How to Make Espresso Without a Machine (2 Methods)

So you want to make delicious lattes without an espresso maker? Let’s learn how to make espresso without a machine!

I share the two simplest methods to make a sort of espresso shot. That works as a substitute to use in all of your favourite espresso based drinks.

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Can I make Espresso with no Machine?

While you can’t make true espresso, you can create a great espresso substitute by using one of the two methods outlined in this post.

2 Methods

Method #1: Steeping The Shot: Easy, needs no special tools.

Method #2: French Press Espresso: Affordable and easy, makes great espresso coffee, requires a French press.

What You’ll Need: There are a few things you probably already own that you can use to make your espresso.

1. A way to make hot water, I use an electric kettle (temp between 195-205F).
2. Quality coffee beans or ground coffee, Atlas Coffee is a great option.
3. A coffee grinder to grind your beans consistently.
4. A glass cup that holds 1/2 cup water or a French press.

For best results you want a temp of 195-205F (91-96C). To simplify this I heat water to boil and let it sit off the heat for 20-30 seconds.

Method #1: Steeping Your Espresso

You will need:

• Coffee beans or pre-ground regular coffee. Need 3 tablespoons ground coffee.

• 1/2 cup of hot water
• Fine mesh strainer covered with paper towel or make one with just paper towel/paper coffee filter

1. Grind & Measure Coffee

• Using your coffee grinder, grind your beans to medium fine grind. Measure 3 tablespoons ground coffee into a cup.

2. Boil & Measure Water

• Heat the water and once boiled, let it sit for 20-30 seconds before using (Need temp of 195-205F)
• Measure out 1/2 cup hot water

3. Steep Grounds (total 4 min.)

• Slowly pour the hot water over the coffee grounds while swirling the cup in a slow circular motion to cover all grounds.
• Steep for 1 minute and then stir. Let it steep for 3 more minutes.*

4. Strain

• Slowly strain through a fine mesh strainer that is covered with a piece of paper towel. Strain into your serving mug.
• This makes sure that your espresso is smooth and doesn’t contain sediment from the fine grounds.

Use in your recipe/or prep to drink by slowly pouring into your prepared glass.

#2: Make Espresso With a French Press

If you already own a French press, it’s a great option to make espresso with no equipment.

Pros: Keeps the strong coffee hot, makes straining grounds out simple, 

Cons: it doesn’t create much foam.

Step 1: Grind Beans

• Grind about 1/3 cup dark roast coffee beans to a medium fine grind.
• Measure 3 1/2 tablespoons of coffee grounds into the French press basin.

Step 2: Heat Water

• In a tea kettle or on the stove, heat 3/4 cup of water to boil and let sit 20-30 seconds (want 200 to 205°F).

Step 3: Brew French Press Espresso (4 Min.)

• Pour the the hot water into the press and stir. 
• Place the lid on the press with the plunger up and let it steep for 4 minutes.

Step 4: Plunge & Serve

• Slowly press the plunger all the way down.
• Optional: Strain the French press espresso using a fine mesh strainer covered with paper towel. 
• Pour it directly into your serving mug.

Top your espresso-like coffee with 3/4 cup hot milk and enjoy.

Other Ways to Make an Espresso Substitute

If the two options listed above don’t work for you, there are still a few options to try. 

AeroPress

Pros: It’s affordable ($30), a portable espresso maker, simple to use and easy to store.

Cons: Requires you purchase or already own an AeroPress and filters out the foam. 

Moka Pot

The moka pot is a neat way to create espresso. You place it on the stove over medium heat. And uses steam pressure to push water from the bottom chamber up through the packed coffee grounds. 

Pros: It’s a stovetop espresso maker, affordable ($15-30), also portable and creates intense flavor for your espresso based drinks. 

Cons: Tricky to do properly, doesn’t produce foam and requires you already own one or purchase one.

Coffee Maker

You can make traditional drip coffee at double strength. Use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for each 6oz cup of water you brew. 

Instant coffee

Use 2-3 teaspoons of instant coffee granules and 2 tablespoons of hot water.

Keurig Machine

If you have one of these you can use an espresso roast k cup pod. A newer coffee pod machine may have the option to brew a smaller cup of concentrated coffee.

Lever Espresso Machine

This is an expensive option but is completely manual. It is supposed to simulate the bars of pressure you would get with a real espresso machine.

Choosing Beans & Grind Type

For this recipe it’s best to use a medium/medium fine grind espresso roast bean. You can also use any type of espresso beans you like.

The type of coffee I often use for my espresso is an Arabica Bean. Or if you like to try different roasts & beans try Atlas Coffee.

Generally, in the US coffee shops use a darker roast coffee beans like the French roast with a fine grind. In northern Italy they tend to use a medium roast to make their espresso-based drinks.

Water Temperature

For best results you want a temp of 195-205F (91-96C). To simplify this I heat water to boil and let it sit off the heat for 20-30 seconds. If the water is too hot it will result in a burnt bitter taste.

Anything below 195F/91C will not properly extract the caffeine from the beans. While brewing above 212F/100C results in burnt coffee.

How Long to Steep Coffee Grounds

The steep time should total 3-4 minutes. I find over 4 minutes it starts to get bitter.

• 3 min. will create a strong shot of coffee that is not bitter.
• 4 min. will be stronger coffee, with more flavour and a light bitter taste.
• While 5 min. makes bitter espresso but it can still work in lattes and iced coffee drinks.

Tips & Tricks

• Before measuring coffee grounds into your cup, pre-warm it by rinsing with hot water.
• Allow the boiled water to cool for 20-30 seconds. This way you don’t end up with a bitter burnt taste. Temp should be between 195-205F.
• Swirl the cup in slow circles while pouring water into the grounds. It helps form a nice foam on top and soak all the coffee grounds.
• While the espresso steeps you can cover it with a glass saucer or lid to retain heat.
• Use to replace a double shot of espresso in a recipe.

That concludes this guide to making a homemade espresso without a machine. Let me know in the comments how your espresso turns out and how you plan to use it!