To truly be an expert at espresso brewing, you need to understand espresso brew ratios or recipes. These recipes are not what you might think; we will not recommend two pumps of this and three pumps of that. Espresso brew ratios are the amount of coffee grounds to espresso yield (what ends up in the cup) to total extraction or brewing time.

For those just starting out, we suggest reading Coffee and Espresso Brew Ratios

Espresso brewing is a craft that balances science and art, with numerous recipes (ratios) offering distinct flavors, textures, and experiences. This guide explores the 10 most commonly used espresso ratios, detailing their key parameters, techniques, flavor profiles, and ideal applications. Unique charts accompany these recipes and provide a visual reference for coffee enthusiasts.

All data in this guide is adapted from the Visualizer community (Visualizer Coffee).

A normale or what has become a “standard shot” typically features a brew ratio between 1:2 and 1:3. A higher ratio can result in a clearer espresso and a higher extraction percentage.

A typical normale shot may look like 18 grams of coffee in a double basket, yielding 36 grams of espresso liquid within 30 seconds.

• Key Parameters:
• Dose: 18g
• Yield: 36g
• Brew Ratio: 1:2
• Extraction Time: ~30 seconds
• Technique: A classic method balancing dose, yield, and extraction time to achieve a harmonious profile.
• Flavor Profile: Balanced sweetness, acidity, and bitterness; a versatile and crowd-pleasing option.
• Ideal For: Medium roasts; provides a classic espresso experience suitable for milk-based drinks or standalone shots.

A restricted or short ristretto shot is characterized by a brew ratio between 1:1 and 1:1.5.

You can pull single or double ristretto shots, which are simply shots that are stopped early in the brewing process to reach the goal of 1 gram of coffee to 1 gram of liquid.

A 1:1 ristretto shot may look like 14 grams of coffee in a single basket, yielding 14 grams of espresso liquid in your cup. Due to the tight coffee-to-water ratios, ristretto shots are darker, bolder, and richer than other types of espresso shots.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 18g
  • Yield: 18g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:1
• Extraction Time: 15–20 seconds
• Technique: Shortened extraction time with a lower yield, producing a syrupy and concentrated shot.
• Flavor Profile: Intense sweetness and boldness, with reduced bitterness.
• Ideal For: Highlighting the richness and depth of medium to light roasts; perfect for those who enjoy a strong, compact espresso.

A lungo is a larger espresso shot pulled at a higher brew ratio, resulting in a cup twice the size of a regular espresso shot. The ratio of coffee to water in a lungo is typically between 1:3 and 1:4, which may vary depending on the barista or home brewer's taste preference.

A lungo shot is typically used when the barista wants to increase the drink’s clarity. Lungo shots work very well for light-roasted coffees and complex single origins.

A typical lungo shot at a 1:4 ratio may look like 18 grams of coffee into your portafilter, yielding 72 grams of espresso liquid in your cup.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 17–18g
  • Yield: 54g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:3
  • Extraction Time: 45–60 seconds
• Technique: Extended extraction time with a higher water-to-coffee ratio, resulting in a lighter brew.
• Flavor Profile: Milder and more diluted, with subtle bitterness from prolonged extraction.
• Ideal For: Dark roasts, where the longer brew mellows the intensity and bitterness, or for light roasts to improve clarity and slightly mute acidity.

Turbo shots combine rapid brewing with a moderate brew ratio of 1:1.5 to create a vibrant and clean espresso. A typical turbo shot might use 18g of coffee to yield 27g of liquid within 18 seconds, producing bright acidity and pronounced clarity.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 18g
  • Yield: 27g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:1.5
  • Extraction Time: 15–18 seconds
• Technique: Quick extraction with a medium brew ratio, focusing on a vibrant and clean flavor.
• Flavor Profile: Bright and acidic, with pronounced clarity and sweetness.
• Ideal For: Light roasts, emphasizing delicate floral and fruity notes in a compact and dynamic shot.

History of the Turbo shot:

The turbo shot comes from a study that highlights how espresso variability, traditionally attributed to human error, is more significantly influenced by grinder settings and water pressure. By developing a mathematical model and testing it in real settings, the research proposes optimized brewing protocols that reduce coffee waste, lower costs, and improve reproducibility, enabling a 25% reduction in coffee usage per shot.

Turbo shots aim for rapid extraction with a high brew ratio and clarity, aligning with the study's findings that coarser grinds and adjusted pressure enhance extraction efficiency and beverage consistency. The research supports techniques like turbo shots that maximize yield while minimizing waste through improved grind and pressure calibration.

