Can You Make Espresso With A French Press?
star

Make Espresso With A French Press? I Don't Believe It!

how-to-make-espresso-in-a-french-press

Yes! You can.

French press has become one of the most popular methods of brewing coffee in the United States. If you’re a coffee lover or addict, chances are you have one in your kitchen and even used it this morning. Espresso, while not the most popular brew method, is gaining momentum in the US. Most can be turned off by the amount of money you’ll find yourself spending on a top quality espresso machine. Believe it or not you don’t need an espresso machine to make espresso. There are actually a good amount of viable alternatives. Here are just a couple of those methods:

The last method that may surprise you is a French press! That’s right, you can make espresso with a French press. Here’s how:


1. Grind Your Beans

Remember – for espresso you’re looking for a very fine ground, as you don’t want water to be able to penetrate your coffee grounds very easily. French press brewing, on the other hand, requires a much coarser grind so be sure to adjust your grinder to a very fine grind setting.

2. Heat Your French Press With Warm Water

When making espresso with an espresso machine, it’s always advisable to have your Portafilter in the machine while it’s heating up. Temperature and thermal stability is essential to making quality espresso. With a French press, you’ll want to fill it up with warm water for a few minutes to pre-heat it. This is vital to creating warm, full-bodied espresso. 

3. Heat Your Water 

By using a teakettle, heat your water as if you were making tea. 195 degrees is about where you want your water to be.

4. Insert Your Coffee Grounds Into Your Pre-heated French Press 

Amount – because the grind is much finer, you’re going to have to double the amount of coffee you’d usually put in for French press.

2 to 1 ratio (2 tablespoons of coffee for every 1 cup of water used). 

Follow that formula and you’ll be golden –pun intended.

5. Add A Small Amount of Water

Normally at this point you’d fill your French press up half way to start brewing. With espresso, you’ll only want to add a touch of water to get your coffee “blooming.” During this process, coffee is releasing all it’s natural oils resulting in a more flavorful cup.

Should you just fill it up right away, you’ll still get espresso, it just wont taste as good as it could. Don’t rush the brewing process. It takes time but in the end, it’ll be well worth it! 

6. Once The Coffee Is Blooming, Add The Rest Of Your Water


7. Stir 


8. Add French Press Lid – DO NOT PRESS DOWN YET

Allow the coffee to brew and steep for a few minutes. If you’d like it to be stronger, give it more time and vice-versa. Placing the lid ensures heat doesn’t escape your French press during brewing. This, once again, is essential to creating quality espresso. 

9. Press Down Slowly

Enjoy your delicious espresso you just made with a french press!

Related Article: Here's how long it should take you to make french press at home

clara french press
Espresso in a french pressFrench press espressoHow to make espresso in a french press

Related Stories

View all
breville stainless steel espresso machine

Why You Should Think Twice Before Buying a Coffee Maker with an Attached Grinder

The Coffee Guy
Should I Buy a Coffee Maker With An Attached Grinder? Coffee aficionados understand the importance of freshly ground beans in crafting the perfect...
espresso machine dripping water

Why Your Tap Water Might Be the Secret to Perfect Coffee

The Coffee Guy
The Impact of Water Quality on Coffee Brewing When we discuss the art of coffee brewing, we often spotlight the beans, the roast, and even the met...
frappuccino caffeine count

Here's how much caffeine is in a Starbucks Frappuccino

The Coffee Guy
Do Starbucks Frappuccinos Have Caffeine? In today's fast-paced world, the thirst for both refreshing beverages and a caffeine kick is real. Enter S...
iced coffee vs iced americano

Iced Americano vs. Iced Coffee: What's the Difference?

The Coffee Guy
Iced Americano vs. Iced Coffee ; Which should I choose? Whether you're a coffee aficionado or simply enjoy a refreshing cup of joe, you've likely e...
rocket espresso machine buyers guide

Why Rocket Espresso Machines Are Worth the Investment for Coffee Lovers

The Coffee Guy
Rocket Espresso Machines: Elevate Your Home Barista Skills to the Next Level Rocket Espresso machines are highly regarded among home baristas for...
choosing a prosumer espresso machine

How to choose a prosumer espresso machine in 2023

The Coffee Guy
Choosing the prosumer espresso machine that's right for you With so many prosumer espresso machines now on the market, it can be incredibly hard t...
mocha vs latte whats the difference

Creamy or Chocolatey: Deciding Between Latte and Mocha

The Coffee Guy
Latte or Mocha: Which Coffee Drink is Right for You? Please feel free to use this graphic however if you do, please link back to www.cliffandpebbl...
how much caffeine is in a monster

Monster Energy Drink vs. Coffee: Which Has More Caffeine?

The Coffee Guy
How Much Caffeine is in a Can of Monster Energy Drink Compared to Your Favorite Coffee? Energy drinks are popular beverages that are typical...
lelit bianca v3 white

Why do high-end espresso machines take so long to heat up?

The Coffee Guy
Brewing Patience: Exploring the Reasons Why Prosumer Espresso Machines are Slow to Heat Up For coffee enthusiasts who want to enjoy a high-quality ...