39 Types Of Espresso – All Espresso Drinks Explained!

There are many different types of espresso, which is the main reason I put great emphasis across this blog on being able to pull a great shot of espresso.

Even our favorite, the humble and amazing latte, you need to know how to make a great espresso to make an outstanding latte.

A single shot, or a double shot, whichever the case may be, forms the base of many coffee drinks.

Keep reading as we get racking on with this article, and get talking about the different types of espresso that you can try out!

What Is An Espresso?

An espresso is an intense, focused and concentrated shot of coffee, typically one ounce (30 ml) serving and forms the base of many other coffee drinks.

It is brewed with a specialist machine known as an espresso machine, which, until the past few years, was only found in local coffee shops. The advent of the home espresso machine has changed this and permits home baristas to make high quality, strong, thick and highly caffeinated shots of espresso from home.

An espresso is usually brewed at 195F to 205F (92C to 96C) and 9 bar (130 PSI) of pressure with dark roasted coffee beans.

An authentic espresso has the same flavors as a regular coffee but magnified. It is acidic, toasty, bitter and slightly sweet and has a thick rich crema on top.

Read: Best beans for espresso

Types Of Espresso Beans

Any coffee bean can be used to make an espresso or be roasted to the required level to produce a high quality shot of espresso. The most common bean used is the Arabica coffee bean with Robusta beans featuring prominently in blends to boost the caffeine content of the espresso blend.

To meet the demand of coffee lovers and espresso enthusiasts, coffee producers have started to release specialty single origin espresso beans.

All Espresso Drinks Explained!

Here goes let’s talk about, list and detail all the types of espresso drinks that you can possibly make with your home espresso machine, starting with…

#1 An Espresso

What else to start with than a simple espresso shot. The simplest of them all to make. To make a single espresso, finely grind 7 to 8 grams of coffee beans to the finest possible grind using your grinder.

(Personally, I love mine strong and use 10 grams!).

For a double espresso, use twice as much, 14 to 16 grams, and serve in a demitasse cup.

#2 Doppio

Already touched on this, a doppio is Italian for double, and yes, a doppio is a double shot of espresso. Usually, a doppio is pulled using a double shot portafilter.

Read: Best coffee to drink black

#3 Lungo

A Lungo, literally an espresso’s bigger brother. Lungo in Italian means long and is actually a weaker, longer espresso. It is brewed with a coffee to water ratio of 1:3 and is served as a double shot, a 2 ounce (60 ml) serving.

Due to the greater water content and weaker coffee to water ratio, it is thinner than an espresso and a ristretto. Usually it is more bitter also.

#4 Ristretto

As I like to call it, a ristretto, an espresso’s stronger little brother as it is a smaller and stronger shot, often made using a slightly finer grind size and slightly less water.

The coffee to water ratio of a ristretto is usually 1:1 whereas an espresso is 1:1.5. An espresso is typically 1 ounce (30 ml) while a ristretto is typically 20 ml or 2/3rd of an ounce.

#5 Espresso Macchiato

An espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso topped with a dash of steamed milk. It is fairly similar to a latte but has significantly less milk. A macchiato has an equal amount of coffee and milk and thus a bolder taste than a latte, which has more milk, the key difference between the two.

When I have a macchiato, it is always a double (technically a doppio macchiato) or a triple espresso. I love larger coffees. When making, ensure that you have equal amounts of espresso as you have milk.

It is one of the better drinks of espresso culture.

#6 Cortado

A favorite amongst Spaniards, and where I first seen it when I moved to Spain some 20+ years ago. There are variations of a cortado around Europe, and it even varies regionally in Spain. Served in a 1:1 ratio of steamed milk and espresso. In Catalunya, particularly Tarragona, you’ll see it made with more espresso than milk.

While in others it is 1 part espresso and 2 parts steamed milk, topped with foam and a light sprinkling of sugar.

Me?

Yes, I love an occasional cortado, as a double espresso and a dash of milk and topped with foam.

#7 Galão

A Galão, a Portuguese favorite is one of the many types of espresso drinks that are similar to a latte. It is thick, creamy and rather enjoyable. It’s an espresso with parts steamed milk. Quickly made in minutes.

#8 Espresso Con Panna

An Espresso Con Panna is an espresso with cream and is a very common espresso beverage in Italy. Simply pull a single shot or double shot of espresso and add whipped cream.

#9 Black Tie

Literally, this should perhaps be spelled as Black Thai. It is a complex espresso drink with a hot Thai tea as its base with a double espresso shot added to it.

It is easy to make, but can be complex to mix and get the flavor right.

