Ristretto vs Espresso vs Lungo: The Difference

Suppose you’re an aspiring coffee drinker who’s only beginning to explore the realm of the cafe. In that case, it’s possible to be confused by all the terms and drinks commonly utilized by coffee enthusiasts.

In this article, I’ll help you understand the fray by examining the ristretto vs espresso vs lungo differences.

You can prepare the three coffees by using an espresso machine. However, they differ in quantity, strength, weight, and volume.

Which is the one with more caffeine? A lungo or espresso? What is a ristretto vs long shot?

What’s the proper ratio of water to coffee for a lungo? And are there any differences between this “stretched” coffee drink and double espresso?

Are you already intrigued?

Let’s not procrastinate any longer. Let’s start.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. How To Make a Ristretto?
2. How To Make Long Shot?
3. Ristretto vs Espresso vs Lungo: The Differences
4. Long Shot vs Ristretto
5. Lungo vs Espresso
6. Lungo vs Double Espresso
7. Ristretto vs Espresso
8. Ristretto vs Espresso vs Lungo with Nespresso Pods

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How To Make A Ristretto?

When making a ristretto, each cafe will make it slightly differently. Some Baristas will cut the espresso shot halfway through, with the goal of an average brew time of 15 seconds and the yield to be 20 grams.

Other cafes grind it more finely and create more resistance to the water, thereby preserving the 30-second time limit for a 20-gram cup of Ristretto.

Although there aren’t any absolute rules or guidelines, most coffee enthusiasts will accept a 1:1 or 1:1.5 ratio of brew for their Ristretto shot. It is equal to 18 grams in the espresso machine and then pulling 18-27 grams of Ristretto. It is comparable to the standard espresso, more like a 1:1 ratio.

How To Make Long Shot?

Similar to the Ristretto, the exact details for lungos don’t exist.

Some baristas prefer to grind smaller for their long shots, which allows the extraction of 54 grams to be completed in the normal 30-second timeframe.

Some prefer to keep their grinds similar to what they would do for espresso shots taking the shot for up to 40 minutes. There’s no true black and white in preparing long shots.

Ristretto vs Espresso vs Lungo: The Differences

Espresso, Ristretto, and Lungo shots are made by running high-pressured water through freshly ground and tamped coffee. The pressure results in an encrusted layer that is perfect to put over these drinks.

What distinguishes these drinks is their coffee to water ratio.

Other differences between Espresso, Ristretto, and Lungo 

Ristretto is more intense and contains the most robust flavor because it’s prepared with the least water.

A lungo is one of the biggest in terms of weight and volume and contains the most caffeine. The Lungo, however, is lighter in body and is the weakest when it comes to flavor compared to a ristretto and an espresso.

Ristretto vs Espresso vs Lungo: The Differences	RISTRETTO	ESPRESSO	LUNGO
Coffee to Water Ration	1:1-1.5	1:2-2.5	1:2.5-4.5
Water Volume	~15ml	~30ml	~60ml
Flavor Intensity	High	Medium	Low
Caffeine Content	33mg	64mg	80mg
Texture	High	Medium	Low
Volume	15ml	30ml	40 to 60 ml
Taste	Concentrated, bolder flavor with a sweet finish, more crema	bold deep flavor, rich aroma, and a rich, powerful crema	less murky and less intense, more palem thinner crema, milder flavor
Extraction Time	12-15 seconds	20-30 seconds	40-60 seconds
Grind Size	Fine (0.3mm)	Fine (0.3mm)	Fine (0.3mm)

Water is the solvent used to dissolve coffee oils, caffeine, flavors, and smells.

The more hot water you use, the greater extract of the coffee.

So ristretto, espresso, and lungo are not just different in terms of volume and weight but also in their texture, strength, and caffeine content.

Ratio, Volume, Weight & Strength

Ristretto Shot

A ristretto is smaller but stronger (in regards to flavor) coffee than espresso.

It’s prepared by passing smaller amounts of pressured water over the coffee puck.

The ratio of ristretto differs from 1:1 to 1:1.5.

A shot of ristretto, prepared using 16 grams of coffee ground, typically weighs between 32 and 40 grams and volume from 16ml to 25-30ml.

