Ristretto is a short espresso with a softer and more intense taste! This coffee specialty is an absolute pleasure.
Do you like a good espresso? Then you will definitely be drawn to it Closely! This delicious short espresso draws faster, giving it a smoother, richer flavor than the standard. It’s a great way to mix up the classic when you’re looking for something different or want to slightly change the flavor of your Starbucks espresso drink. What is the exact difference between ristretto and espresso? Here’s what you need to know and how to make a ristretto shot at home!
What is the ristretto?
Ristretto is a short espresso that brews in less time than the standard shot (meaning “restricted” in Italian). It uses the same amount of coffee but brews in 15-20 seconds instead of 25-30 seconds. This shorter extraction time makes the taste of the ristretto smoother and more intense than the normal shot of espresso.
You can order ristretto at your local coffee shop or even Starbucks! You can request a shot of ristretto to replace the espresso in any of the Starbucks espresso drinks like latte, macchiato, americano, iced latte, etc.
Long shot against ristretto
What is the opposite of ristretto? A long shot, right long! Italian for “long”, lungo uses the same amount of espresso as a regular shot, but brews in 35-40 seconds. The longer extraction gives it a slightly less intense but more bitter taste.
Which is the better of the two? In our opinion, the Closely is king! Its sweet and rich taste beats the bitter lungo every day. (But that’s just us.)
Make it at home with an espresso machine
Do you like the intense flavor of a shot of ristretto? You can do this at home, but you will need special equipment. In fact, there really is no way to make ristretto coffee without an espresso machine. Here’s what you need to know:
- You need an excellent tabletop espresso machine. This is the Breville espresso machine we use: it works like a charm and makes the best espresso we’ve had outside of Italy. This type of machine is similar to what you would see at a barista: it stands on the counter and grinds the coffee. Many espresso machines also have a steam nozzle: it produces the best frothed milk for latte macchiato and cappuccino.
- Advantages and disadvantages : Countertop espresso machines are expensive, starting at around $300 to several thousand dollars. But if you’re a purist, it’s worth it for the great quality! This really is the only way to make a ristretto in the comfort of your own home.
- Accesories: Make sure you have a knock box to use with your espresso machine. It is useful for tamping and disposing of used coffee grounds.
The coffee to be used: espresso roast
Start with a roasted espresso coffee for a ristretto: Roasting is important to get the right dark, bitter taste in an espresso. Some espresso coffee brands that we recommend are Illy, Starbucks or Intelligentsia.
How to take a ristretto shot
Do you have your espresso machine and coffee beans? Let’s make a ristretto! Here’s what to do:
- To grind coffee: Use roast espresso coffee, about 9 grams for a single shot of ristretto and 18 grams for a double shot. Grind the coffee until it is very finely ground. Different roasts and types of beans require different grind settings for your machine. You may need to do some testing to set it up properly.
- Tamp and tamp the coffee grounds: Place the coffee grounds in the espresso basket (portafilter) until they protrude slightly. Use the tamper to push the powder evenly into the portafilter and press very firmly until fully compressed. Place the portafilter on a folded towel before tamping, or the best tool is a tamping box for tamping and discarding used coffee grounds. It’s important that the coffee grounds are as even and straight as possible to get the best shot of the ristretto.
- Drag the shot: Place the portafilter in the espresso machine and press the button to fire the shot Manual mode. Make sure it lasts 15 to 20 secondsyielding 1½ ounces of coffee for a double ristretto with a caramel-colored crema (compared to 25 to 30 seconds for a double standard espresso).
And that’s it! Enjoy your deliciously rich and aromatic shot of ristretto. Let us know how you did in the comments below!
More espresso drinks
Do you want to prepare all espresso drinks? In our barista series we show you how to prepare coffee. Try these coffee drinks:
The description
Ristretto is a short espresso with a softer and more intense taste! This coffee specialty is an absolute pleasure.
- To grind coffee: Grind the coffee until it is very finely ground. Different roasts and types of beans require different grind settings for your machine. You may need to do some testing to set it up properly.
- Tamp and tamp the coffee grounds: Place the coffee grounds in the espresso basket (portafilter) until they protrude slightly. Use the tamper to push the powder evenly into the portafilter and press very firmly until fully compressed. It’s helpful to have something to press against so you don’t damage the meter or filter. Before pounding, place the portafilter on a folded towel, or preferably on the edge of a knock box (you can also use this to dispose of used grounds). For the best espresso, it is important that the coffee grounds are as even and straight as possible.
- Drag the shot: Place the portafilter in the espresso machine and press the button to fire the shot Manual mode. This is the most important part of a ristretto shot. Make sure it takes 15-20 seconds, which equates to 1½ ounces of coffee for a double ristretto with caramel-colored crema (compared to 25-30 seconds for a double standard espresso).
- Consider possible adjustments: It takes time to refine the coffee grinding and tamping process. Don’t worry if it’s not quite right the first time! If you find the shot is runny, use a little more coffee grounds or use a finer grind for the coffee.
- Category: drink
- Method: espresso
- Kitchen: Coffee
- Diet: vegan