#10 Piccolo Latte

Piccolo, in the Italian language, means small and this is exactly what a piccolo latte is, a small latte that is a ristretto style shot of espresso topped with steamed milk and a touch of frothy milk and served in a demitasse cup.

#11 Cappuccino

A cappuccino is probably the most famous and well known coffee with espresso as its base. It’s one third espresso, a third steamed milk and topped with one third milk foam.

A dry cappuccino is a cappuccino made with less milk.

#12 Latte

How could we at Latte Love Brew not mention what is one of the most popular and versatile coffee drinks. It is made more often with a double shot of espresso, twice as much milk and topped with foam. It’s a classic go-to espresso drink for the Starbucks crowd. It is often topped with cocoa powder, cinnamon or brown sugar.

You can and will regularly see many forms of lattes, including mocha latte, latte macchiato. The most popular form of lattes is with some kind of flavor such as the famed seasonal pumpkin spice latte, caramel latte and just about any flavor you can think of.

#13 Caffe Americano

I’m almost wondering if you are surprised that a humble, Caffe Americano is classified as an espresso coffee beverage. It is a shot of espresso with hot water added to it. Typically, a double shot is topped up with the same or a similar amount of water.

A truly great and classy barista will serve the double shot of espresso in a regular coffee cup and serve the client with a fresh small jug of hot water to allow them to add the amount that they like. The flavor of a Caffe Americano is different from a regular black coffee.

#14 Mocha Latte

A mocha latte is often simply known as a mocha, originating in the Yemen city of Mocha. It is simply the best known espresso with chocolate and is a latte with chocolate syrup, by far the best way of making it or with cocoa powder added.

An amazing coffee, kudos points for adding a squirt of caramel syrup and finishing it off with whipped cream.

(This is one I have to make perfectly, it’s my girlfriend’s favorite espresso drink!).

#15 Flat White

Flat whites are a famous espresso drink from down under and popular amongst Aussies and Kiwis wherever they are. I first saw these in Penang, Malaysia, a popular tourist destination for Australians and New Zealanders.

It is a milky espresso drink rather like a cappuccino with a greater coffee to milk ratio and made without the foam.

#16 Black Eye

A black eye is not just something you get after going a few rounds with Mike Tyson, it is the name of a coffee drink that is similar to a caffe Americano, a double shot of espresso added to a hot black coffee. It is so easy to make.

#17 Red Eye

Besides being something you get after a heavy night out, red eye is a strong, highly caffeinated coffee with a very strong coffee flavor, and a good wake-me-up morning coffee. It is the black eye little brother, made with a single shot of espresso added to a strong hot black coffee.

#18 Dripped Eye

Following along with the above two drinks and works excellently well with specialty coffee. Dripped eye is a triple shot of espresso added to a well-brewed, strong, hot black coffee. It is obviously the strongest of the three.

A dripped eye, red eye and black eye make a great cup of coffee when you make both the black coffee and e

#19 Lazy Eye

By far, the weakest of the “eye” drinks. It is adding an espresso double shot to black decaffeinated coffee.

#20 Affogato

Some love a traditional affogato – I don’t! A traditional affogato is a shot of espresso poured over a ball of Vanilla ice cream.

Go one better and make a double shot, sweeten it up and pour over your ball of ice cream. Get creative as technically there are no set rules as to what type of ice cream you can use.

#21 Maroccino

There are obvious various types of espresso drinks, and many you may have not even heard of like a Maroccino. It is made of espresso, cocoa powder and steamed milk foam. Variations are made with chocolate syrup.

Marocchino is one of the more interesting types of espresso drinks.

#22 Raf Coffee

Popular in Eastern Europe and named after a regular client who simply asked the barista to “make him something different” The coffee became, so popular people would ask for “the same coffee as Raf” and shortened to Raf Coffee.

It’s an espresso shot with cream, vanilla and sprinkles of cinnamon and sugar.

#23 Mead Coffee

Meade coffee is a shot of espresso with honey, a dash of water and yeast. It is truly like no other coffee that you have tried or will ever try.

Making this cold is much better as it gives the yeast much better conditions.

#24 Freddo

Easily the most refreshing espresso drink you will ever try. A Freddo is a doppio, a double espresso with sugar syrup to sweeten it up. Put your espresso shots with the syrup sugar into a cocktail shaker, add ice cubes and give it a real good shake.

When you pour, you end up with a very nice, cold, frothy espresso, a Freddo!

No milk is added.

#25 Espresso Laccino

Like the Freddo above, this is a great cold espresso. A double shot served with ice. Let it sit long enough, and it will become an iced caffe Americano.

#26 Vienna Coffee

A traditional Austrian coffee, a double espresso topped up with thick cream, not whipped cream, not frothy milk, just good, thick traditional dairy cream. The thick cream gives this cup of coffee a pleasant sweetness and a texture that you would not normally associate with coffee.