When we speak about brew ratio, we usually talk about weight, not volume. The quantity of your espresso, ristretto, or lungo can vary from one shot to the next regardless of whether they’re made from the same amount of ground coffee and water.

What about the crema in the coffee?

The amount of the crema is different depending on how fresh the coffee beans were roasted. Thus, the fresher the beans, the better the crema.

Also, the word “crema” can comprise a substantial part of the drink volume.

So the weight of your drink reveals much more information regarding the extraction process and is an excellent ratio measurement.

Compared to espresso and lungo, a ristretto shot is usually made using the finest coffee beans, followed by a rich flavor and a strong mouthfeel.

Espresso Shot

Most often, espresso shots are created using a 1:2 to 1:2.5 ratio.

If your dry dose of coffee is 16 grams, you will get an espresso shot that ranges from 32-40 grams.

The time of extraction, the size of the grind and the amount of pressured water that goes through the grinds vary based on the kind of beans you’re using and their taste characteristics.

When deciding to add an espresso shot, the barista chooses the ratio of coffee to water that gives the most tasting, balanced flavor.

Lungo Shot

A lungo is made using the largest amount of water and has a ratio from 1:2.5 up to 1:4.5 (sometimes even greater).

That implies that an espresso shot of 16 grams of ground coffee could weigh at least 56 grams.

“Lungo” actually refers to “long” in Italian. The coffee drink is called “stretched” since you’re stretching the regular espresso by pushing more water over the grounded coffee.

While it’s not the most flavorful in terms of intensity, it has more caffeine than an espresso or a ristretto.

The more water flows through the coffee grounds, the more caffeine is removed and absorbed into your drink.

Many coffee enthusiasts don’t like the lungo because it isn’t a body-building drink. It’s sloppy and frequently over-extracted with bitter, unpleasant notes.

Using more hot water when using this kind of coffee beans will enhance the extraction of subtle floral and fruity notes. It also helps to balance the acidity.

This makes for a complex cup of lungo coffee that has well-balanced flavors.

Long Shot vs Ristretto

A ristretto and a long shot are both espressos. However, a ristretto uses less water and short extraction time to produce a more concentrated liquid than a regular espresso. Long shots require more water and have a longer extraction time for less concentrated coffee.

Long shots are a bit different than the Ristretto. In this case, more water is added to the brew, and then it’s pulled for the same or slightly more extended time as an espresso. Long shots may also be called a lungo, Caffe lungo, and Café allonge. The standard ratio for a Long shot is 1:3.

Ristretto is an Italian word meaning “restricted.” The water in a certain amount is forced into the ground coffee for a shorter period than a standard shot. The standard ratio for Ristretto is 1:1.

Long Shot Flavor Profile compared to Ristretto

Some flavors of the long shot don’t exist in ristretto or espresso shots. Because there is more water in this coffee, its flavors are less distinct.

While it has a less pronounced flavor than a ristretto drink, a long shot has more caffeine than Ristretto. This is due to the longer extraction time.

The ideal scenario is to have a long shot, which is less dense and muddy than its shorter counterpart, the Ristretto. A long shot, or “lungo,” can allow you to taste the original flavors of your beans.

Lungo vs Espresso

LUNGO VS ESPRESSO: DIFFERENCES	LUNGO	ESPRESSO
DRY DOSE-TO-WATER RATIO	1:3	1:2
DRY DOSE	9g	7-9g
EXTRACTION TIME	40-60 seconds	20-30 seconds
CAFFEINE CONTENT	80mg	64mg
TASTE	bitter flavor, less murky and less intense	bold deep flavor, rich aroma, and a rich, powerful crema

There are three significant differences between Lungo vs Espresso: taste, quantity, and caffeine content. 

Taste

The taste may differ due to the different extraction time. Because the extraction process takes longer for lungos, it is generally an unpleasant, bitter flavor than Espresso. It doesn’t possess the same intense flavor as Espresso because it’s not as concentrated. 

Espresso is known for its bold deep flavor, a rich aroma, and a rich, powerful crema. Espresso has a distinct taste due to the lesser quantity of water that is forced through the grounds of coffee. It’s the most enjoyable aspect of the espresso shot.

