Have you ever wondered how to cope with a morning when you can’t get your coffee? A lot could go wrong—your espresso machine might not be working, it could be raining, or think about the COVID pandemic when the world came to a complete pause. But if you’re a true coffee connoisseur, skipping your morning coffee is not an option. You need that shot of espresso (or two) to kick-start your day.
Have you prepared yourself for the day when your coffee isn’t readily available? Maybe not, but we’ve thought about it for you. While making true espresso requires high pressure, you can still achieve a close dupe using a French press, AeroPress, Moka pot, or ground coffee. So, let’s dive into how you can create an espresso-like drink without a fancy espresso machine.
What Is An Espresso?
Espresso is a way of making coffee using pressure. An espresso machine pushes hot water through finely ground coffee beans to brew it. It makes a thick and strong coffee that is more concentrated than coffee made in other ways. Espresso has a rich, bold taste and a creamy layer on top called crema, which makes it even more enjoyable.
Most espresso machines use pressure to pull out all the flavors from the coffee in just 25–30 seconds. You need about 18 grams of freshly roasted coffee beans to make espresso. First, grind the beans finely, press them down, and then brew. The machine forces water through the coffee using high pressure, which helps produce more flavors quickly and in a small amount of liquid.
1. French Press Method
As you know, the French Press is a perfectly suitable method of brewing coffee. It is easy to use and convenient, and it gives a certain flavor profile that others can not. The French Press, done properly, produces an interesting flavor profile. It brings out more of the oils and other elements that would never come out with a non-immersion method. Since it’s a great method of brewing coffee easily at home, you can make espresso-strength coffee with a French press.
Ingredients
- Finely ground coffee bean (14g)
- Hot water (120ml)
- French Press
- Strainer
Direction
- Start with 14 grams of medium-ground dark-roasted coffee. Place the coffee beans in the canister of a French press, though it seems a lot is needed for that strong espresso flavor.
- 2. Boil the water in a kettle. Let it sit for 40 seconds or a minute so that it reaches the right temperature. You don’t need boiling water when you pour it over the coffee grounds.
- Add half of the boiling water to the coffee grounds to open up the flavor. Then, put the lid back on and let the coffee bloom for a minute.
- Add the rest of the water to the French Press and stir it up with a whisk or spoon. Wait for your coffee to brew for a maximum of 4 minutes.
- After 4 minutes, push the plunger down slowly and evenly. Pour your strong espresso-like coffee into a cup and enjoy.
2. Aeropress Method
Aeropress can brew surprisingly strong coffee that tastes good once you’ve figured out how to get the most out of it. With this incredible brewing equipment, you can make something you desire most. Although you can’t get the necessary pressure and concentration for espresso, it might work for you, as you can’t expect it to taste exactly like the cafe.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 18g of finely ground coffee bean
- Hot water (120ml)
- An Aeropress
- Spoon
- Paper filter (If needed)
Direction
1. Start by boiling your brewing water in a kettle or on a stove. Although the coffee brewing temperature is between 205℉, you can experiment with your water temperature anywhere between 185℉ and 205℉.
2. Grind the coffee bean in a medium-fine consistency to get the espresso-like flavor.
It’s important to preheat your brewing device, put the filter paper in the Aeropress, and dampen the paper filter with hot water to remove any papery taste in your brew.
3. Screw the basket onto the chamber of the Aeropress and place it over your mug. Put the finely ground dark-roasted coffee into the chamber of the Aeropress.
4. Now, add the hot water over the coffee grounds in the chamber and let it bloom for a minute. We were saturating the coffee to give it a little swirl.
5. At this point, add the remaining water and take your plunger. Remember to generate pressure here as hard as you can.
Voila! There, you have delicious espresso without a machine.
3. Moka Pot
One of the reasons the moka pot is such a popular brewing device for brewing coffee is because it’s super flexible; you can make all sorts of different types of coffee. However, can you mimic an espresso? Just working to create a recipe that mimics espresso. Of course, you cannot make an espresso with a ton of pressure, but you can get close. You can get a nice crema on top. It’s a great coffee and probably tastes the closest to espresso. So, I will show you how to get delicious coffee today. One of the most important things about making coffee is using good coffee beans. You want the good stuff to make the good stuff. You can grind them yourself to make your coffee taste a lot better.
Ingredient
- 18g of finely ground coffee
- Water (120ml)
- Moka Pot
- Cup
Direction
- Start by filling the bottom chamber of your moka pot with boiling water just below the valve.
- Fill the funnel with finely ground dark-roasted coffee beans and level off the top. Now, firmly screw the top part of the moka pot onto the bottom chamber.
- Place the moka pot on your stove and set the flame. If you use an electric stovetop, make sure to use a small circle; otherwise, it could make the handle too hot.
- Now, wait until the coffee starts percolating into the top part of your moka pot. When it’s about one-third full, close the lid, remove it from heat, and allow it to sit until you hear a hissing sound or the coffee stops coming out of your moka pot.
- Give the coffee a little stir and pour it into your favorite cup.