Can you buy espresso shots? A delicious cup of espresso is a great way to start any morning, but every now and again, you feel like you want just a little bit more “oomph” with your coffee.
Whether you have a long day ahead of you in the office or you’re feeling tired from an all-nighter, an extra espresso shot is just what the doctor ordered.
However, is ordering extra espresso shots for your drink a straightforward process?
This post is dedicated to answering this question for you so that you can order additional espresso shots like a seasoned coffee drinker.
Contents
The Espresso Myth
With the rise of so many coffee chains and small independent coffee shops, you’ll find that they all offer their own version of both pure espresso shots and espresso-based drinks.
While the upside is that it’s ridiculously easy to get your hands on a cup of espresso, this has also led to the rise of a common misconception regarding what espresso is.
Here it is: a LOT of people believe that espresso is a small serving of strong and bitter coffee made from dark-roasted beans.
That is simply wrong.
Espresso is actually a traditional method of preparing coffee that’s popular in Europe, particularly in Italy.
Finely ground coffee is packed tightly into a portafilter and pressurized hot water is forced through the ground, resulting in a rich, concentrated, and intense amount of coffee.
Types of Espresso Drinks
If you want to order an espresso in the traditional way, you should be familiar with the terms that are typically used in Europe.
Here are the types of espresso drinks that you can order, and what you will get:
- Ristretto – known as the “short shot”, a ristretto is made by using only the first ¾ – ounce of espresso in an extraction. Purists believe that this is the perfect shot of espresso that holds the most flavor and aroma.
- Single Shot – the most common shot of espresso that you can order, a single shot typically measures around an ounce.
- Lungo – known as the “long shot”, a lungo is an ounce and a half of espresso.
- Double Shot – to create a double shot of espresso, the barista uses twice the amount of coffee in a single extraction. Hence, it is not as simple as putting two single shots of espresso together.
- Espresso Macchiato – traditionally, this is a single shot of espresso topped with a layer of foamed milk.
- Espresso Con Panna – a single shot of espresso topped with whipped cream.
- Café Breve – a single shot of espresso topped with light cream or steamed half and half.
The “Americanized” Espresso Shots
There are three particular espresso drinks that are hugely popular in America but are a far cry from their original versions that you would typically find in Europe.
These are the cappuccino, café latte, and the café americano.
- Cappuccino – when you order a cappuccino anywhere outside of Europe, you’ll typically get a cup of espresso topped with milk and foam. However, the traditional version is merely topped with steamed milk without the foam. The drink is named after the color of Capuchin monk robes.
- Café Latte – an espresso shot topped with steamed milk and foam, this is actually what most people picture when they order a “cappuccino”. While this is another popular drink in America, if you want to drink this while in Europe, you will need to order either “café con Leche” or “café au Lait”.
- Café Americano – a shot of espresso mixed with 6-8 ounces of pure hot water, this type of espresso drink is like a regular cup of brewed coffee. However, you will be sacrificing much of the flavor and intensity of an authentic espresso shot.
The main reason why you get a distinctly different drink in America compared to Europe is based on two things.
First, you will rarely get a coffee drink in America that will only use a single shot of espresso as most coffee shops automatically use at least two shots in their smallest drink sizes. Thus, you already get a drink that’s at least double the regular amount.
Second, most “Americanized” espresso-based drinks are flavored with ingredients such as chocolate and caramel.
These flavorings are not as popular in Europe, as Europeans prefer their coffee to be as simple as possible.
The Proper Way of Drinking Espresso
No matter what kind of espresso drink you order, there’s a proper way to drinking it.
While most people rush when it comes to drinking their coffee, the right way to enjoy an espresso is by slowly sipping it.
Espressos are made to be enjoyed freshly brewed and pipping hot, as letting it cool will lose much of the flavor and aroma of the drink.
Can You Buy Espresso Shots: How Much Espresso Do I Typically Get in an Order?
The easiest way to find out how much espresso you actually get in an order is to ask your barista upfront.
However, for the sake of this article, we shall delve into how much espresso Starbucks puts into their coffee.
For Tall drinks, you’ll get one shot. For Grande and Venti, these orders come with two shots, or double. For Trenta orders, you’ll get a whopping triple or three shots!
Still not enough for you and wondering if you can buy espresso shots to add into your order?
Yes, you can add a fourth shot (called a quad) to your coffee but be warned: adding a fourth shot of espresso to your coffee might result in a quick caffeine crash!
Measuring a “Shot” of Espresso
Have you ever wondered just how much espresso you’re actually getting in a shot? Well, wonder no more, because we have the answer for you!
Traditionally, a single shot of espresso will contain around 1 ounce, or around 30ml. Depending on the blend of beans used, you will get between 30mg to 50mg of caffeine in a shot.
Thus, if you order a double shot of espresso, you’ll get 2 ounces, or around 60ml. The caffeine will measure out to around 60m to 100mg.
As you add more shots of espresso to your drink, you’ll simply need to add roughly the same amount of caffeine per shot.
While this is not an exact measurement, this will give you a rough idea of how much caffeine you’re drinking per cup of coffee.
Everything in Moderation, Especially Espresso
The thing about ordering an espresso, particularly if you order them in their traditional form or in iced versions, is that it’s easy to lose track of how much you’re consuming.
Therefore, people get the jitters quickly when they drink espresso; they just keep on gulping down cup after cup!
So, let’s go back to the original question, “can you buy espresso shots?”
Yes, you can buy them if you need that extra caffeine jolt in the morning, but you should always keep in mind how much you’re drinking through the day to avoid a caffeine overdose.