Here at CoffeeSphere, we share recipes that are easy to make at home.
While we do occasionally share recipes requiring an espresso machine, we like keeping it simple.
And we understand that not everyone has an espresso machine at home. They can get pricey and take practice and time to master.
So when you want to make espresso and espresso based drinks, what do you do if you don’t have a fancy machine?
The good news is that it is possible to make espresso without an espresso machine.
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If you have one of the following three coffee makers, you can make espresso!
Choose whichever coffee maker you already have at home:
What is espresso?
Espresso is the base for many of your favorite coffee drinks like cappuccinos, americanos, macchiatos, lattes and flat whites.
A shot of espresso is one ounce and two shots, also called doppio, is two ounces. If you’re drinking a shot or two of espresso, this is usually served in a small demitasse cup.
The difference between all the espresso based drinks is the amount of water, milk and or milk foam in them. But the similarity is that they all contain one or more shots of espresso.
For example:
- Cappuccino = 1 part espresso, 1 part steamed milk, 1 part milk foam
- Latte = 1 part espresso, 2 parts milk, layer of milk foam
- Espresso macchiato = 1 shot espresso, splash of milk
Read More: A Guide to 20+ Popular Types of Coffee
Espresso makes a good base for these drinks because it is highly concentrated so you can still taste it among the added milk.
The highly concentrated coffee is achieved by using an espresso machine. The machine pressurizes hot water through tightly packed and finely ground coffee.
Can you make an espresso without a machine?
So can you actually make espresso without an espresso machine?
A shot of espresso is all about the pressure. So an espresso machine, which has the ability to apply the perfect amount of pressure, can’t be achieved exactly with the other methods. But they come close enough if you’re making coffee drinks at home.
What we’re achieving here with these three methods are the most concentrated coffee possible. They are good substitutes to help you make a shot close to one that’s made with an espresso machine.
So if you don’t have an espresso machine at home, this shouldn’t stop you from making espresso based drinks.
3 Ways to Make Espresso Without an Espresso Machine
For all three methods, you need coffee beans, a coffee bean grinder and water.
How to make espresso in a moka pot
- Grind coffee beans extra fine. We use our Hario Skerton Coffee Grinder.
- Unscrew the top chamber from the bottom chamber of the moka pot. Remove the filter basket.
- Add water to the bottom vessel.
- Place the filter basket on top of the water.
- Fill the filter basket with finely ground coffee.
- Screw top back on to the bottom chamber.
- Place moka pot on the stovetop on low heat.
- When you hear a gurgling sound, turn off the heat. This is the sound of the coffee rising into the top chamber.
- Pour and enjoy!
Read More: How to Brew Espresso with a Moka Pot
Our Moka Pot Pick:
This is the iconic moka pot that has been manufactured by Bialetti since 1933. It was invented by an Italian engineer named Alfonso Bialetti.
Today, there are various sizes from 1 cup to 12 cup Bialetti moka pots. They are made with high-quality food grade aluminum that will last for years.
How to make espresso in an Aeropress
- Grind coffee beans extra fine. We use a Hario Grinder.
- Place one paper filter into the Aeropress filter cap and wet with water.
- Put on the filter cap. And add ground coffee.
- Use a clear plastic squeeze bottle to tamp it down. (A spice jar or a wooden dowel will work too, as long as it will fit in the brewing chamber.)
- Wet another paper filter and adhere it onto the bottom of the squeeze bottle.
- Push the moisten filter down onto the compacted coffee ground and leave it there.
- Place the Aeropress on a cup.
- Heat water to 200°F and pour in slowly.
- Insert the plunger and start pressing down slowly. Keep your hands steady throughout the whole process until the end.
- Enjoy!
Read More: How to Make Espresso with Aeropress: A Step by Step Guide
Where to Buy an Aeropress:
- Aeropress on Amazon
- Extra Aeropress paper filters
- Reusable metal Aeropress filters
- Learn more about the Aeropress by watching a documentary, AeroPress Movie
How to make espresso in a French press
- Measure 35 grams of coffee beans. We use a digital scale.
- Grind coffee beans extra fine. We use a Hario Grinder.
- Remove the plunger filter from the beaker.
- Place the ground coffee into the French press.
- Pour about 2 ounces of water enough to dampen the coffee grounds. Bloom for 25 seconds. (This creates a more flavorful brew by releasing the carbon dioxide that forms while roasting.)
- Pour 6 more ounces of water into the French press.
- Put the lid on.
- Wait for about 3 minutes.
- Push plunger down gently.
- Pour and enjoy!
Read More: How to Make Espresso in a French Press (A Step by Step Guide with Images!)
Our French Press Pick:
Though an Italian, Attilio Calimani is attributed as the developer of the French press in the 1930s, it gained popularity in France. So in the 1970s, Jørgen Bodum (the founder of Bodum’s son) made his own version of the French press.
The Bodum Chambord is an iconic French press that was originally produced in France. The name Chambord came about because of the dome shape. It resembles the towers of a French castle called Chambord.
Bodum’s Chambord is available in various designs and all sorts of colors.
We also like using our 1 liter (8 cup) Brazil French press, which is large enough to double as a cold brew coffee maker to make a batch of cold brew coffee concentrate.
