Ristretto coffee: All about this strong cup of coffee

Do you love coffee with lots of flavour but don’t need a big cup? Then ristretto coffee is an interesting choice. This coffee is known for its intense character and full aroma, while surprisingly tasting smooth.

Here you’ll read exactly what ristretto coffee is, how its flavour stands out, and how to brew a good ristretto yourself.

What is a ristretto coffee?

A ristretto coffee is a very short coffee specialty made with the same amount of ground coffee as an espresso, but with less water. While an espresso typically contains around 25 to 30 ml, a ristretto usually measures about 15 to 20 ml.

The name ristretto comes from Italian and means ‘restricted’. This refers to the limited amount of water that passes through the coffee during brewing. Because the extraction is shorter, mainly the first flavour compounds are released. This results in a concentrated coffee with lots of aroma and a full flavour, without bitterness dominating.

Ristretto is often seen as the purest form of espresso-like coffee. Small in size, but rich in flavour.

How does a ristretto taste?

A ristretto has an intense and concentrated flavour, but is often less bitter than you might expect. Since only the first part of the extraction is used, the rich aromas and smooth flavour compounds come forward.

You’ll often taste deep coffee notes with a full body and a slight sweetness. Depending on the coffee beans used, there may be hints of chocolate, nuts or even a subtle fruity accent. It’s precisely this combination of strength and balance that makes ristretto so popular with coffee lovers who enjoy lots of flavour in a small cup.

Ristretto, espresso and lungo: the differences

The main difference between ristretto, espresso and lungo is the amount of water used during brewing. A ristretto is made with the least water, followed by espresso, then lungo.

Because of this, ristretto is the smallest and most concentrated, espresso is a bit fuller and balanced, and lungo is larger and milder in flavour. Which you choose mainly depends on how much intensity and volume you prefer in your cup.

Read more about the differences between ristretto, espresso and lungo.

How do you brew a ristretto coffee?

You brew a ristretto with the same amount of ground coffee as an espresso, but with less water. This means the water passes through the coffee for a shorter time, giving you a small, concentrated cup.

Here’s how to brew a ristretto:

  • Use 7 to 9 grams of ground coffee
  • Let about 15 to 20 ml of water run through
  • Keep a short extraction time of about 15 to 20 seconds

You brew a ristretto with an espresso machine or a fully automatic machine. Many machines have a ristretto setting, but you can also manually stop the extraction earlier for the right result.

Which coffee beans are suitable for ristretto?

Because ristretto is so short and concentrated, the coffee beans play a big role in the flavour. Beans that are roasted too dark can quickly taste sharp or bitter in such a small cup.

For ristretto, you preferably choose:

Cafe du Jour Espresso Madrugador Madrugador Cafe du Jour Ethiopia coffee beans Ethiopia Cafe du Jour Brazil coffee beans Brazil Cafe du Jour South America coffee beans South America Cafe du Jour Aurora Mundo coffee beans Aurora Mundo

Beans that are specially suitable for espresso often work well for ristretto too, as long as the roast isn’t too dark. By trying different espresso beans, you’ll quickly notice which flavour suits your way of drinking coffee best.

Frequently asked questions about ristretto coffee
What is the difference between a ristretto and an espresso?
A ristretto is made with less water than an espresso. As a result, it is smaller in size and more concentrated in flavour.
Is a ristretto stronger than an espresso?
Ristretto tastes more intense, but does not necessarily contain more caffeine. Due to the shorter extraction, the amount of caffeine is often comparable or even slightly lower.
How many ml is a ristretto?
A ristretto usually contains between 15 and 20 ml of coffee. That is about half of an espresso.
Does a ristretto contain more caffeine than an espresso?
Because the water passes through the coffee for a shorter time, less caffeine is often extracted.
Can I make a ristretto with a fully automatic coffee machine?
Many bean-to-cup machines have a ristretto setting. You can also stop the extraction earlier manually.
Which grind do you use for a ristretto?
Use a fine grind, similar to espresso. This will give you enough flavour in the short extraction time.
Can you also drink a ristretto as a double coffee?
A double ristretto is often drunk. You then get more volume with the same intense flavour.
Do you always drink your ristretto without milk?
Traditionally yes, but you can also add milk to it. Bear in mind that the flavour will then quickly become less pronounced.
Which coffee beans are most suitable for ristretto?
Beans with a medium to medium-dark roast work well. They provide enough body without harsh bitterness.