If you’re a coffee lover, you cannot be ignored to enjoy the types of espresso shots to increase your coffee experience. The ristretto is bold and concentrated; the lungo is a milder drink. From a strong, full-bodied espresso for a quick pick-me-up to a lighter shot that blends perfectly into lattes. Let’s understand the different espresso shots will help you find the perfect one for every coffee moment.
Spend a little time reading the detailed information about types of espresso shots below.
What is Espresso?
An espresso is a concentrated coffee shot that is bold, rich, and very creamy. A regular cup of coffee is different from espresso. Espresso is made when hot, pressurized water is forced through finely ground coffee beans. The espresso brewing process has a full-body taste and a small powerful shot. Do you like espresso and want to use espresso as a base for espresso-based drinks? cappuccino, latte, and espresso martini, espresso is a great choice for you.
Roasting espresso beans are darker and longer than regular coffee beans. The espresso roasting technique brings out the natural oils of the beans to make beans with a well-rounded intense flavor. This process becomes thick, rich, and satisfying like you want in an espresso when used with a fine espresso grind.
The 21 Types of Espresso Shots You Must Try
Next, we will help you identify 21 types of espresso to help you understand better. From there, the process of choosing the type of coffee to enjoy becomes easier.
1. Espresso
As the foundation of all espresso-based drinks, an espresso shot is prepared by forcing hot, pressurized water through finely ground coffee. Espresso contains about 6-8 grams of coffee in each shot. This full-bodied and concentrated drink provides a rich, bold flavor that’s delicious on its own or to base other drinks.
2. Ristretto
A ristretto shot is a more intense version than the classic espresso and uses finer coffee grounds and less water. In turn, the coffee is bolder, slightly sweeter, and has a more powerful caffeine kick. Ristretto is a favorite among espresso enthusiasts for its powerful, rich taste.
3. Cappuccino
Traditionally, the cappuccino is a rich, balanced, creamy coffee, based on a strong espresso. One-third coffee, one-third steamed milk, and one-third foam. The more milk is steamed, the less drinkable cappuccino you have, and the less steamed milk, a more potent espresso taste. Therefore, each sip tastes more like a cup of coffee first.
4. Doppio
A doppio shot is a double shot made with twice the coffee grounds as a single espresso using a double shot filter. A doppio is richer and more intense tasting than a single shot. Types of espresso shots, doppio is a drink that is ideal for the espresso lover who can’t get enough of a strong espresso shot.
5. Caffé Latte
Espresso shots are known in the form of caffé latte, with a heavy and creamy texture. It’s a coffee drink, made from a mix of espresso and steamed milk, with a very thin layer of foam on top. It’s a mild well balanced drink, that can be flavored with cinnamon and cocoa powder. Even vanilla if you want a touch of sweetness.
6. Piccolo Latte
The piccolo latte is a milder smaller drink. The coffee drink is made with a shot of ristretto combined with steamed milk, which brings you a softer smoother coffee taste. The piccolo latte is named for its petite size. The drink is served in a small cup to be enjoyed for its balanced taste.
7. Mocha
The shot is served on mocha, espresso, steamed milk, syrup, whipped cream, or more syrup. Mocha is a very popular dessert-style coffee, made with rich coffee and sweet chocolate flavor.
8. Flat White
Flat white is a favorite from Australia and New Zealand. There’s a rich espresso shot, then a layer of steamed milk to come up with that smooth creamy drink. This coffee drink is a very strong coffee taste with a velvety texture and is famous for its higher coffee-to-milk ratio than a latte.
9. Cortado
Cortado are types of coffee shots to which as much steamed milk as espresso. They are added to make a smooth, mellow drink with no foam. Due to cortado’s balanced texture, the espresso concentrates the drinker’s rich flavor without putting it to shame.
10. Espresso Macchiato
Espresso macchiato is espresso with a bit of steamed milk and foam. A softer finish balances out the espresso and a rich and creamy mouth feel.
11. Latte Macchiato
The latte macchiato is a flipped version of the traditional macchiato in that it first steams milk, and then adds a shot of espresso to the top. The drink gives you a layering of flavors with sort of a milder coffee flavor so the milk can shine. Therefore, latte macchiato is for people who like a milder espresso taste.
12. Red Eye
The red eye is brewed coffee with an espresso shot, for an extra caffeine kick. Red Eye is a drink that has become popular as a quick energy boost. The coffee drink helps you a quick energy boost of brewed coffee and espresso in one cup.
13. Lazy Eye
The lazy eye is a milder twist of decaffeinated coffee with two shots of espresso. If you don’t want a very strong coffee, then the coffee drink is just for you. Lazy Eye leans sweet, without overpowering caffeine.
14. Black Tie
The black tie is a fusion of two espresso shots and the traditional flavors of Thai tea, sweet and bold. You can season your Thai coffee iced or hot, mixing a bold espresso with a faint quantity of Thai spices.
15. Americano
You add hot water to a shot of espresso that becomes americano. The Americano is a great way to get a smoother, milder flavor of espresso with its bold coffee essence. If you prefer this type of black coffee with a lighter texture and a less intense taste. Americano becomes a great option.
16. Lungo
A lungo is Italian for ‘long,’ and it’s made by passing twice the water through the same coffee grounds. The lungo is different from traditional espresso. Because lungo comes with a higher caffeine content and mild taste.
17. Affogato
The affogato are types of espresso shots dessert-style, with a scoop of ice cream and a hot shot of espresso. The hot and cold play well together, each balancing the other. Affogato brings together onto its surface the flavors of espresso and ice cream to make a sweet delight for coffee drinkers.
18. Espresso con Panna
Espresso con panna is espresso with whipped cream. The drink makes for a delicious, creamy, rich, sweet, indulgent coffee experience.
19. Black Eye
The black eye is similar to the red eye, in that the drink adds two shots of espresso to brewed coffee. Black eye is a favorite of serious coffee drinkers. Because these types of coffee shots are powerful coffee flavors and its higher caffeine content.
20. Dripped Eye
The dripped eye ups the ante with three espresso shots in a cup of brewed coffee. The dripped eye provides a very strong taste and no small amount of caffeine kick. If you like intense, full-bodied coffee flavor, this is a bold coffee experience.
21. Galão
The Portuguese drink is a quarter espresso and three-quarters steamed milk foam. Galão is light and smooth like a latte but with more fluff.
What Can Espresso Shots Be Served With?
Espresso can be used in many different ways and pairs very well with side dishes, desserts, and flavors to make them more flavorful. In classic combinations, milk can come foamed (Steamed) or from a foam (Foamed) in lattes and cappuccinos. As a dollop of whipped cream (Espresso con Panna) for a delicately rich, smooth Espresso. There’s also chocolate, which is another favorite. Chocolate is added as syrup to mocha lattes or with espresso beans for a delightful contrast.
Espresso also makes a fabulous indulgent twist with an affogato of ice cream, or with a cocktail or liqueur like Kahlua. Espresso’s intense flavor is balanced by sweeteners and flavored syrups. You can enjoy espresso with small treats like biscotti or pastries. Therefore, espresso is a versatile base for both casual and dessert-style coffee experiences.
Final Words
Now that you familiar types of espresso shots there are and what flavors they bring. You can easily choose the right one. From the intense richness of a doppio to the slightly more rounded flavor of a lungo, each shot has its own special qualities. The next time you’re at a coffee shop or brewing at home. You should use this guide to pick the espresso shot that works best for your taste and mood.
