Hey there, fellow coffee enthusiast! Let me share with you my journey to pulling the perfect shot of Starbucks Espresso Roast. I remember the first time I tried to make espresso at home – it was a complete disaster! The shot pulled in 10 seconds flat and tasted like bitter water. But after months of practice and learning from my mistakes, I finally had that “aha!” moment when everything clicked.
There’s something almost magical that happens when hot water meets finely ground coffee beans under pressure. That moment when you see that beautiful golden crema forming – it’s like watching alchemy in action! What I love about Starbucks Espresso Roast is how it balances that intense boldness with surprising sweetness. When you get the coffee extraction just right, you’ll discover caramel notes that you never knew were hiding in those dark beans.
As a guy who’s become pretty passionate about my coffee brewing, I can tell you that mastering espresso is one of the most rewarding skills you can learn. It’s not just about making coffee – it’s about understanding the science behind perfect extraction and creating that authentic coffeehouse experience right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re making morning lattes or impressing friends with after-dinner affogatos, this espresso recipe will take your coffee game to the next level.
What You’ll Need
- 18g Starbucks Espresso Roast beansCoffee
- Filtered water (as needed)Water
- Demerara sugar (optional)Sweetener
- Lemon twist for garnishGarnish
My Espresso Setup
Espresso Machine
With 9 bars pressure minimum
Burr Grinder
For consistent fine grind
Digital Scale
0.1g precision for dosing
Tamper
58mm for even compression
Let’s Pull Some Shots Together
Grind Your Beans Just Right
Weigh 18 grams of Starbucks Espresso Roast beans and grind them to a fine consistency that feels like powdered sugar between your fingers. I learned the hard way that the grind size is everything in coffee making – too coarse and your shot will be weak, too fine and it’ll choke your machine. Keep adjusting until you hit that sweet spot for perfect coffee extraction.
Get Your Grounds Ready
Transfer your freshly ground coffee to the portafilter. Use your fingers or a distribution tool to create an even bed of coffee. This might seem like a small step, but it’s what separates okay espresso from amazing espresso. Any unevenness can cause channeling, where the water finds easy paths through the coffee and you end up with uneven extraction in your coffee brewing.
Tamp Like a Pro
Apply about 30 pounds of pressure with your tamper, making sure to keep it perfectly level. Give it a little twist at the end to polish the surface. The goal here is uniform density throughout the coffee puck. Don’t go crazy with the pressure – consistent tamping is more important than brute force. Just focus on creating that nice, flat surface for even water distribution.
Time to Pull the Shot
Start your timer as you engage the machine. Watch for those first drops of espresso to appear within 5-7 seconds – that’s when the magic starts! The stream should start thin and dark, then thicken up to that beautiful mouse tail consistency with amazing tiger-striping crema. Stop the shot at 25-30 seconds for a perfect double espresso with that rich coffee flavor we’re after.
Check Your Work
Your finished shot should give you about 36g of liquid espresso – that’s the perfect 1:2 ratio we’re looking for. The crema should be thick, persistent, and that beautiful caramel color. Taste it right away: it should be balanced with sweetness, pleasant bitterness, and no sourness. If your extraction time was off, don’t worry – just adjust your grind size and try again. Coffee making is all about practice!
Serve and Enjoy Immediately
Espresso is best enjoyed within moments of extraction, so serve it right away in a pre-warmed demitasse cup. For that classic Italian touch, offer it with a demerara sugar cube and lemon twist. Here’s a cool trick I learned: rub the lemon twist around the cup rim – the citrus oils can really enhance the espresso’s natural sweetness and make for an amazing coffee experience.
What’s In Your Cup
Approximate values per double shot (black)
10
Calories
1g
Protein
0g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Fat
150mg
Caffeine
Note: Based on standard double shot extraction
My Best Espresso Tips
For Perfect Shots Every Time
- Always use freshly roasted beans and grind right before brewing – it makes a huge difference in flavor
- Purge your machine by running water through the group head before pulling your shot
- Clean your equipment daily to prevent oil buildup that can really affect the taste
- Use a scale to measure both coffee input and liquid output – consistency is key!
Mix It Up Sometimes
- Americano: Add hot water to espresso for a smooth, diluted coffee that’s perfect for sipping
- Macchiato: Top with a dollop of foamed milk for that beautiful contrast of flavors
- Cubano: Mix demerara sugar into the portafilter before tamping for a sweet twist
- Affogato: Pour hot espresso over vanilla ice cream – the ultimate coffee dessert!