20 Espresso Coffee Drinks To Keep Your Routine Interesting

Espresso is the heartbeat of so many coffee drinks. I’ve always loved how such a tiny shot can create so many different experiences.

One day it’s just a straight shot to get me going, and the next it’s a creamy latte or even a sweet mocha. What makes espresso so exciting is its versatility. You can enjoy it plain, mix it with milk, or even turn it into dessert with a scoop of ice cream.

Writing about espresso drinks feels like inviting you into my kitchen, where I get to share the recipes I make depending on my mood.

Some are simple and strong, while others lean into indulgence. No matter your taste, there’s an espresso recipe here waiting to be your new favorite.

1. Classic Espresso

There’s nothing quite like a classic espresso. It’s the purest way to enjoy coffee — just you, the beans, and that intense, concentrated flavor.

The crema sits on top like a golden layer, almost like a promise of the richness underneath.

What I love most is how versatile it is. Sometimes I drink it straight when I need a serious pick-me-up, but other times it’s the foundation for my cappuccinos or lattes.

It’s bold, aromatic, and a ritual I never get tired of. If you really want to taste the character of your beans, this is where it shines.

Ingredients:

• 18–20 g finely ground espresso
• Fresh hot water

Instructions:

1. Tamp grounds firmly in portafilter.
2. Brew 25–30 seconds for a 1–2 oz shot.

2. Espresso Macchiato

The macchiato is one of my favorite ways to take espresso when I want something strong but with a softer finish.

It’s essentially a shot “marked” with a spoonful of frothed milk. That little bit of creaminess rounds out the sharpness without covering up the flavor.

What’s fun is that you can control the balance. Add just a touch for a stronger drink or a little more if you want it smoother.

It’s quick, simple, and always feels a bit indulgent without taking away that espresso punch.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 1–2 teaspoons frothed milk

Instructions:

1. Brew espresso into a small cup.
2. Add milk foam right on top.

3. Espresso Con Panna

Espresso con panna is my guilty pleasure when I want my coffee to double as dessert.

The name literally means “with cream,” and that’s exactly what it is: a rich shot of espresso topped with whipped cream.

I love the way the cream melts slowly into the espresso, swirling sweetness through the bold coffee. It’s almost like drinking coffee and dessert in the same sip.

Sometimes I even sprinkle cocoa powder or cinnamon on top to make it feel extra special. It’s one of those small luxuries that can instantly brighten my mood.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• Whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Brew a fresh espresso shot.
2. Dollop whipped cream on top.

4. Iced Shaken Espresso

Iced shaken espresso is one of my favorite warm-weather drinks because it combines bold flavor with refreshing texture.

You start with strong espresso shots, add ice and a little sweetener, and then shake it all together. The magic really happens in the shaking. It creates a frothy, bubbly layer that makes the drink feel so light.

I love how it blends the sweetness evenly with the coffee, so every sip tastes balanced.

It’s refreshing, energizing, and feels like something I’d order at a café, except I can easily make it at home.

Check out the full iced brown sugar shaken espresso recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso
• 1–2 teaspoons simple syrup
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Add espresso, syrup, and ice to a shaker.
2. Shake until frothy and pour into a glass.

5. Cortado

The cortado is a middle ground between espresso and milk. Whenever I want something smoother than straight espresso but not as milky as a latte, this is what I make.

It’s equal parts espresso and steamed milk, giving you that strong base flavor but with enough creaminess to mellow it out.

It’s a great way to taste how espresso and milk can work together in harmony without one overpowering the other.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• Equal amount steamed milk

Instructions:

1. Pull your espresso shot.
2. Add equal steamed milk on top.

6. Flat White

The flat white is one of those drinks that I turn to when I want something smooth and creamy without losing the strength of espresso.

It’s often confused with a latte, but the difference is in the ratio. A flat white has more espresso and less milk, so the flavor stays bold while still being silky.

The microfoam is key. It’s steamed to be velvety, not too airy, so it blends seamlessly with the espresso instead of sitting on top.

I think of it as a cozy café drink that feels both strong and comforting. It’s the kind of cup I could sip slowly while working or catching up with a friend.

