A Guide on How to Make an Espresso at Home

Sometimes, you need a wake-up call in the morning and an early evening boost when you get back from work. In these situations, espresso coffee is the pick-me-up you need. Imagine if you could have espressos on demand without having to go to the local coffee house.  

Read on for our expert tips on how to make the best espresso at home without a machine like a moka pot and a cafetiere. We’ll also share with you how to make an espresso at home if you have a coffee maker in your kitchen. 

How to Make Espresso without an Espresso Machine

If you want a strong espresso shot to give you a boost in the morning, you don’t need an espresso machine in your kitchen or pop into a coffee house.   

You could use a French press or Moka pot instead. Here’s how. 

Can You Make an Espresso with a French Press? 

A French press, sometimes called a cafetiere, is a heat-proof glass or stainless steel jug you can make espressos with.  

To get the best results with a French press, use a fine grind, close to the texture of table salt. Then, you need to hear the water until it just boils at around 200°F (93°C). 

Here’s how you can make espresso with a French press: 

• Add your grounds: Place your ground coffee at the bottom of your cafetiere. If you want a stronger brow, use a 1:4 coffee-water ratio. 
• Add a splash of hot water: Now, pour in enough hot water to cover the grounds. Wait for 30 seconds so that the coffee has a chance to release its essential oils and aromas. 
• Add the rest of the water: Next, pour your remaining water into the French press. Close the lid, making sure the plunger is pulled up. 
• Press plunger halfway: Let your coffee steep for four to five minutes then press the plunger down halfway slowly and steadily. 
• Raise and plunge again: Lift the plunger back to the top, then press it down all the way using the same slow and steady pressure. 
   

Your perfect espresso shot is now ready. Pour it straight away into your cup to enjoy the full flavour and aroma.

How to use a moka pot for espresso 

Another way to make the best espresso at home without a machine is with a moka pot.  

Moka pots work by forcing steam-pressurised boiling water through your coffee grounds using a metal filter.  

For the best results, choose a medium-fine grind and use medium heat when you’re making your espresso. As well as delivering great flavour, the medium heat also makes sure you don’t burn your coffee. 

Here’s how you can make espresso with a French press: 
 

• Add water: Pour water at a temperature of around 205oF into the bottom chamber of your moka pot so that it reaches the safety value. 
• Add your coffee: Now, add 3 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee into the filter pot. Level it to the top but don’t press it down. Add the basket back to the bottom chamber of your moka pot. 
• Assemble your moka pot: Build your moka pot by screwing together the top and bottom chambers tightly with a heat-resistant towel. Now, put your moka pot on the stove over medium to low heat. 
• Heat up: Keep your moka pot on the heat until it starts to make a hissing sound. Leave the top lid open and then close it once the coffee starts flowing into the top chamber. 
• Finish up: Listen out for the gurgling sound. This is the moka pot telling you that it’s finished the brewing process. Take the pot off the heat to stop the coffee from burning. 
   

Your espresso is now ready. Pour it into a cup straight away so you can enjoy its rich flavour. 

How to Use an Espresso Machine at Home

Now you know how to make an espresso shot at home with a French press and a moka pot.   

You’ll get great results but you’ll always get the best results with an espresso machine. 

That’s because espresso machines force water through the grounds at a much higher rate of pressure.   

This pressure is what gives espressos made by a machine their distinctive flavours and aromas. It’s also responsible for making the delicious crema which is the golden layer of foam on top of your espresso.

Follow these steps to make homemade espresso with a semi-automatic espresso maker: 
 

1.  Pull a ‘blank shot:’ Preheat the machine by running water through the portafilter and your cup without using any espresso. 
2. Grind the fresh whole beans: Do this right before brewing. Aim for a texture that’s similar to granulated sugar for the perfect taste. 
3. Fill the portafilter: For a single shot of espresso, use about 6g of ground beans (one rounded teaspoon). Use 17g (one rounded tablespoon) of ground beans for a double espresso. 
4. Tamp the grounds: Level the grounds until they appear even to ensure consistency when the water is forced through. 
5. Brew the espresso: Insert the portafilter into the machine with your cup underneath it. Have a timer ready to ensure the brewing time is 20-30 seconds. 
6. Monitor the shot: Keep an eye on the espresso flow. It should start as a slow drip and then flow smoothly. The colour should be rich and golden, and the crema on top should be thick and creamy.
    

Once the espresso is brewed, serve it immediately to enjoy its full flavour and aroma.