just below the milk's surface. Engage the steam function. A correctly steaming wand will emit a gentle hissing sound rather than a loud bubbling.
Step 3: Pour the milk
Stop steaming when the milk has expanded to twice its initial volume, featuring a smooth consistency with a considerable amount of foam. The ideal temperature is around 150° F. Carefully pour the milk into the espresso, allowing the liquid milk to blend while keeping the foam at bay with a spoon if needed. Finally, top the drink with the reserved foam for that classic cappuccino finish.
HOW TO MAKE A MOCHA
ESPRESSO + CHOCOLATE + STEAMED MILK + FOAM
A mocha is basically a chocolate-infused latte. Chocolate is mixed into the espresso, followed by a generous amount of milk, resulting in a rich, sweet coffee beverage.
Step 1: PULL THE ESPRESSO
Heat your cup in a cup warmer if your machine has one so the coffee doesn’t go cold while you steam the milk. Pull one or two shots of espresso (see step-by-step instructions in the Espresso tab).
Step 2: ADD THE CHOCOLATE
While the espresso is hot, add chocolate syrup, drinking chocolate, melted chocolate chips or cocoa powder to it and stir until smooth.
Step 3: STEAM THE MILK
Quickly turn on the steam wand to clear any water out of it. Pour milk into the milk pitcher. Place the steam wand into the milk at an angle, with the tip just below the surface of the milk. Turn it on. You’re doing it right if you hear a light hiss rather than a deep gurgle.
Step 4: Pour the milk
Stop steaming when the milk reaches a silky consistency with only a small amount of foam on top. The temperature should typically be around 150° F. Pour the milk slowly into the espresso to ensure the foam on top doesn’t mix with the milk. Hold it back with a spoon if possible. Then scoop the foam onto the very top of the latte.
HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICANO
ESPRESSO + HOT WATER
Choosing an Americano is perfect for those who love the deep, intricate taste of espresso but prefer the quantity of a regular drip coffee. Additionally, it's convenient because you don't need a steam wand if your espresso machine lacks one.
Step 1: Heat the water
Start bringing a pot of water to a boil. Many Americanos consist of about 2 or 3 parts water and 1 part espresso, but it’s a matter of personal preference. Make the espresso while the water is heating
Step 2: Pull the espresso and pour
Pull one, two or even three shots of espresso (step-by-step instructions on slide 1). Many Americanos are made with two shots. Add the water to the espresso and you’re done.
How to Make tea With an Espresso Machine
An espresso machine offers more than just coffee-making capabilities; it also opens up a world of options for tea lovers, from brewing a straightforward tea to crafting a tea latte. If you're after a more conventional method of making tea, consider exploring KitchenAid®'s selection of electric kettles.
STEP 1: HEAT THE WATER
The Steam Wand on some models can also dispense hot water which is great for tea, hot chocolate or an americano. Select the hot water option and place your cup under the steam wand. Select the amount of water you desire.
STEP 2: BREW THE TEA
Steep tea in the hot water as you typically would. You can use a tea bag or loose leaf tea in an infuser or strainer. Consult the tea’s container for how long to steep it for balanced flavor.
Step 3: TURN IT INTO A TEA LATTE IF DESIRED
Pour milk into the milk pitcher to a third of its capacity and place the steam wand tip just below the surface of the milk. Turn it on. Steam the milk until it has a silky consistency and a small amount of foam on top. Pour it into the tea cup slowly, holding the foam back with a spoon to be scooped onto the top
WHAT ARE ADDITIONAL ESPRESSO DRINKS I CAN MAKE?
Other espresso drinks you might want to try include a Warm Winter Espresso Cocktail, a doppio, ristretto, lungo, créme, noisette, cortado, breve, affogato and flat white. Get creative with flavors, additions and toppings such as a dash of freshly ground cinnamon or shavings of decadent dark chocolate to truly make each type of espresso drink your own inspired cup.
Explore the KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
KitchenAid has studied with top baristas to ensure that our collection of coffee products will help you brew exceptional coffee at home. Enjoy espressos, lattes and cappuccinos just the way you like with the KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with Automatic Milk Frother Attachment. This is the first residential espresso machine that features two smart temperature sensors to help maintain optimal brewing temperature, shot after shot.
DISCOVER MORE ESPRESSO POSSIBILITIES WITH KITCHENAID
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