Your Step-by-Step Guide to French Press Espresso

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to make espresso without an expensive espresso machine, then you’re in luck!

Today’s post is all about how you can use a French press coffee maker to make an espresso shot.

Although true coffee purists will likely argue with me about how you can’t have true espresso without at least 9 bars of pressure, I’m a realist.

I love coffee but I’m also a working mom. 

Spending half the day making one shot of espresso only to spend the other half cleaning the machine doesn’t sound appealing. 

I would rather spend my time coming up with easy, tasty copycat recipes and helpful coffee-inspired content for other busy moms.

And in fact, a French press can make the perfect espresso for all kinds of fancy coffee drinks that you can make in your kitchen.

No drive-thru required!

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Table of Contents

What is Espresso, Technically?

Espresso is a brewing method that uses high pressure (typically 9 bars or more) to force hot water through finely ground coffee in a short amount of time, producing a robust flavor with a signature crema on top.

While a French press won’t give you that exact high-pressure extraction, it can produce a bold, rich coffee concentrate that’s perfect for homemade lattes, mochas, and more. 

Think of it as a “realistic espresso alternative” for real-life mornings, afternoons, and anytime in between.

Why use a French Press Instead of an Espresso Machine?

I could go on and on about why I feel the French press is superior to an espresso machine but for the sake of time, have limited it to four basic reasons: price tag, cleanup, counter space, and versatility.

Budget-Friendly

You’d be hard pressed to find a good espresso machine for less than $50.

But I purchased my French press for less than $45.

With the versatility, fresh coffee taste, and ease-of-use, it’s tough to imagine why you’d want a fancy machine.

Unless you just have money to burn in which case you and I probably don’t have too much in common!

Easy Cleanup with French Press Espresso

Although not all French presses are dishwasher safe, this is one of the main conditions I have when bringing some new utensil into the kitchen.

It MUST be dishwasher safe. 

In the case of the French press, I simply dump the coffee grounds in the garbage, rinse it, then put it in the dishwasher. 

And because you’re cleaning it every day, you never get that sour taste that you do after doing the vinegar rinse in a regular drip coffee maker. 

Your coffee always tastes fresh whether you’ve had the French press 1 day or 3 years!

Saves Counter Space

As a mom, there’s nothing that gives me anxiety quite like clutter.

Although I’ve come to accept that my family doesn’t share this particular quirk, I still like to exert control over certain spaces in the house with the kitchen being one of them.

One of the best things about the French press is that unlike a traditional espresso machine, the French press takes up almost no space.

And if I really want to hide it, I can just pop it in the dishwasher.

It’s seriously the best coffee invention ever!

Versatile

Aside from all the espresso drinks, you can use your French press for making a rich cup of coffee.

I love French press coffee because it contains extra oils that are often filtered out with regular brewed coffee.

The extra oils give it a more robust coffee flavor than you’ll find with other brew methods.

What You’ll Need to Make French Press Espresso

• A French press 
• Freshly ground coffee (medium-coarse grind)
• Hot water

Step-By-Step French Press Espresso

1. Add Coffee Grounds to the French Press: Use about 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 1 cup of water. This is a stronger ratio than regular French press coffee to mimic espresso strength.
2. Bloom the Grounds: Pour just enough hot water to saturate the grounds. Let sit for 30 seconds. This step enhances the flavor.
3. Pour in the Rest of the Water: Slowly add your hot water up to your desired amount.
4. Steep: Cover with the lid (plunger up) and let it steep for about 4-6 minutes.
5. Press Slowly: Press the plunger down slowly and evenly.
6. Serve and Enjoy! Use this rich coffee shot in place of espresso in your favorite drinks.

Pro Tips for Better Results with French Press Espresso

• Grind Matters: Too coarse and it’ll be weak, too fine and it’ll clog the press. Aim for a texture just a bit finer than drip coffee.
• Filtered Water: Better water = better coffee.
• Warm Your Mug: Keeps your drink hot longer and makes it feel extra cozy.
• Want More Foaminess? Stir vigorously before plunging to get a crema-like effect.

Espresso-Inspired Drinks to Try

Coming up with new coffee creations is one of my favorite things to do!