#27 Bicerin

Thicker than Joey Essex, and a variant of the mocha and made with equal parts of espresso, cream and chocolate.

Like the Vienna coffee above, the cream adds a fabulous texture and sweetness and the chocolate, preferably syrup rather than cocoa powder, makes this a very thick latte and a delight for your taste buds.

Try it as a double or, better still, a triple shot of espresso. That’s 3 ounces (90 ml) of espresso, 3 ounces (90 ml) of cream and the same amount of chocolate syrup. It’ll add to the calories but, spoil yourself once in a while – you are worth it!

#28 Espresso Romano

If you ever see a double or single shot of espresso served with a slice of lemon, don’t think of it as a strange request by some weirdo. The lemon slice brings out the citrus flavors of the coffee and balances it excellently well.

Literally genius!

Alcoholic Drinks With Espresso

#29 Coretto

Simply an espresso shot or two with a shot of brandy added, although any alcoholic spirit can be added.

#30 Carajillo

Similar to the above coretto but is usually a caffe Americano, a double espresso with hot water added and a slug of brandy!

#31 Triphasico

A Spanish drink, although I’m willing to be not uniquely so. A latte with an alcoholic liquor added, most commonly Baileys Irish cream. The name Triphasico literally means three phases due to having three items: coffee, milk and liquor.

#32 Irish Coffee

Made well, in a clear glass you will see a band of 3 distinct colors of your double shot of coffee, the Whiskey (double shot) and thick cream. Optional top with whipped cream and sprinkle with chocolate powder.

#33 Espresso Martini

The famous espresso Martini is made with a shot of espresso, a double Martini, a shot of coffee liquor Kahlua and 10ml of sugar syrup. Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake it well, very well are serve in a chilled Martini glass over ice.

More Types Of Espresso Drinks

#34 Magic Coffee

Magic coffee is Melbourne’s best kept coffee secret and seldom found outside the city and few coffee shops sell it.

It’s a double ristretto, topped with steamed milk and a topping of milk froth and served in a 5-ounce cup.

#35 Café Noisette

A simple, rather enjoyable coffee and super easy to make. A double espresso (2 ounces, 60ml) with 1 ounce (30 ml) of steamed milk.

#36 Café Con Hielo

Simply put, this is what Spaniards call coffee with ice. It is simply a double shot of espresso with ice.

 #37 Dirty Espresso

Often just called dirty. A double shot of espresso poured over 5 ounces (150ml) of cold milk. I have no idea where the reference “dirty” comes from. It’s a good clean, but cool espresso.

#38 Café Bonbon

A Spanish Favorite.

A single or double espresso served over condensed milk and mixed to make a thick white coffee.

#39 Café Valenciana

A regional variation of the Café bonbon with the exception the condensed milk is replaced with condensed tiger nut milk, known locally as horchata.

It is certainly an acquired taste.

Frequently Asked Questions About Types Of Espresso

What Are 3 shots Of Espresso Called?

Three shots of espresso is a tripleshot. There is no particular fancy or special name for it.

What Is 2 Shots Of Espresso Called?

 Two shots of espresso have a special name in the coffee world, doppio, Italian for double.

What Type Of Espresso Is Most Popular?

 The most popular type of espresso drink is a latte. A is a single or double shot of espresso with twice as much steamed milk used and a fine layer of microfoam and latte art.

Is Ristretto Stronger Than Espresso?

Yes, a ristretto is bolder, stronger and more intense, than a shot of espresso, both in taste and caffeine per ounce but not total caffeine due to the drink being smaller.

What Is A Poor Man’s Latte?

A poor man’s latte is when a client asks for a shot of espresso with ice and then adds their own milk. It’s also known as a bootleg latte and a ghetto latte.

What Is Lungo Vs Espresso?

A lungo is a long espresso made with 3 times as much hot water than an espresso. It uses more water and has longer extraction time and a higher (weaker) coffee to water ratio than an espresso. It’s some kind of a middle ground between an espresso and a caffe Americano.

Is Lungo A Double Shot?

No, a lung is a single shot of espresso. It is an espresso shot that has been extracted for an extended time.

What Is A Dead Shot Of Espresso?

A dead shot of espresso is a shot that has been left for too long. After pulling a shot of espresso, the oxidation process starts to change the flavor and texture of the shot of espresso.

Frappé-Ing It All Up – Types Of Espresso

That is a grand total of 39 different types of espresso drinks explained. To help keep this list as a complete list of all espresso drinks, shoot me a message on social media and tell us your favorite espresso drink if I have missed it out.

(With or without alcohol).

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location