How to make different types of espresso drinks

Last Updated on July 3, 2024 by Kimberly Crawford

We all have witnessed evolutionary changes in espresso and espresso-based drinks. Along with these changes, commercial espresso machines have also revolutionized in many ways to meet the growing demands of the coffee culture. Espresso is the basic requirement for all espresso-based drinks.

There are many espresso-based drinks like cappuccino, caffe latte, caffe mocha, caffe americano, caffe macchiato, espresso con panna, espresso macchiato, cocoa cappuccino, iced espresso, iced americano, cold foam, double shot iced shaken americano, etc. These are some of the espresso-based drinks popular among most of the population. We will see how to make some of these popular espresso and espresso-based drinks.

In this article

How to make a perfect cup of espresso

There are many ways to make a perfect cup of espresso with perfect flavor and crema. The methods of making espresso are using an espresso machine, portable espresso maker, french press method, moka pot method, and aeropress method. Let us see the process of making espresso by using an espresso machine.

The process of espresso-making starts with grinding fresh coffee beans. Take 9 gms of coffee beans for a single shot and 18 gms of coffee beans for a double shot of espresso. Then grind the coffee with proper grinder settings for perfect extraction.

Select the filter basket according to your requirement either single filter or double filter then fix it into the portafilter.

The next step is to pack and tamp the ground coffee into the portafilter. Pack the coffee into the portafilter and tamp the coffee with the help of a tamper. Press the coffee with an even pressure.

Lock in the portafilter into the group head of the espresso machine. Twist to lock the portafilter into the group head.

Now pull the perfect shot of espresso by selecting the number of shots you require. And the machine will automatically brew a shot of espresso. This method of espresso-making is used in a semi-automatic espresso machine.

How to make a latte

In all espresso-based drinks, espresso is a key ingredient in which milk and other ingredients are added to make different drinks. So first a shot of espresso is prepared in an espresso machine then all other expresso-based drinks are prepared.

Prepare a shot of espresso in a latte glass.
Fill the ⅓ milk in the milk jug.
Before steaming the milk purge the steam wand to remove the remnants of milk and water from the steam wands.
Create a foam in your milk with the help of steam wands. Then tap the milk jug on the table to remove the excess air bubbles.
Now pour the frothed milk into the prepared espresso at a certain angle.
Make sure a small amount of froth milk sits on top after pouring.
And a perfect cup of latte is ready.

How to make Americano

An americano is nothing but an espresso topped with hot water. It is also known as caffe americano. It is a diluted version of espresso. Some people find espresso too strong for them that is why an americano is best for them. For more flavors, you can add cola or milk.

Steps for making Americano:

Prepare a shot of espresso coffee in an espresso machine.
If you are using a single shot of espresso then add 2 ounces of hot water to prepare americano.
Add the espresso into the hot water in a way to get a creamy foam on top of the coffee.
And your Americano is ready.

Steps for Making White Americano

Prepare a shot of espresso coffee in an espresso machine.
Add hot milk to the espresso shot to prepare white americano.
And your White Americano is ready.

Steps for making Iced Americano

Prepare a shot of espresso coffee in an espresso machine.
Add iced water to the espresso to prepare iced americano.
And your Iced Americano is ready.

Steps of Making Fat Americano

Prepare a shot of espresso coffee in an espresso machine.
Add iced cola into the espresso shot to prepare fat americano.
And your Fat Americano is ready.

How to make a Cappuccino

A cappuccino is a combination of strong espresso and a smooth blend of creamy milk. The cappuccino is topped with a tall layer of milk foam and cocoa powder. It is a very popular espresso-based drink. The ratio of milk and coffee is 2:3 milk and 1:3 espresso in a cappuccino.

Steps of making a Cappuccino

Prepare a double shot of espresso in an espresso machine
Using a steam wand in an espresso machine make steamed milk and foam for cappuccino. Hold the steam wand nozzle just below the milk surface turn on the wand and froth the milk until it doubles in volume. Move the wand up and down to create perfect milk foam.
Pour the milk foam into the prepared espresso until the foam reaches up to the brim of the cup.
Lastly, dust the top of the cappuccino foam with ⅛ teaspoon of cocoa powder.
And your Cappuccino is prepared.

This is how the popular espresso and espresso-based drinks are prepared. There are a lot of other variants of espresso widely accepted by many people.

Examples of models of espresso machines that prepare all kinds of espresso and espresso-based drinks.

De’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine
Breville the barista express expresso machine
SMEG Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine
Nespresso Verto Plus coffee and espresso maker
Ninja Stainless Steel Speciality Coffee Maker
Cafe Affetto Automatic espresso machine
Rancilio Group Traditional commercial espresso machine
La Maraccoo espresso machine
Sanremo Cafe Racer commercial coffee machine
Sanremo Zoe Vision commercial coffee machine

FAQs on how to make different types of espresso drinks

Can we make different espresso-based beverages from an espresso machine?

Yes, you can make espresso-based drinks from an espresso machine. The espresso machine should have the feature of a steam wand for making drinks other than espresso.

Are espresso and other espresso-based drinks popular in the USA?

Yes, espresso and all espresso-based drinks are very popular among the people of the USA.