Sometimes I’m inspired by big-chain coffee shops and sometimes ideas for new recipes come up during chats with my friends.

But it’s always fun to experiment with something new!

Here are a few recipes to get your creative juices flowing with your new-found gadget!

• The Ultimate Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Latte
• DIY Caribou Honey Lavender Shaker
• How to Craft the Perfect Mint Chocolate Affogato 
• Cozy Honey Cinnamon Latte with Oat Milk Recipe
• How to Make an Easy Nondairy Cinnamon Roll Latte
• Copycat Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Recipe
• How to Make a Savory Cranberry Dark Chocolate Latte

Mom Life Pro Tips

Let’s be honest—mom life doesn’t stop just because you want a good cup of coffee. Between diaper changes, Zoom meetings, snack requests, and laundry piles, finding time for a proper espresso moment is almost laughable. That’s why I’m sharing a few of my go-to mom hacks to keep your French press espresso routine quick, easy, and chaos-proof:

☕Pre-Grind Your Coffee

• If mornings are a blur (and let’s be real, they usually are), grind your coffee beans the night before and store them in an airtight container. Bonus: your kitchen will smell amazing when you open it in the morning!

💡Use a Gooseneck Kettle with Auto Shut-Off

• This might sound fancy but hear me out – it heats water fast and lets you pour with precision (even while holding a toddler on your hip). The auto shut-off is a must when your brain’s running on 20% battery. Find it on Amazon.

🧺Multitask While it Steeps

• While your coffee is steeping, knock out a quick chore – unload the dishwasher, toss in a load of laundry, or just take a few deep breaths in silence. That 4-6 minute window is prime mom multitasking time.

🌿Batch Brew for Sanity

• If you know it’s gonna be a day (hello teething, tantrums, or tight deadlines), make a double batch of French press espresso and stash the extra in the fridge for an iced coffee drink later. Future-you will thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ways to make espresso without an espresso machine?

The French press is my favorite but you can use an Aeropress or even a moka pot to make a concentrated coffee drink very similar to espresso.

Can you use tap water to make French press espresso?

Yes. Remember that your coffee will only be as good as each of the ingredients, so if you don’t like the taste of your tap water, you likely won’t like a cup of coffee made with your tap water either.

Does French press espresso have a strong coffee flavor?

Thanks to the ratio of coffee to water, French press espresso does have a rich flavor very similar to espresso made with a traditional brewing process.

Coffee lovers will argue that French press espresso doesn’t have exactly the same taste or crema but if you’re flavoring it with milk and flavor syrup, it works as well as espresso made in a fancy machine.

The rich flavour of French press espresso will hold up with milk, flavor syrup, and even added ice if it’s an iced latte.

Whether you’re on a budget or simply hate cleaning your espresso machine like I do, the French press is a good starting point for home brewing!

Can you put a French press in the dishwasher?

Some French presses are dishwasher safe but not all are so make sure to check your specific model.

This French press is dishwasher safe so check it out if you’re on the market for one. 

Can you make regular coffee with a French press?

Absolutely! The French press makes amazing coffee! 

In fact, it’s how I prefer my morning brew and discovering this handy little gadget a few years ago was life-changing for me. 

Although I’m a huge fan of this brewing method, some people don’t like French press coffee because you can get grounds in your cup.

If this is an issue for you, I recommend straining your brew through a coffee filter before drinking it.

What kind of coffee should you use to make French press espresso?

Dark roast coffee works well as do espresso beans ground prior to adding them to the French press. 

You can use whatever type of coffee you want and as long as you follow the above coffee-to-water ratio, you will have a robust flavored espresso brew.

I’ve even used flavored coffee to enhance my coffee beverages without added sugar and it’s worked well when following the above directions.

Final Thoughts on French Press Espresso

Coffee doesn’t have to be complicated. If you love espresso-style drinks but don’t want to invest in a big machine, French press espresso is perfect for you.

Try it out, experiment with flavors, and most importantly—enjoy every sip. And if you end up making one of these drinks, tag me! I’d love to see your homemade coffee creations.

Until next time, keep it simple and happy sipping!