How Much Water for Espresso K-Cup?
There are a variety of espresso K-Cups out there, each promising the closest experience to an authentic shot of espresso. One way to get that intense coffee flavor is to know how much water to use for each pod. To get that rich, intense coffee flavor, it’s recommended you use the smallest amount of water your Keurig allows to extract a brew, which would typically be six ounces.
Keurig Versus Espresso Machine
Espresso can only be made with espresso machines. This is because to make espresso, you need a contraption that can pressurize hot water into finely ground coffee. This extracts a bold, concentrated flavor–Keurig machines can’t do this.
If you know how to use a pour-over coffee maker, then you understand how a Keurig works. It’s the same as other coffee brewers, in which it pours hot water into coffee grounds to extract a cup of Joe.
How to Make Espresso in a Keurig
Although you can’t pull a shot of espresso from a Keurig machine in the traditional sense, it’s possible to mimic the flavor and aroma of espresso with your machine using espresso K-Cups. You’ll get a strong cup of coffee, though it won’t be exactly the same. Here’s how to make a shot of espresso in a Keurig.
First, add six ounces of water into your Keurig’s water tank–this is enough to fill the smallest cup option. With your machine plugged in, insert an espresso K-Cup into the holder. Pull down the lever, and brew your coffee as usual. That’s it!
Note that even if you’re trying to “pull a shot of espresso,” you shouldn’t catch the liquid with a demitasse (espresso) cup, as these will likely overflow. Use a regular six-ounce mug, and if you want to serve it in a demitasse cup, just transfer the drink afterwards.
Tips for Making Espresso in a Keurig
Making espresso in a Keurig is the same as making any other brew with a regular K-Cup, but there are two key steps that make it close to the experience of a real shot. Here are some tips to follow when making espresso in a Keurig:
Choose an Espresso K-Cup
An espresso K-Cup is a Keurig cup designed to taste similarly to espresso. It typically has intense-flavored coffee, which allows you to get a similar experience from an authentic shot. Choose this when you get K-Cups for home if you want to make espresso in your Keurig.
Use the Smallest Cup Setting
Espresso is made with one-part coffee and two-parts water. You can approximate this same ratio by using the smallest cup option in your Keurig, which is six ounces. Set your machine to this setting and fill your water tank with the same amount of water to get a bold, slightly concentrated brew.
Set Your Expectations
Unfortunately, you can’t make an authentic espresso in a Keurig–you can only get a drink close to it. Remember this, and set your expectations accordingly. Even if a Keurig can’t make espresso, it’s a convenient way to get brewed coffee quickly and easily.
The Best Espresso K-Cups to Make Espresso in a Keurig
Choosing the best espresso K-Cup can drastically affect the espresso experience you get from a Keurig. When selecting your pods, consider the flavor, the type of beans used (and if they were packed fresh), and the brand (coffee producers that know their coffee will produce better brews). If you need help narrowing down your choices, check out PageOneCoffee’s comprehensive list of the best espresso K-Cups in the market.
