Last Updated on November 15, 2022 by Timothy Byron Smith
Originated in Italy, the espresso holds a bitter and bold taste as it’s packed with caffeine. Today, it’s not only a staple beverage throughout Italy but around the world. However, those who are new to coffee consumption don’t know the proper way to drink an espresso shot. We have provided you with a guide for how to drink espresso like a pro.
Espresso, often mispronounced, is a very popular beverage in the modern world. But do we ever stop and think who could be the mastermind behind this elite drink? As surprising as it may sound, espresso hasn’t been around nearly as long as the coffee has. It was first made in the early 20th century.
Before you learn how to drink an espresso, you should get to know the very basics of this divine beverage. First things first, learn to pronounce it right. Although the word espresso sounds quite similar to the word express, there isn’t any sound of x as we pronounce it.
To pronounce it correctly, say it as es-press-o.
We’ve gathered for you ways to enjoy espresso shots like the indigenous Italians.
How to Drink Espresso Like an Italian (The Right Way)
The dark-toned drink, bitter-tasting and toasty, with its distinct floating froth is a divine beverage and it’s only justice to learn the right way to drink it. The Italians take their espresso very seriously and have a certain way of having shots.
We have taken the liberty to walk you through the right way of taking your espresso so you enjoy them just like the Italians do. And if you’re just starting out with espresso, you can find a lot of useful content on our blog.
1. Preheat Your Espresso Cup
Like the Italians, you need to treat your espresso shot like a holy drink and just like other holy relics, the espresso needs a divine temple. Here we’re talking about your espresso cup, which is famously known as Demitasse. This small white china cup needs to be preheated before you pour your shot.
It can be easily done if you run your cup under hot tap water, moments before pouring your espresso.
2. Sip Your Fizzy Water
When we called the espresso a holy drink, we weren’t joking and this step just proves it. If you haven’t had the chance to have an espresso in Italy you wouldn’t know that the barista serves it with some water.
You are supposed to sip water and cleanse your taste buds of all other flavors just so that you can solely indulge in the rich taste of the espresso.
3. Skim Away the Crema & Swirl
We are sure this step will leave you baffled. The distinct crema (the froth) of the espresso which most of us strive to form when making an espresso at home, is supposed to be scooped out. As paradoxical as it may sound, it’s true.
If you’re going to drink this right, you will have to scoop out the crema and stir the espresso before you can start sipping.
4. Finally, Take a Sip & Relish
This is the moment you have all been waiting for! It’s about time you lift the ceramic cup and take a whiff before your first sip. This will allow you to enjoy this magnificent beverage with all your senses.
Remember to explore the texture and flavor of the shot once you take your sip. Allow the richness and goodness of the espresso to reach your soul.
What You Should Know About Espresso
By now you know that espresso was originated in Italy, which later on became the world capital of coffee as well. But did you know it was by a man who only wanted to make coffee under steam pressure (without those fancy super-automatic espresso machines)? The high pressure and the short time at which the coffee was brewed, gave a shot of espresso as it extracted strong flavors from the ground coffee.
Tips for Drinking Espresso
If you’ve always had the usual coffee and you’re inquisitive to try an espresso, we’ve got all the tips you need.
Remember the espresso is not your usual coffee: it’s bitter! If you’re ordering an espresso for the first time and don’t know how much caffeine is in an espresso, you can ask the barista to medium roast the beans instead of dark roast them.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the espresso is usually ready in five minutes and is served as a 30 ml shot. If the barista takes longer to serve or serves anything more or less, you’d know something is wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you supposed to drink Espresso like a shot?
An espresso machine brews the fine ground coffee with hot water at very high pressure and thus releases a small quantity of the espresso. This shot of espresso can be drunk directly but not necessarily so, as it can be transferred to a demitasse and sipped.
Can you drink straight Espresso?
Yes, you can. You can drink espresso straight if you transfer the drink to a small ceramic cup and take it one sip at a time.
What is the best way to enjoy Espresso?
To experience espresso’s flavor at its fullest, it’s best to drink the beverage according to the Italian tradition. You may also try the variants of espresso, such as ristretto, doppio, mocha, and blonde espresso, to bring new tastes to your palate.
Final Thoughts
We have pulled together all the ways to enjoy espresso like an Italian pro. From using the right cup to enjoying the aroma, we’ve covered everything on how to drink an espresso. So the next time you ask the barista for an espresso shot, you are bold and confident.