If you’re a coffee lover, your daily coffee routine probably involves stops at the local café for an espresso and the office kitchen for a cup of joe. But what happens when you’re out of town or working from home and don’t have access to an espresso machine? Can you make espresso without an espresso machine?
You can use an AeroPress, Moka pot, or French press to make a solid espresso substitute if you don’t have a machine. You’ll also need coffee beans, a grinder (if your beans aren’t already ground), and boiling water. Within minutes, you’ll be sipping on a delicious cup of espresso-like coffee.
Almost every coffee beverage starts with a shot of espresso, mixed with steamed milk or shaken with ice (or both). So, even if you aren’t a die-hard espresso drinker, there’s a good chance you’ll still find yourself in need of a quick espresso shot to make your favorite cappuccino, latte, or Americano. Let’s find out how to make espresso without a machine using three popular coffee brewing tools.
Can You Make Espresso Without an Espresso Machine?

The answer is yes! While an espresso machine is designed specifically for making cafe-quality espresso, there are a few other ways to make a decent cup of coffee without one.
Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. Typically, an espresso machine uses 130.5 PSI (9 bar) of pressure to push the water through the coffee beans, resulting in a shot of espresso.
While you can’t recreate this sort of pressure without an espresso machine, you can still use a few other methods to make a strong cup of coffee that’ll be very similar to espresso. The most popular methods for DIYing espresso at home are an AeroPress, Moka pot, and a French press.
Keep in mind that these methods aren’t perfect replicas of espresso. But they can still produce a rich, flavorful cup of coffee to satisfy your espresso cravings.
How to Make Espresso Using an AeroPress
The AeroPress (on Amazon) is a small, lightweight, and portable coffee brewing device that makes one cup of coffee at a time. It’s perfect for making an espresso on the go. Here’s your step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Heat Water and Grind Coffee Beans
First, you’ll need to heat up some water. Bring it to a boil and let it sit for 30 seconds to allow it to cool slightly. While the water is heating up, grind your coffee beans. You’ll want to use a fine grind for this method (but not too fine).
Once done, place the filter in the cap and twist it onto the brew chamber. Screw the chamber onto the plunger and place it on top of your mug.
Step 2: Add Coffee Grounds and Water
Carefully add two tablespoons of coffee grounds to the brew chamber. Tap the sides of the chamber so that the grounds settle evenly.
Then tamp (press) the coffee grounds using a muddler or use the plunger. Next, slowly pour in your heated water until it reaches just below the black line on the chamber. Let the coffee steep for 20-30 seconds.
Step 3: Press the Plunger Slowly
Put the lid on and twist on the plunger. Push down slowly but firmly, applying even pressure throughout. It should take about 20-30 seconds to press all the liquid through.
Once all the liquid has been pressed, remove the plunger assembly and discard the used grounds. Stir your delicious espresso and enjoy.
How to Make Espresso Using a Moka Pot
The Moka pot (on Amazon) is an Italian stovetop coffee maker that produces espresso-like coffee by passing hot water pressurized by steam through ground coffee. If you’re willing to give it a try, here’s your guide:
Step 1: Fill the Base of the Moka Pot with Water
Separate the top part of the Moka pot from the base and fill the base with cold water. Make sure not to fill it more than halfway up the sides of the pot. Too much water will result in weak coffee, so be careful not to overdo it.
Step 2: Add Ground Coffee to the Filter Basket
Well-ground dark roast coffee works best for this method, but it’s not necessary; feel free to use whatever kind of coffee you like best. Add your ground coffee to the filter basket in the middle of the pot. Shake the pot a little bit, so the grounds settle evenly but don’t tamp them down.
Step 3: Screw on the Top and Place the Pot on the Stove
Screw on the top half of the pot. Make sure it’s tight, and that the valve is in a closed position. If left open, it’ll lose the pressure during the brew, and you’ll end up with weak coffee. Next, place the pot on the stove over medium heat.
Step 4: Wait for the Coffee to Come Up
As the water in the base of the pot heats up, it’ll start to produce steam. The steam will travel up to the top chamber where the coffee grounds are located and start to force the water up. You’ll know it’s ready when you see the coffee coming out of the center spout and into the top chamber.
Step 5: Remove From the Stove and Pour

Once the boiling sound subsides, and you can see coffee bubbling out, it’s time to take the pot off the heat. Let it sit for 30-60 seconds to settle, then open the valve to release any remaining pressure. Pour your espresso into a mug and enjoy.
How to Make Espresso Using a French Press
You may not get the crema and body of espresso using a French press (on Amazon). But it’s still possible to make a rich and flavorful cup of coffee. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Boil Water and Grind Coffee Beans
As always, start by boiling water and grinding your coffee beans. You’ll want to use a medium-fine grind for this method since the French press doesn’t filter out the fine coffee grounds well.
Step 2: Add Coffee Grounds to the French Press
Add your coffee grounds to the French press. Pour a little hot water over the grounds and leave it for about 30 seconds to bloom. This allows the coffee to degas and results in a better extraction.
Step 3: Add the Rest of the Water and Steep
After blooming, pour in the rest of your hot water and give it a quick stir, so that the grounds are fully saturated. Put the lid on, but don’t press down just yet. This time, leave the coffee to steep for 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Push Down on the Plunger
First, push down slowly until the plunger reaches the halfway point. Then, lift it back up and push it down again with a bit more force. Doing this helps distribute the pressure evenly, resulting in fewer coffee sediments in your cup. Pour your coffee into a mug and enjoy.