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso
• 4 oz steamed milk with microfoam

Instructions:

1. Pull a double shot of espresso.
2. Steam milk until velvety.
3. Pour over espresso, blending smoothly.

7. Cappuccino

There’s something classic about a cappuccino that always makes me feel like I’m in a little Italian café, even if I’m at home.

It’s all about balance: equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. I love how the foam sits on top like a cushion, keeping the drink warm while giving each sip a fluffy texture.

Sometimes I sprinkle cinnamon or cocoa powder over the foam, and it instantly feels fancy.

The cappuccino has that perfect mix of bold espresso flavor and creamy milk, so it feels indulgent without being heavy.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• Equal parts steamed milk and milk foam

Instructions:

1. Brew espresso into a cup.
2. Add steamed milk, then spoon foam on top.

8. Espresso Tonic

If you’ve never tried espresso tonic, you’re missing out on one of the most refreshing twists on coffee.

It sounds unusual at first—mixing espresso with tonic water—but it works so well. The bitterness of the tonic highlights the espresso’s flavors, and the carbonation gives it an almost cocktail-like vibe.

The citrusy notes in tonic brighten the espresso, making it feel crisp and refreshing. Sometimes I even add a slice of lemon or orange on top, and it feels like a summer afternoon treat.

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso
• 4–6 oz chilled tonic water
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill glass with ice and tonic water.
2. Slowly pour espresso on top.

9. Mocha

A mocha is my go-to when I want my coffee to double as dessert.

It’s espresso combined with hot chocolate and steamed milk, which means every sip is a cozy mix of caffeine and sweetness.

I love making this in colder months when I crave something warming and a little indulgent. The chocolate softens the bold espresso without covering it up, so you get the best of both worlds.

Sometimes I top it with whipped cream and drizzle chocolate syrup for an extra treat. It feels like a hug in a mug and always satisfies my sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 1 tbsp chocolate syrup or cocoa powder
• 6 oz steamed milk

Instructions:

1. Stir chocolate into espresso.
2. Pour in steamed milk.
3. Add whipped cream if you like.

10. Affogato

The affogato isn’t just a drink; it’s a dessert in the simplest form.

I can’t think of anything more satisfying than hot espresso poured over cold vanilla ice cream. The contrast is what makes it magical: the ice cream slowly melts, creating this creamy, sweet coffee sauce that’s irresistible.

You can experiment with flavors too, like hazelnut or caramel ice cream, to change things up.

It’s ridiculously easy to make but always feels like something special when you serve it.

Ingredients:

• 1–2 shots hot espresso
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Instructions:

1. Place ice cream in a small dish.
2. Pour espresso over it and serve immediately.

11. Red Eye

The red eye is what I make when I need a serious jolt of caffeine.

It’s a simple idea: brewed coffee with a shot of espresso added in. Some people even add two shots, which takes it up to a “black eye.”

I like it because you still get the mellow taste of drip coffee, but the espresso deepens the flavor and gives you that extra strength.

It’s the drink I’ll make if I have a long morning ahead or I’m writing late at night and need focus. It’s strong, straightforward, and definitely not for the faint of heart, but when you need it, nothing works better.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1 shot espresso

Instructions:

1. Brew coffee as usual.
2. Add freshly pulled espresso shot on top.

12. Latte

The latte is one of the most popular espresso drinks for a reason.

It’s creamy, smooth, and easy to sip, with espresso providing a rich backbone to all that steamed milk.

When I make a latte, I usually enjoy the ritual of frothing the milk, then pour it slowly so it swirls into the coffee.

If you enjoy flavoring your drinks, lattes are the perfect base. You can try vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, or even seasonal syrups like pumpkin spice.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 8 oz steamed milk
• Optional: flavored syrup

Instructions:

1. Brew espresso into a mug.
2. Add steamed milk slowly.
3. Stir in syrup if using.

13. Café Breve

Café breve is like the latte’s richer cousin. Instead of steamed milk, you use steamed half-and-half, which makes the drink creamier and heavier.

I don’t make this every day, but when I want something indulgent, it’s hard to beat. The espresso still comes through strong, but the half-and-half gives it this velvety body that feels almost like dessert.

It’s one of those drinks I make when I want to treat myself without adding sugar or flavors, just rich, bold coffee with a creamy texture.

