You’ve seen many pictures on social media of specially-made coffees receiving thousands of likes simply because they look good. The type of coffee you are most likely looking at is espressos, which not only look good but taste good too. In their most traditional form, espressos are concentrated shots of finely ground coffee beans that result in a flavorful coffee that has a strong, rich, and foamy taste. Espressos are also versatile and can be served in many forms. These types of coffees are not only popular on different social media platforms but also among everyday coffee lovers. If you’re new to the hot coffee scene, we’ve answered common questions and put together a list of the most popular espressos, so you can complete your customer’s morning with their favorite cup of joe.
Is Drinking Espresso Bad For You?
The short answer: no! As long as you only drink one to two cups of coffee per day, espresso can actually lower the chances of developing specific cancers, liver disease, reduce the risk of heart attacks, and a host of other benefits. Just make sure you don’t use too much cream or sugar, as the healthiest type of coffee is black coffee.
Which Drink Has The Most Espresso?
Ristretto is the most concentrated type of espresso drink, making it the strongest. This type of espresso is made with less hot water than what is normally used and has a shorter extraction time. This specific process creates a sweet and strong flavor that is so intense, some customers prefer to add milk.
How To Drink Espresso
Once you’ve ordered or made your preferred espresso drink, make sure to drink it as quickly as you can. You don’t want to wait until the crema has dissipated because the crema is what keeps all the aromas locked in and enhances your drinking experience. Do not drink espresso that does not have crema because this means that you are receiving your drink late.
Types Of Espresso Drinks
Doppio
Meaning “double” in Italian, a doppio is the same as a regular espresso except it’s just double the size. Instead of 8 grams of ground coffee, 16 grams are used to make 2 ounces of espresso. However, in the United States, customers typically say they would like a “double shot of espresso” rather than “doppio”.
Caffé Latte
Also known as Café Au Lait, this type of espresso drink is made with one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk topped off with a thick layer of foam. Professional baristas can make beautiful images with foam that is commonly known as latte art.
Espresso Macchiato
The espresso macchiato is made up of 2 thirds of espresso and 1 third of milk. The milk is only meant to complement the espresso and not overwhelm it. It can be ordered as a single or double shot.
Red Eye / Black Eye / Dead Eye
A red-eye is a single shot of espresso that is added to your regular brewed coffee. Your coffee can be dripped, iced, or hot - it’s up to you! The shot of espresso is meant to give your coffee an extra boost to keep your customers alert or awake for a “red-eye” flight or any other endeavor. Coffee with two shots of espresso is called a black eye and three shots is called a dead eye.
Americano
This type of coffee is made up of 2 thirds of hot water and 1 third of espresso. Typically, crema is added on the surface, and altogether, this type of coffee drink allows the aromas to be more expressive and give a hint to the espresso’s flavors. Milk or milk substitutes can be added to enhance the taste.
Ristretto
As mentioned above, ristretto is the strongest of all espresso drinks. Meaning “restricted” in Italian, it is made with half the water used for a regular espresso and the extraction process lasts up to 15 seconds which usually lasts up to 30 seconds. Due to this process, it is thicker, sweeter, and has less caffeine and regular espresso.
Cappuccino
Similar but smaller than a caffe latte, the cappuccino is one-third milk, one-third espresso, and one-third foam. Customers tend to prefer this type of espresso because of its ability to be customized. The ratio of ingredients always stays the same but customers might request different spices, syrups, or creams to be added.
Mocha
Commonly known as “mocha”, the full name of this espresso is the “mocha latte” or “coffee mocha”. It is made the exact way as a latte except it has chocolate. The type of chocolate depends on the shop or barista. Some prefer chocolate syrup while others favor powder.
Espresso Martini
One of the newest types of espresso, this cold-coffee drink has gained popularity over the years as a way to combine a morning drink with an alcoholic beverage. Despite being called a martini, it does not contain vermouth or gin, although it is served in a martini glass. This coffee drink consists of a shot of espresso, coffee liqueur, vodka, syrup, and garnished with coffee beans. Customers prefer to drink it in the evening to acquire a shot of energy for an eventful night.
