There are several ways to make an espresso without an espresso machine. While the results are exactly the same, you can get espresso-like coffee that's just as rich and delicious.
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Aeropress
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French press
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Moka pot
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Milk frother
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Portable espresso machine
Before you get started, grind your coffee beans for your espresso. Use a manual or electric burr grinder to get a fine grind, that's perfect for an intense espresso shot.
How to Make Espresso Without a Machine
Since making an espresso is down to pressure, the alternative coffee brewing methods that give you an express-like result mainly include similar mechanics.
Espresso in an Aeropress
An Aeropress machine is an affordable alternative to an espresso maker. It uses a piston to push water through the coffee grinds in a similar fashion to an espresso machine. Making espresso in an Aeropress results in a rich, strong-flavored coffee that'll give you the kick you're after.
For Aeropress espresso, you'll need the following
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Aeropress
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Fine coffee grinds
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Hot water (approximately 200°F/93°C)
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Tablespoon
Aeropress espresso steps
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Put a filter in the AeroPress top and rinse it out using hot water.
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Assemble the AeroPress and place it over your coffee mug.
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Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of fine coffee grounds to the AeroPress.
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Pour hot water up to the "1" mark on the AeroPress.
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Stir the coffee and water for around 10 seconds.
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Insert the plunger and slowly push down until all the water has been pushed through the coffee grounds.
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Enjoy your espresso-like coffee!
Espresso in a moka pot
A moka pot, or stovetop espresso maker, is designed to brew coffee similar to espresso. A moka pot also relies on pressure to push steam through finely ground coffee for a full-bodied flavor. The result is a creamy espresso-like beverage. And since moka pot produces more coffee, you can enjoy more than one shot!
What you need to make espresso in a moka pot
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Moka pot
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Fine coffee grounds (espresso grind)
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Water
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Stovetop
Steps to make espresso on a stovetop
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Fill the chamber of the Moka pot with water up to the safety valve.
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Fill the filter with coffee grounds and level it off without packing it down.
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Put together the Moka pot and place it on the stove over medium heat.
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Heat until you hear a hissing and gurgling sound, indicating the coffee is brewing.
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Take the Moka pot off the heat once the top chamber is full of coffee.
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Pour and enjoy!
Espresso coffee in a French press
The French press method allows the coffee grounds to fully immerse and steep in hot water, extracting rich flavors similar to espresso. The French press's fine mesh helps filter the grounds, producing a smooth and strong coffee. You'll get rich, creamy flavors using a French press to make espresso, but less potent.
To make espresso in a French press, use the following:
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French press
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Fine coffee grinds
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Hot water (approximately 200°F/93°C)
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Tablespoon
How to make French press espresso
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Preheat your French press by rinsing it with hot water, then discard it.
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Add 2 tablespoons of fine coffee grounds per 1 cup of hot water to the French press.
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Pour hot water over the grounds and mix.
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Let it steep for about 4 minutes. For a stronger brew, you can extend the steeping time to 5-6 minutes.
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Press the plunger down slowly and steadily.
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Pour and enjoy your robust and espresso-like coffee!
Espresso using a milk frother
This is a way-out method that uses a milk frother to create a concentrated coffee brew. If you don't have any other coffee brewing tools, this might be the solution!
What you'll need to make espresso with a milk frother
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Handheld milk frother
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Fine coffee grounds (espresso grind)
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Hot water (around 200°F or 93°C)
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Coffee scoop or tablespoon
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Tall mug or glass
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Fine mesh strainer or coffee filter
Steps to make espresso without a machine
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Add 2 tablespoons of fine coffee grounds to a tall mug or glass.
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Pour a small amount of hot water over the grounds (just enough to cover them).
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Use the milk frother to mix the coffee and water vigorously for about 30 seconds.
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Let it sit for 30 seconds to let the grounds settle.
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Pour the coffee mixture through a mesh strainer or coffee filter into another mug to remove the grounds.
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Add more hot water to the filtered coffee to reach your desired strength.
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Enjoy your coffee!
Espresso in a portable espresso machine
Full-size espresso makers can be expensive, so brewing espresso in a portable espresso machine is a more affordable and convenient way to enjoy espresso at home and on the go. Here's what you need:
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Freshly ground coffee (espresso grind)
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Hot water (around 200°F or 93°C)
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Coffee scoop or tablespoon
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Tamper
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Cup
Steps to Make Espresso Using a Portable Espresso Machine
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Disassemble your portable espresso machine.
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Fill the basket with finely ground coffee, level, and tamp the grounds gently.
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Fill the water tank with hot water.
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Put the machine back together, securing the water tank and coffee basket.
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Place your cup under the spout and pump the machine to extract the espresso.
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Once done, pour the espresso into your cup and enjoy your freshly made espresso!
Frequently asked questions about making espresso without the machine
Can you make espresso in a French press?
Yes, you can make a robust and espresso-like coffee using a French press. While it won't have the same crema and pressure-extracted qualities as authentic espresso, it can still be delicious and decadent. Make sure to use a fine coffee grind and let the brew percolate for longer (6-8 minutes) to ensure a stronger taste.
How do you make espresso on the stove?
To make espresso on the stove with a moka pot, fill the bottom chamber with water up to the valve, add finely ground coffee to the filter basket, and reassemble the pot. Place it on medium heat until you hear a hissing sound, then remove it from the heat once the top chamber is full. Drink!
What is the easiest way to make espresso at home?
The easiest way to make espresso at home is to use an espresso machine, but if you don't have one, a moka pot is a great alternative.
