How to Make Espresso with an Aeropress: The Simplest Recipe

This guide contains a recipe on how to make a drink that tastes a lot like espresso with an Aeropress, commonly known as an Aeropress espresso.
By
Samanta Fryer
Samanta Fryer
Writer
Samanta Fryer is our senior editor and content writer, at CoffeeVibe. Apart from writing and reading, she’s fond of the coffee brewing process and enjoys tasting new coffe read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Ryan Hendricks
Ryan Hendricks
Expert
Ryan Hendricks is our tester, who puts products through their paces. He used to be a barista and is now a full-time coffee enthusiast. He’s always testing out new gadgets, read more
Last updated: August 09, 2023
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Espresso is quite popular, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s like taking shots, but instead of getting drunk, you get the much-needed energy boost. This drink was invented in Italy over a century ago and its brewing process, which is also referred to as espresso, allows you to capture the full texture, taste, and aroma of your coffee beans. Espresso machines are unfortunately relatively expensive, and if you only take an average of 2 shots daily, they aren’t a worthwhile investment.

The good news is that if you have an Aeropress, you can easily make this specialty drink or at least a cup of coffee that tastes almost the same. This drink is often referred to as an Aeropress espresso. We have compiled a simple recipe on how to make it, so keep reading this essential guide to find out more!

How to Make Coffee Using Aeropress

According to an article by Forbes Trusted Source Here’s Some Good News About The Coffee You’re Drinking During The Coronavirus Lockdown And Your Health We could all use some good news right about now, and many of us love coffee, so let’s jump into some good news about drinking coffee (at least potential good news). www.forbes.com , coffee has been linked to several health benefits such as sharper memory, low risk of blood pressure, and a longer lifespan. If you’re still not sure how espresso differs from other types of coffee, well, it’s highly concentrated and contains the wholesome flavor of the coffee. It requires specialized equipment and can be complicated to make. Espressos are often referred to as coffee shots, and each cup often contains 7 grams of coffee for 1 oz. of beverage.

To make this drink, you have to push several bars of pressure to push extremely hot water through the coffee grounds (they should be finely ground). This then creates a very strong drink that gives you the needed caffeine punch.

Since espresso machines are expensive, most people prefer to buy this drink at their local coffee shops. However, if you own an Aeropress machine, you can make a drink that’s almost similar.

Aeropress coffee maker allows you to make delicious espresso without the bitter taste. It produces an average of 1 to 3 cups of coffee per press and has a microfilter that gets rid of the coffee grit. It is highly durable, compact, and lightweight, so you can use it in your travels. This model also comes with a tote bag for you to pack it in during your outdoor activities such as campaign and backpacking.

If you already own this bad boy and would like to make espresso, here’s a quick recipe for you.

How to Make Espresso with an Aeropress: The Simplest Recipe 1

Aeropress Coffee Recipe

Mary Jankins
To brew espresso, the Aeropress only needs 3 different pieces: a filter cap, plunger, and a brewing chamber. It’s relatively basic and extracts the coffee using a specified amount of pressure. This process is simple, easy, and gives you your shot of espresso in less than 5 minutes.
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Coffee
Servings 2 cups
Calories 2.7 kcal

Equipment

  • A coffee grinder that can make fine grinds
  • A thermometer. The water temperature highly impacts the taste of your coffee, so you can't afford to wing it on this one. Espresso is brewed at an average temperature of 200ºF – 208º F. Keep in mind that the hotter the water is, the less acidic and sweeter your drink will be.
  • Coffee scale. Brewing espresso is a very methodical process, and you need to use the specified measurements.
  • Coffee tamper. Tampering coffee allows you to create a moredense brew, which is exactly what espresso should be. Most espresso tamperscan't fit in an Aeropress as they are too small, but you can improvise by usingspice containers.
  • At least 2 filters.
  • Coffee sifter: while this is optional, it’s very important. It allows you to sift and refine your coffee grounds.

