How to Make Espresso in a Drip Machine
If you’re a lover of espresso but don’t want to break the bank by purchasing an expensive machine to make it at home, don’t worry. It’s still very possible to enjoy delicious espresso shots using an affordable coffee machine you might already have in your kitchen: a drip coffee maker, like the classic Mr. Coffee Makers.
In this article, we’re going to explore making espresso in a coffee maker and hopefully answer any questions you may have about the process. So, if you’re interested, read on!
How Close to Espresso Will the Outcome Be?
It can be difficult to make espresso in a drip coffee machine; however, it’s not impossible. In order for espresso to be made, your brew needs to be concentrated.
For this outcome, pressure is needed to force water through fine grounds. Drip coffee makers offer lower water pressure than expensive espresso machines, and they also do not create the crema that an espresso machine does. For these reasons, the brew you end up with won’t necessarily be authentic espresso, but it will be close and still wonderfully tasty!
Tip: Some drip makers offer a “concentrate” brew setting. If you make espresso and drip coffee often, it might be worth looking into some models that offer this function.
Espresso Using a Drip Machine: The Steps
When you’re brewing espresso in a coffee maker, there are some steps you should follow. Below, we’ve listed these for you:
Step 1: Pour and Tamp Coffee Grounds
Add one hefty tablespoon of coffee grounded fine to medium-fine into your coffee filter. For optimal taste, grind the beans right before this step. To assist with pressure during the brewing process, press down upon the grounds. This mimics the action of tamping and will ultimately help the process.
Step 2: Add Water
Pour about two ounces of warm water into the water reservoir.
Step 3: Brew!
At this point, you’re ready to press the “Brew” button and let your machine do its thing. If you have the option of turning on a “Concentrate Brew” function, do so. And when it’s done, enjoy.
Modifications for the Perfect Brew
Here are a few ways to modify and improve your brew when attempting to make high-quality espresso in a drip coffee appliance:
Adjust Water Amount
First, you’ll want to aim for utilizing less water than you’d normally use. Ideally, your proportion should be about two ounces of filtered water per tablespoon of ground coffee. This will produce the bolder flavors, common in espresso.
If this doesn’t produce quite what you wanted, feel free to experiment and alter the ratios until your java is perfect to your liking.
Pay Attention to the Grind
When making delicious espresso with your drip coffee appliance, it’s important to pay attention to the grind of the beans. On the one hand, you don’t want the grind too coarse because this will allow the water to get through the grounds far too quickly and ultimately produce a weak brew.
On the other hand, if your grind is too fine, the brew will take too long and come out bitter. Ideally, you’ll want to stick to a medium-fine grind when using your drip machine.
Keep an Eye on the Water Temp
To reach the correct temperature in the brewing process, it’s best to use water that’s already warmed up. This is due to the fact that normal drip machines don’t always reach the right temps for espresso brewing. The warm water will assist with that.
Use Bold Coffee Blends
If you’re on the hunt for the bold and robust flavors of authentic espresso, we encourage you to try out a bold java blend. For example, blends that work great include dark roasts, such as French or Italian. However, you may use any roast of coffee you prefer.
Can You Make Espresso Using a Coffee Maker?
Experimenting with making espresso can be a fun process and give you the opportunity to try different flavors. If you don’t have access to an espresso machine, your drip coffee maker will do just fine. Happy brewing!
