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How to Make Espresso at Home! (Without a Fancy Machine)

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Save time, save money, and start enjoying the best espresso you’ve ever tasted when you learn How to Make Espresso at Home without a machine!

Then… be sure to also try this easy recipe for making the best Cold Brew Coffee without using any fancy equipment!

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How to Make Espresso at Home

Did you know it’s actually ridiculously easy to make your own fancy espresso drinks at home?

Today I’ll show you How to Make Espresso at Home without those fancy machines!

Now I’ve always had a strong love affair with espresso. It started in my teen years. Then grew during my college years when I worked a Summer internship at the Starbucks headquarters in Seattle.

That Summer was absolutely delicious. Even though it was unrelated to my job, I was trained in classes for how to make every popular drink on the Starbucks menu.

Um… YUM!

Thanks to complimentary coffee available all day long… I enjoyed copious amounts of coffee during that very energizing Starbucks Summer internship!

However, my deep love for espresso skyrocketed to a whole new level on my trip to Rome, Italy several years ago.

Let’s just say… Italians really know how to make AMAZING coffee!

That’s why I’ve made it a goal to learn as many tips and tricks from my Italian friends to brew the perfect cup of espresso!

Using a Moka Pot to Make Espresso at home

And no… you won’t need to be dishing out $700 for a fancy espresso machine. Instead, you’ll just need a simple Italian-style Moka Pot. You can pick one up for around $30 or less!

So what’s a Moka Pot? Well, it’s basically a little stovetop espresso maker, and trust me – it’s a game changer!!

Once you have a Moka Pot you can experience a taste of Italy right in your own home! Who knew becoming your own barista at home was SO easy?

Plus, if you happen to have a French Press, I’ll even show you how to make amazing foamed milk to add to your espresso drinks!

So what are you waiting for? Are you ready to learn how to make espresso at home?

It’s time to learn how to make the perfect cup of espresso, how to create copycat versions of your favorite coffee shop drinks, and even how to foam milk with your French press!

Let’s get started, shall we?

Here’s what you need to do…

Related: 20 Starbucks Money Saving Hacks!

How Do I Make Espresso Without Equipment?

So can espresso be made without a machine?

It sure can! All you’ll need is a simple Moka Pot to get the job done!

You can even choose between a 1 cup, 3 cup, 6 cup, 9 cup, and 12 cup moka pot, depending on how much espresso you’ll want to brew at one time.

I’ve personally used a 6 cup for years, and it works great for my little family!

If you’re making espresso for 1 and have any leftover, you can always store it in a mason jar in the fridge with a lid. Then you’ll have your little caffeine boost ready to go whenever you need them!

How Do I Make My Own Espresso?

It’s actually so simple!

You’ll just need a few simple things to make your own handcrafted gourmet espresso drinks at home!

  • Moka Pot
  • High Quality Ground Espresso
  • Milk, Chocolate Syrup, Sugar, Vanilla Syrup, or other preferred flavorings
  • Optional: Handheld Milk Frother or French Press to foam milk

Once you have these supplies and ingredients on hand, it’s so easy to become your own barista at home!

What Type of Coffee is Good for Moka Pot?

Quality is the key!

When it comes to making Italian-style espresso drinks at home, the key to greatness is always going to be the coffee. A high quality espresso coffee blend will instantly take your handcrafted espresso drinks to the next level.

My favorite blend to use in the Moka Pot is the Lavazza Espresso Italiano.

I’ve used it for years, and it’s smooth and robust with delicious flavor.

What is the Best Grind for Moka Pot?

If you purchase your espresso whole bean style, you’ll want to grind it using a coffee grinder to a Medium-Fine grind.

Or somewhere between the Espresso Grind and Drip Grind if your grinder offers those settings.

How to Use a Moka Pot for Espresso

So are you ready to become a coffee superstar? It’s really so easy.

Here’s what you’ll do..

1. Remove top from your moka pot.

2. Fill water chamber with HOT water, just up to bottom of safety valve.

3. Add ground espresso to filter basket. (don’t tamp down)

4. Place filter basket over water chamber.

5. Affix lid by screwing it back on.

6. Place on stovetop burner over medium heat.

7. Remove from burner once coffee begins to ‘gurgle’.

8. Stir with a spoon.

9. Pour, relax, and ENJOY every sip!

Sound good right about now? You bet it does!!

Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.

How to Make Espresso with Moka Pot

How to Foam Milk With a French Press

Did you know it’s actually SO easy to foam and froth milk using a French Press?

You’ll start with warm milk. Then do a series of VERY fast pumps. All of sudden you’ve got perfectly frothy milk to use in your handcrafted coffee drinks!

