Perfect Coffee

How to Make the Perfect Coffee and Other Coffee Drinks courtesy of cafe-lux.co.uk

Everybody loves a great cup of coffee. With so many different types of coffee drinks to enjoy, we've put together a guide for you on how to make the most common coffee beverages.

ESPRESSO / SHORT BLACK
An espresso or short black, is the basis for all regular strength coffees. So it's important to get this one right! Simply extract a 30ml shot of coffee into a warm demitasse cup. Your espresso should have a rich crema on top (this will largely depend on the type of coffee you use and the quality of your machine).



DOPPIO / DOUBLE ESPRESSO
This is a double shot of espresso (60ml instead of the regular 30ml). Again, extract a 60ml shot of espresso into a warm demitasse cup. A doppio espresso is the basis for a regular strength long black coffee.



LONG BLACK (AMERICANO)
To make a long black, extract a 'doppio' or double espresso into a hot cup. Then fill the cup to the top with hot water you've extracted from the machine. Pouring slowly, so as to retain the dense crema on top.



CAFE LATTE
A Caffe Latte consists of a approximately 1/3 espresso, 1/3 hot milk, and 1/3 foam. Start with a 30ml shot of espresso in a hot glass. Then with milk you have stretched in a jug, slowly pour it into the glass, while holding back the foam until it is about 2/3 full. Then push the foam forward while still pouring so you have about 1/3 foam on top.



CAPPUCCINO
Start with 30ml of espresso in a hot cappuccino cup. Then pour in hot milk till you reach about half way. At this point start to push the foam of the hot milk into the cup - you should end up with the foam sitting rounded above the rim of the cup. Add an additional foam peak if you like, but not more than a tablespoon. Finish with a generous dusting of chocolate.



MACCHIATO
Start with a 30ml shot of espresso in an espresso cup. Then with some stretched milk, stain the espresso with 1 teaspoon of milk and then an additional 1 teaspoon of dense foam. Note that it is important that the coffee doesn't look milky! You should have a nice layered effect of milk with a black band of coffee.



FLAT WHITE
In a warm cup, extract 30ml of espresso and then slowly top with hot milk, adding just a small layer of dense foam (about 5mm).



MOCHA
Start by mixing 30ml of espresso with a heaped teaspoon of quality drinking chocolate. Then top with stretched milk finishing either like a latte (mocha latte) or like a cappuccino (mochaccino).



DESSERT COFFEES
The following coffees can be enjoyed at any time, however they make a lovely finish to a meal instead of traditional dessert.

VIENNA
In a hot cup, extract a doppio espresso then top generously with whipped cream. If you like you can also dust with chocolate or chocolate shavings.



AFFOGATO
Place one scoop of quality vanilla ice cream in a glass (a martini glass looks nice) and serve with a 30ml shot of espresso on the side. Pour the hot espresso over the ice cream and enjoy. Alternatively, you can also serve a shot of Bailey's liquor or Frangelico on the side for a more decadent affogato.