If you like lattes but want to take it up a notch, café breve is definitely worth trying.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 6–8 oz steamed half-and-half

Instructions:

1. Pull espresso into a cup.
2. Steam half-and-half until velvety.
3. Pour over espresso.

14. Ristretto

Ristretto is like espresso in its most concentrated form.

It’s brewed with the same amount of coffee grounds but less water, so the flavor is intense and slightly sweeter. It’s smaller in volume, but the taste is fuller, less bitter, and very smooth.

If espresso feels strong to you, ristretto might surprise you. It’s bold, but not harsh, and it highlights all the best parts of the beans.

Ingredients:

• 18–20 g finely ground espresso
• Less water than a standard shot

Instructions:

1. Tamp espresso grounds firmly.
2. Brew for 15–20 seconds for a short ¾ oz shot.

15. Long Black

The long black is popular in Australia and New Zealand, and I’ve grown to love it for how smooth it tastes.

It’s similar to an Americano, but the technique is different. Instead of adding hot water to espresso, you pour the espresso over the hot water. That way, the crema stays intact, giving the drink a more layered taste.

It’s bold, aromatic, and has that café feel, but it’s simple enough to make at home in just a minute.

If you enjoy the Americano, you’ll definitely appreciate the long black.

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso
• 4–6 oz hot water

Instructions:

1. Fill cup with hot water.
2. Slowly pour espresso shots over the top.

16. Americano

The Americano is what I make when I want a longer, smoother coffee that still carries the richness of espresso.

The story goes that American soldiers in Italy during WWII would dilute espresso with hot water to make it more like the coffee they were used to back home.

What I love about the Americano is its simplicity. It’s just espresso and water, nothing else.

The water stretches the espresso, and softens the intensity while keeping the depth of flavor.

It’s the kind of drink that feels casual and easygoing, but still gives me that espresso character I crave.

Ingredients:

• 1–2 shots espresso
• 4–6 oz hot water

Instructions:

1. Brew espresso into a cup.
2. Pour hot water on top.

17. Café Cubano

Café Cubano, or Cuban espresso, is one of the sweetest ways to enjoy coffee.

The trick is whisking sugar directly with the first few drops of espresso so it forms a thick, caramel-like foam called espuma.

Then the rest of the espresso is poured in, creating this sweet, rich cup that’s bursting with flavor.

I like serving it in small cups because it’s really intense, but that’s what makes it fun. It’s less of a casual sip and more of a little treat, almost like candy in a cup.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 1–2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions:

1. Add sugar to cup.
2. Brew espresso and whisk first drops with sugar until foamy.
3. Pour in remaining espresso.

18. Doppio

Sometimes a single espresso shot just isn’t enough, and that’s where the doppio comes in.

It’s simply a double shot, but it feels like a whole new drink because you get more body, more crema, and definitely more caffeine.

I like ordering a doppio when I need focus for a project or when I’m savoring a slower morning. It has twice the richness and makes a great base for drinks like lattes and flat whites if you want them stronger.

It’s the kind of cup that reminds me why I love espresso so much: small in size, but powerful in taste and impact.

Ingredients:

• 18–20 g finely ground espresso (double)
• Fresh hot water

Instructions:

1. Use a double basket portafilter.
2. Brew 25–30 seconds for a 2 oz shot.

19. Cortadito

The cortadito is like Cuba’s answer to the cortado, but with sugar already mixed in.

It’s espresso blended with warm, frothy milk and a sweet kick that makes it feel cozy and satisfying. I like it because it balances strength and sweetness in a way that doesn’t feel heavy.

It’s a smaller drink, usually served in little cups, and it’s perfect when you want something strong but not overwhelming.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 1–2 teaspoons sugar
• Equal amount steamed milk

Instructions:

1. Stir sugar into espresso.
2. Add equal steamed milk.

20. Espresso Martini

The espresso martini is my go-to when I want coffee to meet cocktail hour.

It’s smooth and has that perfect mix of bitter coffee and sweet liqueur. I like making it when friends are over because it feels impressive but isn’t complicated.

The shaken espresso creates a foamy top that looks beautiful in a martini glass, while the vodka and coffee liqueur round it out into something both energizing and indulgent.

Sipping one always feels like a night out, even if I’m just making it at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 1½ oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• ½ oz simple syrup

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients with ice to a shaker.
2. Shake until frothy and strain into a martini glass.

This post showed you 20 best espresso recipes.

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