I do it all the time, and it works like a charm!

Here’s what you’ll do…

1. Warm up milk.

2. Pour into French Press.

3. Slowly Pump 6 times. (all the way up and down)

4. Pick up pitcher and gently swirl.

5. Quickly Pump 60 times. (just half way up and back down)

6. Lift up plunger, pick up pitcher and gently swirl again.

7. Quickly Pump 60 more times.

8. Pick up pitcher and gently swirl again.

9. Remove plunger from French Press.

10. Slowly Pour into drink, allowing milk under foam to pour out first.

11. Stir silky smooth milk into your drink.

12. Scoop out dollops of foamy milk from pitcher to top it off!

How to Make Espresso At Home

Get ready to start make amazing espresso at home.

Not only will you save a trip, but you’ll also start enjoying your favorite drink for a fraction of the price of those big… and small coffee houses!

1. Brew espresso in moka pot.

2. Pour into espresso mug.

3. Stir in a little sugar and/or splash of milk.

How to Make a Cappuccino at Home

Got a Cappuccino craving? Then you need to give this easy Cappuccino recipe a try.

Making this Cappuccino recipe at home is life changing!

1. Brew espresso in moka pot.

2. Pour espresso into mug.

3. Add same amount of steamed warm milk. (hold back foam with spoon)

4. Top with same amount of foam using a spoon.

5. Think in thirds… 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, 1/3 foam.

How to Make a Latte at Home

Lattes are similar to a cappuccinos.

The only difference is you’ll add more milk and less foam. Also, the espresso is stirred in with the milk.

Here’s what you’ll do…

1. Brew espresso in moka pot.

2. Pour espresso in mug.

3. Stir in a little sugar or 1 1/2 tbsp. Vanilla Syrup if desired.

4. Pour in steamed warm milk. (hold back foam with spoon)

5. Stir.

6. Top with a little foam and ENJOY!

How to Make a Mocha at Home

The Mocha was the coffee beverages that made me originally fall in love with coffee while I was still in high school.

To make your own dreamy mocha at home, start by grabbing out your moka pot and your favorite espresso.

Then, follow these easy step-by-step instructions:

1. Brew espresso in moka pot.

2. Pour espresso into mug.

3. Stir in 2 1/2 tbsp. Chocolate Syrup.

4. Pour in steamed warm milk. (hold back foam with spoon)

5. Stir.

6. Top with a little foam and optional whip cream.

Now the only thing left to do is to sit back, relax, and enjoy sip after sip of this delightful drink!

Chocolate Syrup for Mochas

How to Make Espresso at Home Reviews

What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About These Tips for How to Make Espresso at Home Without a Machine…

One reader writes: “This is a genius recipe, I love your blog, full of new ideas”

Juan writes: “Yummy yummy”

Lisa writes: “So much more budget friendly”

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How to Make Espresso at Home

Save time, save money, and start enjoying the best espresso you've ever tasted… when you learn How to Make Espresso at Home!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 5 tbsp Ground Espresso (for 6 cup moka pot)
  • 1 1/4 cups 2% Milk
  • 2 1/2 tbsp Chocolate Syrup (optional) – Use if making a Mocha
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Vanilla Syrup (optional) – Use if making a Vanilla Latte

Instructions

  • Fill the bottom water chamber with HOT water… just to right underneath the safety valve.
  • Add ground espresso to your filter basket until it's full, and level off with your finger. Do NOT tamp down.
  • Gently drop your filter basket down right over the water chamber where it will rest. Then screw on the top chamber with spout until it's sealed tightly.
  • Immediately place moka pot on stove and heat over Medium heat. Then… just wait patiently for a gurgling noise. (This can take up to 10 – 20 minutes, depending on the size of your pot, the temperature of your water, the heat of your stove, etc. If burner was preheated, this will go a lot faster.)
  • As the espresso is brewing in your moka pot, use your time to warm up your milk on the stove or in the microwave to 150 – 160 degrees fahrenheit.
  • For gourmet style drinks, you can froth your warm milk with a hand-held milk frother, or see notes for How to Foam Milk with a French Press!
  • When you hear a gurgling noise from your Moka Pot, lift the lid to make sure the moka pot has filled up all the way. If it has, immediately remove it from the heat.
  • Pour your espresso evenly into two separate mugs, then prepare your drinks to your liking.
  • Espresso: Simply drink your brewed coffee as is, or stir in a little sugar and/or a splash of milk.
  • Cappuccino: Add brewed espresso to mug, then add same amount of Steamed Warm Milk… holding back the foam with a spoon. Top with the same amount of foam, using a spoon. Cappuccinos are evenly distrubted and layered drinks, so think: 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, 1/3 foam.
  • Latte: Add brewed Espresso to mug, stir in a little Sugar or 1 1/2 tbsp. Vanilla Syrup if desired, then pour in Steamed Warm Milk… holding back the foam with a spoon. Give it a stir, then top with just a little bit of foam using a spoon. (Similar to a cappuccino, but more milk and less foam… and the espresso is stirred in with the milk.)
  • Mocha: Add brewed Espresso to mug, stir in 2 1/2 tbsp. Chocolate Syrup, then pour in Steamed Warm Milk… holding back the foam with a spoon. Give it a good stir, then top with foam using a spoon, and optional whip cream.

