Learning how to drink espresso is about more than just consuming a strong coffee. Drinking espresso is a sensory experience, best approached with an appreciation for its concentrated flavor and traditional serving style. This guide will walk you through everything from the basics of what espresso is to the step-by-step process of enjoying it properly.
We will cover the equipment, the tasting technique, and the common customs. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your approach, you will find clear instructions here.
By the end, you will feel confident ordering and savoring a true espresso.
How To Drink Espresso
This section provides the core steps for drinking espresso correctly. Following this method will help you appreciate its full flavor profile, from the first aromatic scent to the last sip.
Step 1: Order Your Espresso Correctly
Start by ordering a single “shot” of espresso. A standard serving is about 1 ounce (30 milliliters) of liquid. You can order a “doppio” for a double shot if you prefer. Specify if you want it served with a glass of water and a spoon, which is traditional.
This water is for cleansing your palate before the coffee. The spoon can be used to stir the espresso, which we will discuss later.
Step 2: Observe The Crema
When your espresso arrives, take a moment to look at it. A well-made espresso will have a thick, creamy layer on top called the “crema.” It should be a rich, hazelnut color with tiny reddish-brown flecks.
The crema holds much of the coffee’s aroma and volatile oils. Its presence indicates a fresh, properly extracted shot. A pale, thin, or quickly disappearing crema can signal issues with the brew.
Step 3: Smell The Aroma
Before tasting, bring the cup to your nose. Inhale the aroma deeply. You might detect notes of chocolate, caramel, nuts, fruit, or even floral hints, depending on the coffee beans.
This step prepares your senses for the taste to come. It is an essential part of the experience that many people skip.
Common Aroma Profiles
- Chocolate and Nuts: Common in Brazilian or Sumatran beans.
- Fruit and Berries: Often found in African coffees from Ethiopia or Kenya.
- Caramel and Toffee: Typical of many Central American origins.
Step 4: Stir The Espresso
Use the provided spoon to give the espresso a quick stir. This simple action integrates the dense, syrupy body at the bottom with the lighter, more acidic top layers and the crema.
Stirring ensures your first sip is a balanced combination of all the flavors, not just the strongest or bitterest part. It creates a uniform temperature and texture throughout the cup.
Step 5: Take Your First Sip
Do not wait for it to cool. Espresso is meant to be consumed quickly after serving. Take a small, deliberate sip. Let the coffee spread across your entire tongue—front, sides, and back.
Your initial impression might be of intense bitterness, but as it coats your mouth, other flavors will emerge. Try to identify them. Is there sweetness? Acidity? A specific flavor note you smelled earlier?
Step 6: Savor The Full Sip
Now, take a larger sip. Swallow it, and pay attention to the aftertaste, known as the “finish.” A high-quality espresso will have a pleasant, lingering finish that may be sweet or clean.
Drink the remainder of the espresso within a minute or two. It is not a drink to linger over for a long time, as it cools and the flavors degrade.
Step 7: Cleanse Your Palate
After finishing the espresso, drink the glass of water. This clears your palate of the intense coffee oils and prepares it for anything else you might consume.
It also ensures you experience the true, clean finish of the espresso itself.
Understanding What Espresso Is
To truly appreciate how to drink espresso, it helps to understand what sets it apart from other coffee. Espresso is not a bean type; it is a brewing method.
The Definition Of Espresso
Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. The result is a small, potent shot with a complex flavor and a creamy foam layer (crema) on top.
Its defining characteristics are its viscosity, concentration, and crema. It forms the base for drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, but is a complete experience on its own.
Espresso Vs. Regular Coffee
The differences are significant. Drip coffee uses gravity to pull water through coarser grounds, resulting in a larger, lighter-bodied drink. Espresso uses pressure, creating a concentrated, almost syrupy beverage.
- Brewing: Pressure vs. gravity.
- Grind: Very fine vs. coarse to medium.
- Brew Time: 25-30 seconds vs. several minutes.
- Serving Size: 1 oz vs. 8 oz or more.
- Flavor: Concentrated and layered vs. more diluted and uniform.
Choosing Your Espresso
Not all espresso is created equal. The choices you make before the cup even arrives will impact your experience.
