What Can I Make with a Coffee Machine?

Now you have a coffee machine, or if you’re considering one, you need to know everything that you can make with it to get the most out of it. Obviously, it only makes coffee but there’s a variety of brews at your disposal. We’ll be referring to espresso machines mostly with this as it has a steam lever. A capsule coffee machine generally has a similar outcome every time.

Without further ado, let’s see what you can do with your espresso machine…

Espresso

This might come at a surprise to you, but espresso machines are very good at making espresso. We’ll assume most of you reading know what espresso is, but let’s still have a look at what it is and how to make it.

Espresso is a very full-flavoured brew of coffee that is normally enjoyed in shots. It’s strong, intense and bursting with flavour. You will often wither have it in a single or double shot. The caffeine levels are strong with this one, so if you’re sensitive to caffeine, adding some milk is a good idea.

How Do You Make an Espresso?

Espresso is the easiest brew to make with your espresso machine. You simply fill up the portafilter with your coffee grounds, fasten it to the group head and then there should be a button or two that indicates whether you want a single or double shot. Press the button and there you have it.

Americano

The Americano is the most popular form of coffee. It is made by diluting the espresso with water. It makes it so that you have an actual beverage that you sip at and takes some oomph out of the flavour to make it much more drinkable.

How Do You Make an Americano?

You make a double shot of espresso, and then add boiling water to it. Leave some room for milk or cream as per your taste. Simple brew.

Latte

Another brew you’re probably familiar with. A latte is made by adding espresso to a glass of hot milk. They normally include much more liquid so are often served in tall glasses rather than a mug. They also go very with biscotti.

How Do You Make a Latte?

Heat up some milk with the steam lever on your espresso machine. When it’s nearly ready to serve, froth it up to make sure you get a nice head on it. Pour your hot milk into a glass about two thirds of the way up. Add your double shot of espresso. Then top the rest up with milk. If you get your proportions right, you should be able to get a nice head on your latte. If you prefer your latte without a head this is called a ‘wet latte’.

Cappuccino

A cappuccino is similar to a latte except the milk goes on top of the espresso shot. The milk is steamed into a foam and then served on top of the espresso.

How Do You Make a Cappuccino?

You’ll need to steam some milk into a foam. Heat up the milk with the steam lever as normal. After it has been heated for a short while, you can create a foam by placing your steam lever into your container of milk and have the lever so the tip of it is only just submerged. Keep it in this position until you develop a nice foam. Tap the container against a worktop, being careful not to spill the milk, to get rid of big air bubbles. You should be able to pour this foam by moving the container back and forth as you pour. If not, simply spoon it on. Flavour with chocolate powder or cinnamon or both for the best results.

Macchiato

Coffee chains have somewhat taken the macchiato and ran with it, but the original macchiato is an espresso with a big spoonful of milk foam on top.

How Do You Make a Macchiato?

Froth up a small amount of milk like you would for a cappuccino, make sure it’s very foamy. Get your double shot of espresso and spoon a big dollop of the milk foam onto it. Very different to what coffee chains call macchiatos but that is it in tis original form.

Ristretto

The ristretto is not for the faint-hearted. It is basically an espresso but stronger. Using the same amount of coffee grounds, you use half the amount of water. Or, use the same amount of water and double the coffee grounds. Exchange it for espresso to turbocharge all your brews.

Espresso Martini

Who said that espresso was just for morning bursts? Get espresso involved in your evening dinks with an espresso martini. All you need for this is:

• A shot of espresso
• Coffee liqueur
• Vodka
• Ice

How Do You Make an Espresso Martini?

Mix your liqueur, espresso and vodka in a cocktail shaker. However much vodka you put in, you want to put in roughly two-thirds of the same amount of coffee liqueur. It is also recommended to have one shot of espresso per 50ml of vodka.

Put some ice in a glass, and in your cocktail shaker to make sure your drink is nice and chilled. Before serving you can choose to add some extra elements. Some like to put some chocolate sauce on the inside of the glass before serving. Golden syrup is another popular option. The sweetness takes the edge of the bitterness off.

Browse from our full range of coffee machines on our website. You’ll find them in our small appliances section alongside our juicers, kettles, blenders, stand mixers and toasters. For more great kitchen appliances, check out our cooking section. We have an outstanding line of range cookers for you to browse. We also have a great selection of American-Style fridge freezers in our refrigeration section. For more helpful articles on coffee machines, see the following:

• Coffee Machine Compared
• How to Clean Your Coffee Machine
• A Guide to Coffee Machines