Notes

HOW TO FOAM MILK WITH A FRENCH PRESS:
  1. Pour warm milk into your French Press, and place the lid with plunger onto the press.  
  2. To foam your milk, you’ll want to work quickly.  The entire process of pumping and swirling that follows should only take about 1 minute.
  3. Start with 6 slow pumps all the way down and all the way back up with the plunger.
  4. Then pick up pitcher and gently swirl the milk inside.
  5. Place pitcher down, then do 60 really fast pumps up and down just half of the height of the pitcher (about where the milk would be inside). Each up and down motion should be VERY fast.
  6. After 60 pumps, slowly lift the plunger all the way up while keeping the lid on, then pick the pitcher up again and gently swirl the milk inside.
  7. Place pitcher down, and continue with 60 more fast pumps, pick it up and swirl, remove the plunger from the French Press, and you’ve got foamed milk!
  8. When pouring milk into your drink, begin by pouring very slowly… this will allow the silky smooth milk at the bottom underneath the foam to pour out first. You can use a spoon to hold back the foam in the pitcher, when pouring out the silky milk from underneath the foam.
  9. Stir the silky smooth milk into your drink, then using a spoon, scoop some dollops of foamy milk from the pitcher into your drink to top it off! How easy was that?!? Gourmet coffee done in no time!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
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If you’ve always wanted to visit Italy, or are dreaming of returning, here’s how to have an amazing Italian getaway… on a budget!  

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Comments

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  5. Her Digital Coffee says

    That’s so cool how you had an internship at the Starbucks headquarters in Seattle! I’d love to look into getting a Moka pot. I was using a French press but it recently just broke, so this is perfect. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • Heidi says

      I loved my Starbucks internship… it was so much fun! That’s so sad about your french press, but you will LOVE a Moka pot… they’re so easy to use, so inexpensive, and the espresso tastes AMAZING!

      Reply

  6. CoCo says

    How cool that you interned at the Starbucks headquarters, Heidi – that is so cool! I love cappuccinos, lattes, and espressos but never made them at home because we didn’t have the equipment so I’m super excited about this post. I can’t wait to try your technique and recipe. It all looks so good! Hugs, CoCo

    Reply

    • Heidi says

      Thanks so much, CoCo! I absolutely loved interning at the Starbucks headquarters… it was the most delicious Summer I’ve ever had! 🙂 I’m so glad you liked the tips, too… this is definitely the most affordable way to make those gourmet drinks we all love!

      Reply

    • Heidi says

      You’re so kind, Stefano… grazie! And your breakfast sounds delicious. Now I’m craving a cappuccino and cornetto, too! 🙂

      Reply

  8. Judee says

    I needed this! Many of my friends have machines ( I do not) and when they visit me, they want cappuccino! Now I’ll know how to make it. thanks

    Reply

    • Heidi says

      Oh that’s perfect timing, Judee! It really is so inexpensive to make when using a moka pot. Now you can surprise your friends with some fancy drinks!

      Reply

  9. Lisa's Notebook says

    We bought one of these pots after we’d been to Italy several years ago! My husband loves espresso but unfortunately coffee gives me headaches. I’ll have to dig our pot out again for him this Christmas, thank you, Heidi 🙂

    Reply

    • Heidi says

      Oh that’s so fun that you picked one up in Italy, Lisa! You’ll definitely have to dig it out and surprise your husband with a fun Christmas drink!

      Reply

  14. Sister_Su - Canadian Senior Savings says

    What great detailed post! Thank you all the hard work you put into this. I really appreciate how you simplified what seems to most of us to be mission impossible.
    People will certainly be able to save a lot of money by using your directions to make specialty coffee drinks at home!

    Reply

    • Heidi says

      You’re very welcome… I’m so glad you liked the tips! Knowing how to make your own gourmet coffee drinks really does save so much money!

      Reply

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