Bean Origin And Roast
Espresso blends are often crafted from beans from multiple regions to balance body, acidity, and sweetness. A traditional Italian-style blend tends to be a darker roast, offering chocolatey, nutty, or caramel notes with low acidity.
Single-origin espressos, from one farm or region, are also popular. These can highlight unique, often brighter, fruity, or floral flavors. There is no strict rule—drink what you enjoy.
Freshness Matters
Espresso relies on fresh coffee. Beans should be used within weeks of roasting and ground immediately before brewing. Stale coffee will produce a flat, hollow-tasting shot with little crema.
If you are at a specialty cafe, they will prioritize freshness. If brewing at home, buy small amounts of beans from a local roaster.
Espresso Etiquette and Customs
Understanding the traditional customs enhances the ritual and shows respect for the craft.
To Add Sugar Or Not?
In Italy, adding sugar is common, but it is done with purpose. If you choose to add sugar, do so before stirring. A small amount (a half-teaspoon is typical) can balance natural bitterness without masking the coffee’s flavor.
The key is to taste the espresso first. You might find it pleasantly sweet on its own, especially from a high-quality cafe. Never assume it needs sugar.
Drinking At The Bar
In Italian cafes, it is customary to drink your espresso quickly while standing at the bar. This is both a social tradition and a practical one, as espresso is best consumed immediately.
You pay a lower price at the bar than for table service. It is a quick, efficient, and authentic way to enjoy your coffee.
The Water Ritual
The small glass of water served with espresso has two purposes. First, you drink it before the espresso to cleanse your palate. Second, you drink it after to cleanse your palate again.
This ensures each part of the experience is distinct. Some people also take a sip of water between sips of espresso, but this is less common.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing the proper steps. Here are frequent errors that can ruin the experience.
Letting It Sit Too Long
Espresso’s flavors and aromas are volatile. The crema will dissipate, and the coffee will become overly bitter and cold. Drink it within two to three minutes of being served for the best taste.
Drinking It Like A Shot
While it is served in a small cup, you should not throw it back like alcohol. The point is to taste it. Sipping allows your palate to detect the evolving flavors and the pleasant aftertaste.
Confusing It With Americano
An Americano is an espresso diluted with hot water. While delicious, it is a different drink with a different purpose and tasting method. Do not order an espresso and then add a large amount of water; you’ll lose the essential texture and concentration.
Ignoring The Crema
Some people scoop off the crema, thinking it is just bitter foam. This is a mistake. The crema contains essential oils and aromas. Stirring it in integrates these elements and creates a smoother, more balanced cup.
FAQ About Drinking Espresso
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about espresso drinking.
Should You Drink Espresso Before Or After A Meal?
In Italy, espresso is typically consumed after a meal as a digestif. The caffeine can aid digestion. However, it is also common to have one mid-morning as a quick break. Avoid drinking it on a completely empty stomach if you are sensitive to acidity.
Can You Drink Espresso With Milk?
While adding milk creates other wonderful drinks like a macchiato or cortado, a true espresso is served black. The guide on how to drink espresso focuses on appreciating the pure, unadulterated coffee. If you prefer milk, that is fine, but try it straight first to understand its base flavor.
Why Does My Espresso Taste Sour Or Bitter?
Sourness often indicates under-extraction (water passed through too quickly). Bitterness often indicates over-extraction (water passed through too slowly). Both can be caused by an incorrect grind size, dose, or brew time. A well-balanced shot should have a pleasant bitterness complemented by sweetness and acidity.
How Much Caffeine Is In An Espresso Shot?
Contrary to popular belief, a single 1-ounce espresso shot contains about 64 milligrams of caffeine. A standard 8-ounce cup of drip coffee has about 95 milligrams. So, espresso is more concentrated by volume, but you consume less total caffeine per serving unless you have multiple shots.
What Is The Proper Cup For Espresso?
Espresso is traditionally served in a small, thick-walled, pre-warmed cup called a “demitasse.” The thick walls retain heat, and the small volume ensures the crema covers most of the surface area, trapping aromas. A warm cup also prevents the espresso from cooling to quickly.