What is a doppio espresso (double espresso)?

A doppio espresso, or double espresso, contains on average 60 millilitres of coffee. That’s double the amount of a regular espresso, with an extra intense flavour and a double shot of caffeine. More and more coffee lovers are choosing a doppio as their standard, but what exactly is it, how do you make it, and how does it differ from other variants?

The word doppio means “double” in Italian. For a doppio you use about 36 to 40 grams of ground coffee, from which you extract around 60 ml of espresso in 25 to 30 seconds.

The double espresso is not only popular in cafés but also at home. Many baristas choose a doppio as the standard base for cappuccino or flat white, because the extra volume creates a better balance between coffee and milk.

Read more about the extraction time of an espresso.

How do you make a doppio espresso?

You make a doppio espresso with ±36–40 grams of coffee, yielding about 60 ml in 25–30 seconds. Want to make a double espresso at home? Then you need an espresso machine with a double filter holder (also called a “double basket”).

Here’s how to make a doppio:

1. Preheat your machine, filter holder and cup well.
2. Grind 36 to 40 grams of coffee beans finely, specially suited for espresso.
3. Fill the double filter holder and tamp the coffee firmly with a tamper.
4. Rinse the group head briefly for a clean, warm extraction.
5. Place the filter holder and start immediately. Let the espresso run until you reach about 60 ml.
6. Stop on time (after ±25–30 seconds) to avoid over-extraction.

If you use a fully automatic machine, you can often select the “double espresso” or “extra shot” option, where the machine uses the right amount of coffee twice.

How many ml and how much caffeine does a doppio espresso contain?

A doppio espresso contains on average 60 ml of coffee and between 120 and 150 mg of caffeine.

Because a double espresso is made with twice as much coffee as a single espresso, it also contains twice as much caffeine. Where a standard espresso usually contains between 60 and 75 mg of caffeine, a doppio quickly reaches around 130 mg, depending on the type of espresso bean and the roast.

For coffee drinkers looking for a strong kick, the doppio is a logical choice. Still, it remains a concentrated drink, so you drink it in a small cup, usually without milk or sugar.

Note: do you drink multiple doppios per day? Then you quickly consume a significant amount of caffeine.

Read more about the amount of mg caffeine in other coffee drinks.

A doppio espresso, or double espresso, is not just a larger coffee but a more intense flavour experience in double size. With about 60 ml and a powerful amount of caffeine, it’s the favourite for those who want that little bit extra in their cup.