21 Bold Espresso Drink Recipes to Put Some Serious Pep in Your Step (2024)

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By Starla Gatson

Last updated: October 18, 2022

Can’t get enough of espresso’s bold flavor? Or perhaps you find yourself reaching for the rich joe when you need a particularly strong pick-me-up. Whatever your reason may be, you know it’s true: there’s nothing quite like a good shot of espresso.

If you love the stuff as much as we do, you’re in luck! We’ve got some delightful and delicious espresso-based coffee recipes for you to try. Grab your favorite finely ground espresso beans and fire up your trusty espresso machine — you’ve got brewing to do.

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Effortless Iced Espresso

Who says you can only enjoy rich and dark espresso served hot? Certainly not us! Our iced espresso recipe is a fast and easy way to cool off while getting a kick of caffeine. Give it a try; we’re sure you’ll be hooked!

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Whipped Espresso

Remember the part of 2020 when we were all making cup after cup of Dalgona coffee? You couldn’t dare forget to post a picture of the aesthetically-pleasing brew on Instagram, either! It’s time to bring the beverage back to your morning coffee routine...only this time, use a shot of espresso!

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Espresso Martini co*cktail

Sometimes, the evening calls for a boozy coffee co*cktail, and the classic espresso martini is always happy to oblige. This recipe blends Kahlua, vodka, simple syrup, and espresso, of course, into the perfect after-dinner treat.

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Bone Dry Cappuccino

If you’re a budding barista who prides themselves on being up-to-date with all of the coffee world’s trends, tricks, and lingo, you should know how to make a bone dry cappuccino. It’s easy to do; all you need is a decent cappuccino maker (or espresso machine and milk frother) and our recipe, and you’ll be crafting this cappuccino variation in no time.

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Affogato

Photo Credit:itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com

A great dessert doesn’t have to be complicated, and the Italian affogato is proof! This little espresso and ice cream treat only takes a couple of minutes to whip up — perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in a pinch.

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Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso

Photo Credit:milkandpop.com

There’s just one problem with Starbucks Coffee’s brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso drink: it’s so addictive! That means you’ll likely find yourself spending way more money on coffee than you’d like. You don’t have to quit your shaken espressos cold turkey, though; just use Milk and Pop’s recipe to make it at home!

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Dirty Iced Chai Latte

Something beautiful happens when chai tea and a shot of espresso come together. Not convinced? Try our dirty iced chai latte recipe; you’ll see just how good this pairing can be. It’s so creamy and delicious that both coffee and tea lovers alike won’t be able to resist!

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Caramel Cappuccino

One of the cappuccino’s most appealing characteristics is its customizability. Three simple ingredients — espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam — leave plenty of room for an at-home brewing pro to include their favorite add-ins...like caramel! Our caramel cappuccino recipe is perfect for those looking to add a little something extra to the classic Italian coffee drink.

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Classic Cuban Coffee

Whether you have Cuban roots or just want to dive into the country’s coffee culture, you’ll enjoy the rich flavor of good old cafecito, or Cuban coffee. Our recipe outlines every step of Cuban coffee brewing, so if you want something that tastes authentic, you’ll definitely want to check it out.

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Smooth Caramel Macchiato

The fancy-sounding name of this drink — macchiato — may have you convinced that you have to be a pro barista to make one yourself, but check out our recipe, and you’ll see that whipping up a good caramel macchiato in your kitchen is easier than you thought. All you need is strong espresso, steamed milk, and sweet caramel, and soon enough, you’ll be making top-notch macchiatos.

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Signature Gingerbread Latte

Move over, peppermint; another iconic Christmas coffee flavor is on its way! Meet the gingerbread latte. This combination of espresso, maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, and a milk of your choice create a cup full of cheer. This warm drink is a perfect companion on any cool December morning.

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Skinny Cinnamon Oat Milk Latte

The more health-conscious coffee drinker will appreciate this skinny cinnamon oat milk latte recipe. But don’t worry; though all of the ingredients used are low or free of fat and sugar, the drink is still full of flavor!