Citation: Hendon, C. H., et al. "Systematically Improving Espresso: Insights from Mathematical Modeling and Experiment" [Link to article]

Blooming espresso incorporates a pre-infusion phase that allows grounds to saturate evenly before full extraction. At a brew ratio of 1:2.5, this method might use 20g of coffee to yield 50–55g of espresso in 60–65 seconds, resulting in a sweet and complex flavor.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 20g
  • Yield: 50–55g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:2.5
  • Extraction Time: 60–65 seconds
• Technique: Incorporates a blooming phase to pre-infuse grounds, promoting even extraction and enhanced sweetness.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and complex, with a balanced mouthfeel and vivid flavors.
• Ideal For: Light roasts, where sweetness and clarity are highly desired.

History of the Blooming Espresso:

Scott Rao's exploration of Advanced Mode on the DE1+ espresso machine laid the foundation for blooming espresso shots by introducing a pause after preinfusion, allowing the water to fully saturate the puck. This technique enhances evenness, reduces bitterness, and increases extraction by up to 1.5%, bringing espresso extraction quality closer to that of filter coffee. The innovation of blooming, inspired by filter brewing methods, is one of the most effective ways to improve both flavor clarity and consistency in espresso preparation.

Citation: Scott Rao, "Advanced Mode on the DE1+ and Blooming Espresso," [link to the article].

Low-pressure espresso uses reduced pressure (around 6 bars) to create a gentler and smoother extraction. This approach might involve 19g of coffee yielding 48g of espresso at a 1:2.5 ratio, highlighting sweetness and reducing bitterness.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 19g
  • Yield: 48g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:2.5
  • Extraction Time: ~34 seconds
  • Pressure: 6 bar
• Technique: Uses reduced pressure during extraction to create a gentler flow and lower intensity.
• Flavor Profile: Smooth and nuanced, with enhanced sweetness and minimal bitterness.
• Ideal For: Medium to dark roasts; perfect for those seeking a softer and more approachable espresso experience.

Gentle and sweet espresso focuses on a slightly extended brew ratio of 1:2.6 to enhance subtle sweetness and a delicate mouthfeel. A recipe could include 15g of coffee yielding 38g of liquid in 43 seconds, ideal for showcasing light roast nuances.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 15g
  • Yield: 38g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:2.6
  • Extraction Time: ~43 seconds
• Technique: Focuses on gentle extraction with a slightly longer brew ratio to highlight sweetness.
• Flavor Profile: Delicate and sweet, with a smooth mouthfeel and mild acidity.
• Ideal For: Light roasts, where sweetness and subtle flavor nuances shine.

Blooming allongé combines pre-infusion with a high brew ratio of 1:5, resulting in a tea-like espresso with intricate floral and fruity notes. A typical recipe may use 17.9g of coffee to yield 90g of liquid in 64 seconds.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 17.9g
  • Yield: 90g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:5
  • Extraction Time: ~64 seconds
• Technique: Combines a blooming phase with a lungo-style extraction to create a tea-like espresso.
• Flavor Profile: Light and tea-like, with complex floral and fruity notes.
• Ideal For: Light roasts, offering an alternative brew style that emphasizes clarity and brightness.

Deep-blending espresso achieves a rich and full-bodied profile by using a robust dose and moderate yield at a 1:1.9 ratio. This recipe might use 20g of coffee to yield 38g of espresso in just 20 seconds, offering a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 20g
  • Yield: 38g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:1.9
  • Extraction Time: 20 seconds
• Technique: Uses a robust dose and a moderate yield to balance sweetness and acidity.
• Flavor Profile: Rich and full-bodied, with a harmonious blend of sweetness and acidity.
• Ideal For: Light to medium roasts; excellent for those seeking a bold, flavorful espresso with depth.

Extractamundo Dos! features a high brew ratio of 1:3 to create a smooth and mellow espresso. A typical shot might involve 18g of coffee yielding 54g of liquid in 53 seconds, offering a balanced profile with mild acidity and subtle sweetness.

• Key Parameters:
  • Dose: 18g
  • Yield: 54g
  • Brew Ratio: 1:3
  • Extraction Time: 53 seconds
• Technique: Features a high brew ratio and moderate extraction time, creating a smooth and balanced profile.
• Flavor Profile: Mellow and approachable, with mild acidity and subtle sweetness.
• Ideal For: Medium roasts; great for those looking for an espresso that blends well with milk or stands alone.