How to Make an Espresso with a Keurig: A Beginner’s Guide

Fact:

To make espressos, you need an espresso machine that forces heated water under intense pressure through finely-ground coffee.

It would typically be topped with a caramel-colored foam called crema.

But you see:

Your Keurig is not an espresso machine and cannot brew a traditional espresso.

But:

You can undoubtedly emulate an espresso shot with your Keurig in 3 rudimentary steps.

Preparation

Preparation Time:	3 minutes
Preparation Difficulty:	1/10
Serving Size:	1 cup ( 4 Oz)
Best Served:	Hot

Ingredients and Equipment

Ingredients	Equipment
One espresso roast K-Cup pod Recommended: Community Coffee Dark & Bold Espresso Roast K-Cup Pod	Any Keurig coffee maker Recommended: Keurig K-Cafe Single Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker

Step-by-Step Preparation Procedure

Get this:

You don’t need much for this recipe. So, once your espresso roast K-Cup is ready, check that the water reservoir is sufficiently filled.

Then:

Power on your Keurig, wait for the water to heat up, and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Place a Cup on the Drip Tray

First:

Place a cup on the drip tray to collect the coffee.

The thing is:

You’d think using an espresso cup for this purpose would be ideal, but the fact is, it wouldn’t be comfortable with a Keurig.

Reason?

The Keurig is a drip machine, so the coffee shot might splash and spill onto your countertop if the cup is too small.

It’s a simple recipe; you don’t want to complicate it by making a mess.

To that end:

We suggest you use a larger cup to collect the coffee and transfer it into an espresso cup once the brew is complete.

Step 2: Insert the Espresso Roast K-Cup into Your Keurig

Next:

Insert the espresso roast K-Cup into the K-Cup holder and pull down the lever to latch it.

Pay attention to this:

The K-Cup you use to approximate an espresso shot matters for more accuracy concerning taste, aroma, and caffeine content.

So you see:

The baseline is that you ensure to use an espresso roast K-Cup pod.

What’re more, darker and stronger blends would brew a more delicious replica of an espresso shot.

To support this:

An IOP Conference study confirmed that consumers prefer dark-roasted espresso coffee.

The study asserts that dark-roasted espresso blends produce a range of flavors that produce a more enriching espresso shot.

Step 3: Select the “SHOT“ button

Finally:

Select the “SHOT“ button and click on the bold, illuminated “K“ button at the center to begin the brew.

This will brew a concentrated shot of about 2 ounces, slightly more than the traditional espresso shot.

Now:

If your Keurig doesn’t have the “SHOT“ button, brew the smallest cup size possible while using the “STRONG“ setting to intensify the taste.

This brew typically yields 4 ounces, which is not nearly as concentrated as an authentic espresso shot but still does the trick.

It’s as simple as that!

You have just replicated an espresso shot from your kitchen with your Keurig coffee maker.

Distinguish Your Nutty Espresso with CoffeeHolli’s Pro Tips & Tricks

• If you want a bolder, sharper, and richer flavor closest to an authentic espresso shot, try using a dark roasted espresso blend.
• What you decide to do with your espresso shot relies on your preference and creativity. Pour in some frothed milk to make a creamy cappuccino or a smooth latte.
• Customize your espresso-based beverage with a variety of sweeteners and toppings, such as a drizzle of caramel or a dash of cinnamon.
• Generally, chocolate is known to pair well with coffee as their flavors complement each other. Simply add some chocolate sauce, cocoa powder, or Nutella to your espresso to accentuate the dominant coffee flavor.
• Because espresso can be a tad bitter, acid neutralizers are a functional addition to your beverage. A pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon is all you need to minimize the bitter base notes in your espresso shot.

Frequently Asked Questions