Name: Bedford Post Barns Double Espresso, Americano Recipe
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: Coffee
Ingredients: 18 g freshly ground espresso roast coffee; 36 ml filtered water for espresso; 120 ml hot water (for dilution); 1 tsp optional sugar or sweetener; 1 tbsp optional milk or creamer; 1 to taste espresso machine or stovetop espresso maker; 1 to taste espresso portafilter or basket; 1 to taste tamper; 1 to taste kettle (for hot water); 1 to taste scale or measuring spoon; 1 to taste thermometer (optional); 1 to taste preheated 12 oz (350 ml) mug or cup

Method

Espresso

Preheat and measure

Preheat your espresso cup or mug by filling it with hot water and set your kettle to keep water hot. Weigh 18 g of freshly roasted espresso beans. Grind the beans to an espresso-fine setting (should feel slightly gritty/fine, not powdery).

Prepare portafilter

Purge a short burst of steam or hot water through the group head to stabilize temperature. Dose the 18 g of ground coffee into a clean, dry portafilter basket, level and distribute grounds evenly, then tamp with 30 pounds (approx.) of pressure until the puck is smooth and even.

Extract a double shot

Lock the portafilter into the machine and start extraction immediately. Target an extraction yield of about 36 ml of espresso in 25–30 seconds (ratio ~1:2). Stop the shot once you reach roughly 36 ml. You should have a double espresso (two shots) with a golden crema on top.

If using stovetop espresso maker

If using a Moka pot, fill the bottom chamber with water to the safety valve, add 18 g of finely ground coffee to the filter basket, assemble and heat on medium. Pour the resulting concentrated brew (about 36 ml) into the preheated cup once it stops gurgling.

Americano assembly

Heat dilution water

Bring 120 ml of filtered water to just below boiling (about 90–96°C / 195–205°F). If you prefer a different strength, adjust hot water between 90–180 ml — 120 ml yields a balanced americano from a double shot.

Combine espresso and hot water

Two common methods: (A) Pour the hot water into the preheated mug first, then add the double espresso on top (this preserves crema less but cools less), or (B) pour the espresso into the mug first, then gently add hot water to taste (this preserves more crema). Use your preferred method. Stir gently if you added sweetener to dissolve.

Finish and serve

If desired, add up to 1 tsp sugar or sweetener and/or 1 tbsp milk or creamer and stir. Taste and adjust with more hot water, sweetener, or milk as desired. Serve immediately in the preheated mug.

Notes on timing and temperature

Serve within a few minutes of extraction for best flavor. If your espresso machine's cup temperature is low, pour hot water into the mug first to keep the Americano hot. Adjust coffee dose or water amount to taste for stronger or milder versions.

Cleanup

Purge the group head, knock out the coffee puck, rinse the portafilter and wipe down steam wand or group head. Empty and rinse the cup and any utensils used.