Ingredients
  

  • 0.4 oz espresso coffee beans (It's important that you buy these types of coffeebeans as opposed to regular ones, as this can make or break your espresso.Buying pre-ground beans is not recommended)
  • 7 oz water

Instructions
 

  • Before you get started, it's important to note that this method will only get you like9 0% of the way. Traditionally, an espresso requires 9 pressure bars, and it's impossible to replicate that amount of pressure manually. So, you'll only be making an almost espresso.
  • Grind your coffee into an ultra-fine consistency that’s almost floury. Be very careful because if you grind it too fine, it will block your coffee maker, and you'll have a hard time getting the coffee through. On the other hand, if the coffee grids are too coarse, you'll underextract them. Before you get it right, you may have to test out various grindsizes.
    How to Make Espresso with an Aeropress: The Simplest Recipe 3
  • Add the grounds to your Aeropress. Set up your coffee maker, place a filter into the cap, and pour some hot water into it. You should then screw on the bottom cap of the chamber and add your coffee grounds.
    How to Make Espresso with an Aeropress: The Simplest Recipe 5
  • Tamper the grounds. Put the second filter at the top of your Aeropress and use your tamper to press on the grounds. Ensure you exert as much pressure as possible.
  • Add hot water. Make sure it’s within the 200ºF – 208ºF for the best results.
    How to Make Espresso with an Aeropress: The Simplest Recipe 7
  • Press your drink. With Aeropress, you don't have to wait for the coffee grinds to steep, so you can start pressing after you add the hot water. Squeeze out every ounce of the concentrated beverage.
    How to Make Espresso with an Aeropress: The Simplest Recipe 9
  • Enjoy your drink!

Video

Pros and Cons of Aeropress Espresso

Pros

  • Simple process: you don’t need fancy equipment to make an Aeropress espresso. The recipe is simple and straightforward.
  • No electricity is needed: the entire process is manual.
  • Aeropress is lightweight and compact, making them portable.
  • Most Aeropress coffee makers are made from polypropylene Trusted Source Everything You Need To Know About Polypropylene (PP) Plastic Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic “addition polymer” used for consumer products, ropes, automotive parts, and special devices like living hinges. www.creativemechanisms.com and are highly durable.

Cons

  • The coffee doesn’t taste exactly like espresso.
  • The process can be exhausting.

FAQ

Which Type of Filter is Best for Aeropress Espresso?

According to expert reviews, the Replacement Filter Packs for the Aeropress Coffee are the most preferred. They are affordable and have microfilters that prevent the fine coffee grinds from getting into your coffee. These filters come in a 700 count pack, are particle-free, and can be stored in a refrigerator for several days. They’re also biodegradable.

How to Make Espresso with an Aeropress: The Simplest RecipeWhat Other Types of Coffee Can I Make with an Aeropress?

Espresso is used as a base drink for several coffee beverages, including:

  • Latte: you top one shot espresso with foam and steamed milk.
  • Cappuccino: This is one shot of espresso topped with steamed milk.
  • Macchiato: this drink is equal parts steamed milk and equal parts espresso.
  • Americano: espresso added to hot water.
  • Mocha: This drink contains espresso, chocolate, steamed milk, and whipped cream.
  • Red-eye: espresso and regular coffee.

Why Is My Espresso Weak?

There are 2 main reasons why your espresso is weak:

  1. Your coffee grinds were coarse resulting in under extraction. Make sure you only use finely ground coffee.
  2. You don’t press hard enough. You can solve this by tamping your coffee some more.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes we all need a strong shot of espresso to get ready for the day. However, the thought of long lines at the coffee shop can easily dissuade you from getting your favorite drink. The alternative is getting a fancy espresso machine which can be expensive, especially when this is a once-in-a-while indulgence. This is where the Aeropress espresso comes into play. It allows you to brew your favorite drink at the comfort of your home, only takes 5 minutes, and uses an easy process.

References

1.
Here’s Some Good News About The Coffee You’re Drinking During The Coronavirus Lockdown And Your Health
We could all use some good news right about now, and many of us love coffee, so let’s jump into some good news about drinking coffee (at least potential good news).
2.
Everything You Need To Know About Polypropylene (PP) Plastic
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic “addition polymer” used for consumer products, ropes, automotive parts, and special devices like living hinges.
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