GENERALLY—and probably best—enjoyed straight up, espresso is a full-flavored, concentrated form of coffee served in shots. As opposed to brewed coffee, one cup of espresso is made up of seven grams of finely ground coffee beans through which pressurized hot water is forced through. The process should take no longer than 25 seconds.
Espressos also have “crema”—that froth on top, an emulsion of the coffee’s oils. It acts as a lid to keep that alluring aroma in and its presence marks the quality of the beans used and the skill of the barista. The espresso should be drunk before the crema dissipates.
In honor of National Espresso Day—and because not everyone loves plain espresso—here’s a list of espresso-based concoctions worth trying.
Espresso + Lemonade
Said to be of Scandinavian origin, this beverage bursts with flavors: A bit tart, a bit bitter and with the right hints of caramel. Just add a few ounces of espresso over ice and top it with simple lemonade.
Espresso + Cream Soda
Another refreshing drink is this fun combo of espresso and cream soda. Grab a tall glass, fill it with ice, pour two shots of espresso and fill the glass with cream soda almost to the brim. Finish it off with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of sea salt.
Horchata Latte
The rice-based horchata hails from Mexico and is typically made with rice milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar. Warm up the horchata, add a shot or two of espresso and some coconut milk (plain milk will do too) and cinnamon. Served iced or hot, this latte tastes like cookie in liquid form.
Pistachio-rose Latte
This drink is silkier and creamier than the usual latte. Its thick texture will have one thinking it’s too rich but it’s actually not. The base is a pistachio butter blended with rose water and honey syrup. It is then topped with steamed milk and espresso.
Blanco y Negro
Cold brew, espresso granita and vanilla ice cream—if this combo sounds out-of-this-world, wait till tasting it. One might think that breaking the granita is the fun part but it’s only second to making sure the cup does not overflow and that one gets all three elements in one sip (or spoonful).