If you’re an espresso fan, you may wonder if it’s possible to make espresso using a single-serve coffee maker. The answer is yes! While it won’t provide the same authentic results as a commercial espresso machine, you can still get a decent cup of modified espresso using a single-serve coffee maker. Best of all, learning how to make it will allow you to craft your favorite brews in the comfort of your own home. This is how to make espresso with a single-serve coffee maker and what you should know before giving it a try.
What You Need
The good news is that making espresso with a single-serve coffee maker doesn’t require any fancy equipment or special ingredients. All you need is ground espresso beans, your single-serve coffee maker, and a frothing device. To create the perfect cup of espresso, use freshly ground beans for optimal flavor. You may also want to invest in an adjustable scoop so that you can measure out the exact quantity of grounds needed for your cup size. With these items, you’re ready to start brewing.
How It Works
Once you have the necessary supplies, making espresso is straightforward. First, preheat your machine by running it without any grounds. Keurig products will preheat on their own when you turn them on. Simply press the button and wait until the screen indicates that you’re ready to brew. Once preheated, add your desired grounds into the filter basket and close the lid firmly. You can also use a K-cup with the ideal amount of coffee measured out for you.
Place your mug beneath the spout, select the strong setting, and press start—your machine will begin brewing your highly concentrated coffee immediately. For an extra creamy finish, use a frother or steamer wand to top off your drink before serving.
Tips & Tricks
Making espresso with a single-serve machine requires some finesse and experimentation—it may even take multiple tries to get it just right. Here are some tips for success:
Use freshly ground beans for optimal flavor
Adjust water temperature when possible
Experiment with different grind sizes
Adjust time for short or long shots
Clean the machine after each use
Making espresso at home can be tricky, but with practice and experimentation, it’s possible! At 11th Street Coffee, we make this process even easier by providing a diverse selection of dark roast K-cups for you to try. These products already have the necessary quantity of grounds, cutting out the tedious measuring and subsequent mess. We also have a diverse array of flavors, allowing you to mix things up whenever you’d like.
