How to Make Espresso With Keurig | Step-by-step Guide

This article is about how to make Espresso with Keurig machine. Keurig is a brand that produces the finest coffee, and it is also known for producing the Original Espresso. Keurig machines are available in the market and can be used in any Keurig machine.

What is an Original Espresso?

To know the Original Espresso, you need to compare it with coffee. Coffee is made of coarse ground beans, generally brewed with hot water, while Espresso is made up of the finest ground beans and is brewed under high pressure.

During the Espresso bean’s roasting process, carbon dioxide gets trapped in the coffee beans. When high-pressure water is forced on the coffee beans, they extract coffee and the trapped carbon dioxide that brings froth crema to the Espresso.

Also read: 21 Best Espresso Machines, Tested & Reviewed

Does Keurig make Espresso?

Keurig Espresso K-cups are available in the market and can be used in any Keurig machine to provide an experience of Espresso. But a real cup of Espresso takes a different environment and machine as Keurig doesn’t brew under pressure which is essential to produce an Espresso.

However, the lack of crema and aroma of Espresso does not take away anyone’s enjoyment of coffee. Keurig users are still satisfied with the Espresso that Keurig machines produce. 

From the Keurig family, Keurig Rivo is available in the market to provide the real Espresso experience. This machine is designed to prepare cappuccinos and lattes. It is better than other models as it enables you to brew Espresso and froth to make lungo and short shots of Espresso. 

Related: How to descale Keurig

How to Make Espresso with Keurig? Step by Step process

Prep time	25-35 Seconds
brew/Cook time	20-30Seconds
Total time	25-35 Seconds
Calories	10 kcal

Equipment

1. A Keurig Machine
2. Full-size coffee mug
3. Espresso cups

Ingredients

1. Dark K-cups
2. Sweet Cream
3. Water

Instructions

Following are the precise steps which should be followed to reach close to your destination. Although a Keurig user can enjoy the Espresso made by the Keurig machines, and Espresso lover may find a difference in Espresso that will be prepared after following these steps.

1. Choose Right K-Cup

If you are trying it for the first time, choose one of the following k-cups we tested and mentioned for your convenience.

• Illy Extra Dark Roast Espresso K-cups
• Lavazza Perfetto Espresso K-cups
• Starbucks Verismo Espresso K-cup Roast
• San Francisco Bay Espresso Roast One cup K-cups

If you are already a Keurig consumer and finding the precise method, choose your favorite k-cup that you think may get your desired Espresso taste.

Choose a k-cup with a dark roast of coffee that is fresh and available in the market. Price can be one of the marking points for finely-grained coffee k-cups.

Also read: 17 Best K-Cup Coffee Pod Flavors | 2023

2. Use the Smallest cup size available in your Keurig machine

To prepare Espresso, your ratio of coffee to water should be 1:2. So, to prepare Espresso with a Keurig machine, select the smallest cup size in your coffee maker and then prepare it. In this way, it would give the most concentrated coffee possible. 

Also read : Complete guide on Keurig Cup sizes

3. Brewing

Press the brewing button on your machine after placing a full-size coffee mug under the brew head as Espresso concentrated coffee may splatter. Transfer the brewed Espresso into the Espresso cup and enjoy. 

Note: Espresso cups are fancy, but they won’t work well for the Keurig machine, as you may experience splashes or overflow. 

4. Frothing Milk (Optional)

Although your Keurig has already done the magic, your Espresso-like drip coffee is ready. But we tested some techniques, and you may find them interesting.

If you want a latte, you can froth some milk for your Espresso. Add some warm milk to the French press and use the plunger to the top. Plunge up and down 40-45 times and pour it on your Espresso.

Which Keurig makes Espresso?

The Keurig Rivo makes Espresso. The name of this machine is revolutionary as Rivo is an Italian word that means revolutionary. Indeed, that machine has magic that allows you to brew Espresso in it under high pressure and heat. Espresso K-cups provide a quality of grounded coffee that provides a great taste and brings a layer of foam on it.

The Keurig Rivo is the finest available Keurig that is designed to provide original-like Espresso for Keurig family members. However, real Espresso takes a different process, which is attached to the pressure of brewing with the quality of coffee grounds.

Keurig Rivo is quite simple to use. But, if you do not know how to use it, you can use the manual guide available with it, or the high-technology equipped Rivo will direct you to which mistakes you’re making while achieving your Espresso. Rivo needs two things to prepare the Espresso; an Espresso K-cup of your choice and water. 

The simple method for Rivo is to fill the water reservoir and place your favorite Espresso K-cup into the bin. Press the button to prepare Espresso in a few seconds. For beginners, we recommend using manuals and starting with proper care.

Does Keurig K-Cafe make Espresso?

Keurig k-Cafe also brews Cappuccino and latte like the Keurig Rivo model. So, it gives the impression that it can also brew espresso shots. However, it is not true. Keurig K-Cafe can not brew espresso shots. It can just brew regular coffee.

Can you use Espresso pods in a Keurig?

Yes, you can use Espresso pods or K-cups in a Keurig machine. They come in different flavors and will prepare an espresso according to your taste.

However, Keurig does not allow you to use Espresso capsules that come in different shapes, sizes, and materials to make fresh coffee. But, there is a trick to using Espresso capsules or any capsules for Keurig machines. Usually, Espresso capsules do not have filter paper over their plastic cover; you need to cut through the cover and pour the coffee grounds into the reusable K-cups.

Best Espresso k-cups

Here is a list of the best Espresso K-cups available in the market.

1. San Francisco Bay One cup

These k-cups intend to bring an Espresso taste with ingredients of dark chocolate, dark spices, medium-dark and fine grounds of coffee.

2. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

For preparing Espresso, it comes with a vanilla touch which tags the unique taste of the Espresso. Committed to sustainable flavor in the pods, these pods do not contain any artificial sweeteners. Also, it provides unique Espresso k-cups, which are compatible with all Keurig machines. 

3. Cafe Bustelo Espresso Style Dark Roast

Cafe Bustelo is a dark roast coffee that provides nothing less than an Espresso aroma but without crema. They are designed to give the aroma and taste of Cuban Espresso, which is less concentrated than Italian Espresso.

Final Thoughts

However, it is undeniable that Keurig Espresso cannot give an Original Espresso experience. But Keurig provides a great alternative to the Espresso taste.

If you own a Keurig machine and crave an Espresso, we recommend going through this article once. Try making Espresso with a simple technique using any Keurig machine. But for the ultimate experience, which would be close to the Espresso, you should use Keurig Rivo.

FAQs

Is Keurig an Espresso machine?

Keurig is known for drip coffee and is not an Espresso machine. However, it does not just compete but leads the Nespresso family in different categories of the coffee domain.

Keurig was an American idea to solve the daily problems of drip coffee. Since Keurig is also a single-serve coffee maker, it is hassle-free as you do not need to change the filter.

Also read: Best single-serve coffee makers 2023, tried and tested

Also read: 15 Best Keurig Coffee Makers Money Can Buy

Does Keurig make Espresso k-cups?

Indeed yes. Keurig makes a range of Espresso K-cups that are available in the market. 

K-cups come in light, medium, and dark roasts. With the change in roast, the strength of the coffee changes. Espresso K-cups are dark roasted k-cups that can produce concentrated Espresso-like coffee. Following are some of the choices that can make the Espresso shots.

• Green Mountain Dark Magic
• Death Wish Coffee
• Green Mountain Double Diamond