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Simple Peppermint Mocha

Picture this: you’re curled up on the couch in front of a roaring fireplace, a warm mug filled with something delicious in your hand. What’s in your cup? A peppermint mocha, of course! Let the flavors of peppermint, chocolate, and strong coffee warm you from the inside out, and use our recipe to do it.

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Sweetened Spanish Latte

Spain is a country that takes its coffee seriously, and luckily for you, you don’t have to plan a trip to Madrid or Barcelona to enjoy it. With a shot of espresso and condensed milk or sugar, you can enjoy a sweet Spanish latte whenever you want — no traveling required.

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Vanilla Soy Latte

Searching for more non-dairy coffee drinks to try? Then, take a look at our vanilla soy latte recipe! This dairy-free beverage is high in protein and classic vanilla flavor, and it’s good ‘til the last drop!

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Easiest Iced Cappuccino

The cappuccino is arguably one of the most popular coffee drinks, but because it’s traditionally served hot, it’s usually not the best beverage to have in your hand on a sweltering summer day. That doesn’t mean you’ve got to sip something else, though. Just enjoy the cappuccino over ice, and use this recipe to do it!

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Simple Iced Latte

Getting yourself going early in the morning is hard enough. Why make things even more difficult with a complicated coffee routine? Keep things simple with our two-ingredient iced latte recipe. Milk brings out all the flavors of your favorite espresso beans nicely, creating a pick-me-up you’ll look forward to sipping every morning.

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Cortado

Not a fan of foam? Then, the cortado just might be the perfect coffee drink for you. This little beverage is made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, creating a creamy and delicious union of flavors.

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Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

The toasted white chocolate mocha is a well-loved piece of Starbucks Coffee’s winter menu, and with the flavors of rich espresso and sweet white chocolate, it’s easy to understand why. But you don’t have to make a trip to one of the popular franchise locations to enjoy one of these drinks; just use our recipe to make it at home!

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Golden Turmeric Latte

Photo Credit:loseweightbyeating.com

The turmeric latte is one of the latest trends to sweep across the coffee industry. With its nice earthy flavor and impressive health benefits, it’s no wonder so many have fallen in love with this golden-hued drink. All you need is almond milk, honey, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and strong coffee to make it at home!

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Low-Calorie Peppermint Mocha

Photo Credit:loseweightbyeating.com

We love a good coffeehouse peppermint mocha as much as the next person, but when you down as many of them as we do, the calories start to add up. Don’t give up the seasonal drink cold turkey, though; just make your own healthier version at home.

From day to night you have a variety of espresso drinks to give a whirl! Happy caffeinating!

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21 Bold Espresso Drink Recipes to Put Some Serious Pep in Your Step (2024)

FAQs

What is a strong espresso drink? ›

Ristretto is the most concentrated type of espresso drink, making it the strongest. This type of espresso is made with less hot water than what is normally used and has a shorter extraction time. This specific process creates a sweet and strong flavor that is so intense, some customers prefer to add milk.

What is the hardest espresso drink to make? ›

Many baristas consider the Ristretto to be the most difficult drink to get right. As Espresso is a science (and it takes some rigor to do it right, but it can be done by anyone with some patience and measuring tools); the Ristretto is more of an art. The Ristretto is not at all forgiving of anything done wrong.

What drinks can you make with an espresso shot? ›

WHAT ARE ADDITIONAL ESPRESSO DRINKS I CAN MAKE? Other espresso drinks you might want to try include a Warm Winter Espresso co*cktail, a doppio, ristretto, lungo, créme, noisette, cortado, breve, affogato and flat white.

What to add to an espresso? ›

Heavy cream and half & half: Cream has been added to espresso for centuries. Not only does a drop of fat add texture to your shot, it also helps keep your espresso warm. Next time you are out, ask for a café breve (espresso with heavy cream) or espresso con panna (espresso with a dollop of whipped cream).

