The steam wand hissing, pulling that triple shot, and the first thin sip: This is something most of us look forward to every morning. But the real magic is that you don’t have to go to barista school or stand in long queues at your favorite coffee shop. You can make it just as tasty at home.
A quality Italian manual espresso machine gives you the power to redefine every pour: the depth, the complexity. You get to choose the texture, steamed like silk or fog on the river, and the strength that resonates with you. Do you want it as a classic that swirls you around in a hug, or something light and fresh for a killer sunny afternoon?
No matter which way you sway, here are some of the tastiest espresso drinks you can make at home, and it isn’t difficult to get them just right. Give them a try and thank us later.
Classic Caffè Macchiato
It’s true what they say: sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best. A classic macchiato stays in the background and allows the espresso to be the star of the show (well, almost). It still throws in a dash of milk to, you know, rein everything in a little bit, without jumping in on the burnt, full-bodied fun.
Ingredients:
- 1 shot of espresso
- 1-2 tablespoons of milk foam
How to Make It:
- Pull the espresso and pour into a mug
- Steam a splash of milk until you have enough foam to basically cover a large spoon. Use the back of a regular spoon to hold the foam back, then let the milk slip through the spoon and pour on top of the espresso
- Add about a spoonful of milk foam to the top of your espresso and milk. Give it a quick stir
- Serve immediately, because you definitely want everything in there to be warm
Do Your Own Thing:
If you prefer a little more milk with your coffee, you can up that amount and down the espresso shot. Double the amount of espresso and half the amount of milk to get a little less in there. Add a tiny amount of steamed (not too frothy) milk before topping with your foam to get a creamier version.
Creamy Flat White
People love the flat white for good reason: it is where coffee and milk best intermingle, where one meets the other, shakes its hand, buys it a drink. And unlike the latte, it deals less in milk flavor. You get to have a little bit more coffee on its own, sitting high on its throne of boldness.
Ingredients:
- 2 shots espresso
- 5 ounces of whole milk, steamed with microfoam
How to Make It:
- Pull a double shot of espresso
- Steam the milk, but don’t let it turn into overly large frothy bubbles. You want shiny microfoam that resembles a single, glossy wave of latte art let down into the espresso
- Gently marry the two parts by pouring the milk into the espresso at a slow enough pace that the microfoam gently pours forth
- Honor your creation with a saucer
Make It Your Own:
For extra coffee oomph, subtract an ounce of milk from the recipe, or pull the espresso in the form of a ristretto shot. Too strong for your tastes? Just step the milk amount up a bit.
Sweet Vanilla Espresso Latte
Nothing screams the holiday season like a homemade vanilla latte. When you’re in the mood for a warm and cozy drink, but can’t get to the coffee shop to satisfy your craving, this sipper’s got your name written all over it. Milky, warm vanilla, and a huge punch of espresso and you would never guess that it’s a snap to whip up in your own kitchen. The best part? You can easily make it your own.
Ingredients:
- 2 shots of hot espresso
- 8 ounces of steamed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
- Whipped cream, optional
How to Make It:
- Pour your vanilla syrup into the bottom of your cup
- Add your two hot shots of espresso, and give it a quick stir
- Warm your milk and froth it until it’s hot and nice and frothy
- Carefully pour it over the espresso mixture
- Top with whipped cream, if desired
Give it Your Own Spin:
If you like your lattes on the stronger side, you can either add an extra shot of espresso to the mix or use less milk. Or, if you prefer something mild and sweet, add your vanilla syrup nice and slow until it’s to your liking.
Iced Shakerato
Originally from Italy, the shakerato is a cool, refreshing, and downright chic beverage that comes together in a flash. It’s the kind of sipper to enjoy on a hot day and allows you to momentarily transport yourself to sunny, carefree summertime.
Ingredients:
- 2 shots espresso
- Ice cubes
- 1 tsp. simple syrup (optional)
How to Make It:
- Brew two shots of espresso (for a stronger shakerato, opt to brew stronger espresso)
- Fill cocktail shaker with ice to its halfway point
- Pour in shots of espresso. Add in simple syrup if you desire a sweeter drink
- Shake well for 20 seconds
- Strain into a chilled glass and enjoy
Make It Your Own:
The shakerato’s flavor varies in the darkness of the coffee beans you use; the deeper the coffee flavor, the darker the beans. For an earthier shakerato, leave the simple syrup behind, and for an icier, frostier drink, strain shakerato into a glass with more ice.
Mocha Espresso Delight
Chocolate and coffee are a match made in heaven. A freshly made mocha may sound like it is something you should buy at a concession stand. But, in reality, it is a fun one to make, especially if you have the ingredients all available at home. Many do.
Ingredients:
- 2 shots of espresso
- 6 oz of steamed milk
- 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate, grated (optional)
How to Make It:
- Add the chocolate syrup to the cup
- Pour the espresso over the chocolate and gently stir
- Add the steamed milk to the top
- Finish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of grated chocolate
- Stay warm for as long as you can with this one
Personal Variations:
If you like a little more java flavor than chocolate, adjust the ratio of the mocha to 1:3. More of a chocolate-type coffee drink? Feel free to add a small bit more chocolate syrup or 1/2 ounce.
Getting the Best Espresso Every Time
Most of the work has already been done at this point. Regardless of the drink you have chosen so far, it all starts with the espresso. Freshly roasted beans, the right size of grind, and proper tamping of the grounds are all crucial. You’ll be surprised how minor tweaks can change everything about your coffee.
The water temperature is very important as well. If your water is too cold, your coffee will taste sour. If your water is too hot, your espresso will taste more bitter. If you have a machine that allows you to experiment, try a few things.
The milk, however, is where practice comes in. Whole milk will generally provide you with a creamier product. However, oat milk is a current favorite because of its creamy texture to begin with and its natural sweetness.
Your Kitchen, Your Coffee Bar
Making coffee at home is about so much more than trying to do what the coffee shops do. It’s about discovering our own tastes and making something magically delicious in our preferred way: our day-to-day way. Like, taking a robust macchiato with breakfast during the workweek, or spending a dreamy Saturday afternoon with an iced shakerato or mocha, chilled and shared.
You’re not making espresso; you’re creating a drink. You’re calling the shots. Every shot comes out close to, or spot on, what you had in mind. And that’s the whole point!
