As a coffee drinker, you know that nothing beats a good shot of espresso. The rich, bold flavor of espresso is the perfect pick-me-up to start your day or to enjoy as an afternoon treat.
Espresso is also the base of most popular coffee drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos or iced coffee drinks.
However, not everyone has access to an espresso machine or the time to make espresso the traditional way. Luckily, you can still enjoy a delicious shot of espresso at home with just a few simple ingredients, including instant coffee, without the use of a machine.
In this article, I’ll show you how to make shots of espresso with instant coffee, step-by-step. I’ll cover everything from the ingredients you’ll need to the techniques you should use to get the perfect Instant shot every time.
How to Make Espresso Without a Machine Using Instant Espresso
If you don’t have an espresso machine at home, instant espresso is your best pick. It’s available everywhere instant coffee is sold and it is ready in less than a minute. Not to mention, it’s a great way to make your favorite coffee drinks at home without the need for expensive gear.
Two things you need to know to make a good shot of instant espresso:
- The ratio of coffee to water
- The kind of coffee you need to use.
Instant Espresso Shot Ratio
| Espresso Shots | Instant Espresso (teaspoons) | Amount of Water |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1.30 oz |
| 2 | 2 | 2.70 oz |
To make a shot of espresso with instant coffee, you’ll need to use a 1:1 ratio of instant coffee to hot water. This means that for one shot of espresso, you’ll need to dissolve one teaspoon of instant espresso in one spoonful of boiling water.
This is the ratio of making an espresso-style shot, which you can use to make a latte, cappuccino, iced coffee by adding milk. Or if you prefer your espresso plain, you can drink it is it.
When using instant espresso, you can also make it as a full cup of coffee (8 oz on average). It doesn’t have to be concentrated as espresso. When using more water, it will be more like a cup of black coffee, but with the strong taste of espresso.
What Kind of Instant Coffee to Use for Espresso
Not all instant coffees are created equal, and some will work better than others for making espresso shots. Look for instant coffee that is labeled as “espresso” or “strong.” Some popular brands of instant espresso include Medaglia D’Oro, Starbucks Via, and Nescafe Espresso.
Instant Coffee vs Instant Espresso
You might be wondering if it would make a difference if you use ‘Instant coffee’ instead of ‘Instant Espresso’ to make your espresso shot.
The short answer is you can use any type of instant coffee to make espresso as long as you use the concentrated ratio in the chart above.
Here’s the main difference between instant coffee and instant espresso:
- Instant espresso is made to taste as strong as real espresso shots. It’s always dark roasted and quite strong in taste. So when you use it, you’ll always get strong, espresso-style coffee.
- Instant coffee, on the other hand, is available in different varieties. Some are mild, others are medium or dark. If you don’t pick the correct one, your instant espresso shot might not turn out strong enough.
So for best results, I recommend that you use instant espresso to get as close to real espresso as possible. If you only have instant coffee at hand, make sure it is a dark blend to get a strong coffee shot.
Is Instant Espresso As Strong As Espresso?
Amount of Caffeine in Espresso vs Instant Espresso
| Type of Espresso | Caffeine Content (mg) |
|---|---|
| Espresso Shot | 58-185 |
| Instant Espresso | 40-108 |
Sources:
While instant coffee can provide a caffeine boost, it’s important to note that it won’t have the same caffeine content as real espresso.
Espresso is made using high-pressure and finely ground coffee beans, even if you use coffee pods, which results in a stronger and more concentrated shot. However, instant coffee can still provide a decent caffeine kick and a similar flavor profile.
Remember that the key to a perfect cup of espresso, even when using instant coffee, is in the preparation process. Make sure to dissolve your instant coffee completely in boiling water. If you’re making the espresso for an iced coffee drink, you can dissolve it in cold water and then add it to your milk of choice. It does take longer to dissolve when using cold water, so make sure to mix thoroughly.
Making espresso shots with instant coffee is a great option for coffee enthusiasts who don’t have access to an espresso machine or want to save money on expensive equipment. With the right instant coffee and preparation, you can still enjoy a delicious and satisfying shot of espresso at home.