What is more intense than espresso? ›

Ristrettos, as mentioned, have a sweeter, more intense flavor than a long shot or a standard espresso shot. They'll also be more acidic and aromatic, fruity almost, velvety in texture, and slightly bitter, if at all. The long shot can be mellower, but still finely layered with flavors from the coffee beans.

Is there anything stronger than espresso? ›

Ristretto is a stronger and sweeter coffee drink than espresso: The first part of any extraction is the most concentrated, leading to a different balance of tastes and aromas. It contains fewer chemical compounds overall than longer extraction: This leads to a different balance of tastes and aromas.

How do you make super strong espresso? ›

All you have to do is add more grounds to the water ratio than you normally would and leave it to soak for longer. It's pretty simple really. The stronger the coffee bean and the more the coffee beans you use the stronger your coffee will be.

What is 2 shots of espresso with milk called? ›

Café Latte - This drink is reimagined and tweaked endlessly, but the basic recipe is a double shot of espresso in a heated cup combined with steamed milk and garnished with froth. The typical ratio for steamed milk to espresso is around 2-to-1.

What liquor pairs best with espresso? ›

The burnt, sweet yet woody rum flavour is a match made in heaven for the smooth, smoky taste of coffee. Try your favorite rum with an espresso and a hint of whipped cream and you will have one of the best drinks of your life. You can also add a rum-based chocolate liqueur to add some sweet edge to the tipple.

What do Italians drink with espresso? ›

Italians love to add grappa, brandy, Sambuca, Irish cream, rum or anisette to their coffee, but feel free to order it with a liqueur or spirit at your leisure. Caffè corretto is just perfect for those who want to end a meal with coffee, without giving up the taste of a good digestive.

What drink has 3 shots of espresso? ›

Red Eye. A cup of American style drip coffee with a shot of espresso added. Also called a Shot in the Dark or an Eye Opener. Variations of the Red Eye include the Black Eye, made with two shots of espresso, and the Dead Eye, made with three shots of espresso.

How do you make an amazing espresso at home? ›

Castillo advises timing your shots to get the best brew ratio (the ratio of ground coffee to hot water). “Typically with espresso we use a 1:2 brew ratio, because espresso inherently is a very concentrated drink,” he said. To achieve that ratio, he recommends a shot time between 24 and 30 seconds.

What flavor goes best with espresso? ›

What Flavours Go Well With Coffee?
  • Caramel.
  • Chocolate.
  • Cinnamon.
  • Coconut.
  • Almond.
  • Pumpkin Spice.
  • Chai.
  • Berries and other fruits.

How to make espresso taste better? ›

How To Improve Your Espresso At Home
  1. If you haven't recently made a coffee, purge the grinder of 1 dose worth of coffee and discard it. ...
  2. Tamp straight - take a look at your coffee after you've tamped it. ...
  3. Use filtered water. ...
  4. Only ever use the double basket. ...
  5. Use gram scales to weigh your dose and shots.

Is 2 shots of espresso strong? ›

According to coffeechemistry.com, one liquid ounce of espresso can have anywhere between 30 and 50mg of caffeine. That means that a double shot will likely have anywhere between 60 and 100mg. Well, that's about it for the simple explanation. And honestly, that going to be enough for most people.

What kind of espresso has the most caffeine? ›

The larger, slower extractions of espresso called lungos will have a higher caffeine level than ristrettos (smaller, faster extractions of espresso). Similarly, if you brew your coffee with more ground beans per cup of water, there will be more caffeine in the brew.

Is espresso stronger than coffee? ›

Espresso typically has 63 mg of caffeine in 1 ounce (the amount in one shot), according to Department of Agriculture nutrition data. Regular coffee, by contrast, has 12 to 16 mg of caffeine in every ounce, on average.

Is espresso really stronger than coffee? ›

Espresso has more caffeine per ounce than coffee, but coffee has more caffeine per typical serving. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition data,1 oz. of espresso usually contains 63 mg. of caffeine vs 12 mg.

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