Popular articles
Recent discussions on forum
What Is A Double Espresso?
About the double espresso, how to drink it, and how to make one.
Published March 10, 2022
Select language
Johan Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
You have probably heard of an espresso and know what it is, but do you know what a double espresso is? How many ounces are in a double espresso, what is the caffeine content, and what’s the best way to order it? If you’re interested in finding out more about the double espresso and how it compares to the other drinks on the menu that you like, keep reading to find out more.
Single Espresso Explained
Before learning more about a double espresso, it’s important to make sure that you know what a regular shot of espresso is. Espresso is a highly concentrated type of coffee that is made by pushing pressurized hot water through coffee grounds that have been packed densely by tamping. A single shot of espresso is typically around one ounce and has 64mg of caffeine.
Double Espresso Explained
Put simply, a double espresso is exactly what it says on the tin – 2 shots of espresso. This equates to around 2oz of espresso and 128mg of caffeine.
How to Order a Double Espresso
Although you can just ask for a double shot of espresso, you can use Italian to order if you want to sound more knowledgeable at your favorite coffee shop.
What Does Doppio Mean?
A double espresso is known as a ‘doppio’, which simply means ‘double’ in Italian. It’s also worth bearing in mind that at most coffee shops, a double shot of espresso is normal, so you might not need to specify it. Many coffee shops will give a doppio espresso as standard unless asked otherwise.
A double espresso, also known as a doppio shot, espresso doppio, or simply a double shot coffee or double shot espresso, is one of the most popular drinks in the coffee community. However, there is some confusion that remains about this drink. This is because like many coffee drinks, it is not prepared using a set recipe and there can be a lot of variation depending on who prepares it.
By definition, a double espresso is just two shots of a regular single espresso shot. When it comes to the espresso single shot vs double shot, the double shot is twice as large with two times the amount of coffee.
How is Espresso Brewed?
What is espresso meaning? How is an espresso shot brewed? An espresso is a very short and strong coffee drink that is brewed by putting 18-22g of finely ground coffee into an espresso machine and forcing hot water through the coffee at around nine bars of pressure. It is a brewing method that will extract all the flavor and intensity from the ground coffee in roughly 25-40 seconds. It is the coffee brewing method that uses the least amount of liquid.
Since espresso is brewed with a very small water volume, this results in a drink that is very rich, strong, and textured. Since a double espresso is prepared with twice the coffee and twice the water, it results in a larger, more flavorful, more intense, and even more textured drink that allows even more of the coffee flavor notes to shine through.
While the intense coffee drink isn’t the right choice for everybody, it is a very enjoyable beverage that is easy to drink if it’s brewed by a skilled barista using coffee beans that you enjoy.
How to Drink a Double Espresso
Drinking a double espresso can look different for everybody. However, the process of how to drink the doppio, what to do before drinking it, and what you can do to make it taste as good as possible is very important. During the process of brewing espresso, the majority of espresso machines will go through a ‘pre infusion cycle’. This involves pumping a small amount of water into the coffee grounds where it will sit with the coffee for a few seconds, before pumping the rest of the water through the coffee to actually pull the espresso shot.
Due to the pre-infusion process, the first few milliliters of liquid that are pulled through the machine are extremely rich, dense, thick, textured, and strong. When more water is pulled through the coffee, the texture and strength of the liquid becomes weaker as there will be less to extract from the coffee as the shot progresses.
Since the viscosity and the strength of the espresso shot will decline as the shot is pulled, this means that the strength and consistency of the espresso in the cup are not always uniform. When the espresso is first pulled, the first few milliliters in the cup will be very thick and strong, and the shot will weaken more towards the top. It’s important to know this information as it is useful for how to drink a double espresso to enjoy it most.
Since espresso is a layered drink, it’s always best to stir it before you take the first sip. This will combine all the layers of the coffee and make sure that the whole drink tastes great and is well-balanced. If you don’t stir the drink, the first sip you take is going to be rather disappointing and weak. The coffee will get stronger as you keep drinking it and might be too strong for most people towards the end.
Another important thing to remember when you drink a double espresso is that it is best drunk as soon after brewing as possible, and quickly. Don’t let the espresso sit and cool down since this will cause it to separate into sips that are weaker and stronger, and many of the natural aromas that make the espresso taste so good will dissipate before you are able to enjoy them.
Is Double Espresso a Good Drink Choice?
A double espresso is one of the strongest coffee drinks that you can order. The only stronger drink on the menu is the double ristretto, which is not really that much stronger compared to a double espresso. However, for many people, this means that they may struggle to enjoy a double espresso or perceive it to be not very enjoyable if they haven’t tried it.
The fact is that it can take some time and practice to get used to drinking a double espresso and start to enjoy and appreciate it. It is a very strong drink, and it can sometimes be hard to find a barista who is skilled enough to prepare it very well.
To get the most from ordering a double espresso and make sure that you enjoy this drink to the fullest, it’s a good idea to spend some time finding a coffee shop that has well-practiced and skilled baristas who know how to pull good espresso shots. Ask the barista which flavor notes you should be looking out for in the espresso they brewed. While drinking it, take the time to sip it and look out for these flavors.
Once you get used to drinking espresso and are able to appreciate all the subtleties of drinking it, what was once a drink that may have seemed too strong and bitter for you may become a drink that is well-balanced, textured, enjoyable, and even quite sweet.
How to Make Double Espresso at Home
While a single espresso shot uses around 8g of ground coffee to produce a 1oz drink, a doppio will use around 16g of ground coffee and results in a 2oz drink. If you want to start making your own double espressos to enjoy at home, you are going to need a home espresso machine that is capable of making a doppio. However, that being said, there are some alternative ways to make a double espresso including using a Moka pot. With most home espresso machines, you can easily make two single shots of espresso and put them in the same cup to make a double shot. You can do this with either an electric or hand pump espresso machine.
To make a double espresso shot at home, the first thing to do is grind your espresso beans to a consistency that will easily filter through the machine. For most espresso machines, this is a fine grind that has a powdery consistency. Make two separate amounts to fit into your portafilter and lightly pack the contents with your tamper. Then, press the button or use the hand pump to force the hot water through the espresso tamp. Once complete, add your second batch of espresso into the portafilter and repeat for a second time for your second shot. Once you’re done, you can add milk or sugar to your doppio if you like, and it’s ready to drink. If you don’t like drinking espresso black, you can use a milk steamer or frother to prepare milk to add to your double shot and turn it into a cappuccino, latte, mocha, or other espresso-based milky drink.
A double espresso is, quite simply, two shots of espresso rather than one. It is a great way to get the full flavor of the coffee and is a strong drink that’s sure to energize you.
About the author
Johan Hedlund
I´m living in Karlstad, Sweden with my family. Been working the last 25 years with several start ups in the tech industry. Coffee has been an integral part, both professionally and privately. Eager to learn new things and happy to be a member of the era of we community.
Add comment
More on the coffee lab
Sign up and contribute now