This is the ultra secret espresso drink recipe. Ok, not really. All the steps and how to's are the same. But you will need these things:

Espresso machine (Yeah, sorry. Unless you want instant! Scroll below to see what instant espresso powder is.

Whole espresso beans

Coffee grinder with espresso setting

Espresso filter basket

Metal tamper

Small espresso cup

This is the ultra secret espresso drink recipe used in the fancy over-priced coffee stores. And most *home* espresso machines work the same way.

Grind the beans on espresso setting. Is an espresso grind different than a coffee grind? Yup! Espresso beans are ground real fine, and most machines a have a specific setting. The finer the espresso is ground, the more full-bodied a taste it will have. If you have only a regular coffee grinder at home with one basic setting, bring your espresso beans to a coffee shop. (This is what I have to do since my cappuccino maker is a slim down basic model.) Any espresso drink recipe will call for this! Ask the coffee store to grind the beans on an espresso setting for you. And if your really smart - when you purchase the beans, you will remember to ask them to do this!

Pour about 2 tsp. of the ground espresso into the filter basket. These filter baskets are usually attached to a large handle. You hang on to the handle and it pop away (easily - usually) from the espresso machine. Oh, and a lil bit of information you can store for the future; You can get filter baskets and handles about anywhere (home or kitchen stores) if you lose it when you move, or burn it in the dishwasher because it fell on the heating elements.

Tamp the espresso with a metal tamper. (Tampers are also another thing that can be purchased at local food specialty stores or kitchen stores or online stores. Again, in case you lose it or burn it too along with the filter basket.) It's amazing how many things get lost when you pack and move. Ok so, tamp and level out. Press the tamp into the ground espresso until it is flat all the way across the filter basket.

Now you have to attach the filter basket to the the espresso machine. Hold the handle of the filter basket and make sure it's under the socket of the espresso machine and lock it into place. Your directions will explain it with pictures and probably four different languages. So, lock it on and put a small espresso cup underneath the filter basket.

On the espresso machines you have a choice - "long pull" or "short pull." The pull has to do with the cup flavoring. You want normal espresso? OR ultra "bounce of the walls" espresso? The "long pull" button is used when you want more water in the espresso and is what most of us would consider "normal" The "short pull" button is for strong dense espresso.

Any espresso drink recipe will say - serve immediately. I thought that would be a known. But, if I don't put it down, inevitably I'll get an email asking, "Can I make espresso the night before and microwave in the morning for my party." So, here ya go - serve immediately! The espresso is ready to drink as soon as possible and should not sit for more than a few minutes.

Glad you asked! I've made plenty of 'em! I love bitter and sweet used together. These goodies call for espresso powder. In some of the recipes I've put how much actual espresso it would be vs. using the espresso powder. But, you can figure it out, if not.



Coffee Brownies

Cappuccino Cake

Cappuccino Cookies

No problem. Here's an easy espresso recipe - use espresso powder.

It's an instant Italian drink!


Take me back to the top of the espresso drink recipe.

See all of the Italian drinks.

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