Quantity

You will use more than twice as much water for a Lungo shot, which means their volume is more than a regular espresso. A standard shot contains approximately one ounce of Espresso. A lungo shot is made up of two pounds.

Caffeine Content

A lungo has higher levels of caffeine (80mg) than standard Espresso (64mg). The longer the Espresso has pulled, the more caffeine it contains.

Lungo vs Double Espresso

What is Lungo? 

Lungo (Italian for “long”) is a coffee drink using more water (its ratio 1:3) which results in more coffee, or it’s a lungo.

A standard espresso will take anywhere from 18 to 30 seconds to pull and has a volume of 25-60ml. However, a lungo could take as long as a minute to pull and fill between 130 and 170 ml. The extraction time for Long shot depends on three main components:

• the type of the coffee bean (usually blended with Arabica or Robusta) 
• the grind size
• the pressure applied to the coffee maker. 

What is a Double (or doppio) Espresso?

Traditionally, to prepare a single espresso shot, you will need 7 to 9 grams of dry coffee.

“Double” or “doppio” refers to the amount of a coffee dose used to make shots.

Double shots of Espresso are made in the double filter basket. A double basket typically contains 14 to 16 grams of coffee grounds (some baskets can hold up to 20 grams). 

With the help of double baskets with two spouts, you can make two single shots or one double.

Depending on the coffee grounds to water ratio, and if you use the double basket, you can have double ristretto, double Espresso, and a double lungo (depending upon the proportion).

What is the difference between Lungo vs Double Espresso?

An individual lungo that is comprised of 7 grams of dry dose would weigh approximately 28 grams. 

A double espresso shot composed of 14 grams dry dose will weigh about 28 grams.

While the quantities of the drinks are similar, there could be some differences concerning their mouthfeels, caffeine levels, and overall taste.

Double espresso shots will be more textured with a more robust flavor and more caffeine when compared to one lungo shot.

The barista needs to grind slightly coarser to prevent over-extraction for the ideal lungo. However, grinding adjustment isn’t always available in crowded coffee shops. 

Ristretto vs Espresso

There are two most popular coffee cups: Espresso and Ristretto.

Espresso and Ristretto are two different methods of making coffee. 

Ristretto is a stronger and shorter espresso made using lower pressure and more water.

Both are excellent coffee brewing methods. The choice you make will depend on which one you prefer, the more powerful, intense flavor of espresso or the delicate taste of Ristretto.

The main thing that differentiates these two varieties is how much water they use to prepare them for brewing. They use the exact quantity of coffee to make incredible coffee.

RISTRETTO VS ESPRESSO: DIFFERENCES	RISTRETTO	ESPRESSO
DRY DOSE-TO-WATER RATIO	1:1	1:2
DRY DOSE	7-8g	7-9g
EXTRACTION TIME	12-15 seconds	20-30 seconds
CAFFEINE CONTENT	33mg	64mg
TASTE	Concentrated, bolder flavor with a sweet finish, more crema	bold deep flavor, rich aroma, and a rich, powerful crema

Ristretto vs Espresso Taste

The most significant distinction between espresso and ristretto coffee is their taste.

The body, also known as mouthfeel, is determined by the taste of green coffee, roast styles, and the brewing method. 

Depending on the extraction time, you will have different aroma compounds and flavors. In the beginning, you’ll find mild flavorings (think the cold brew) followed by sweetness, acidity, balance, and then bitterness. 

Thus, when you drink Ristretto, you limit how many bitter components could appear. It’s supposed to be a more sweet and more potent drink.

Coffees that are not extracted properly can be acidic and unpleasant. Therefore, you have to achieve the ideal balance. You must control the size of the grind and the time of brewing to achieve the most sweetness from the coffee.

It’s important to remember that coffee’s acidity isn’t necessarily an indication of a bad coffee. In reality, lighter roasts are more likely to be more acidic as they allow a more significant amount of coffee to shine, whether fruity or floral. 

How much liquid do Ristretto vs Espresso contain?

Espresso and Ristretto are two names of two types of coffee. Although both drinks have the same components, they are pretty different.

The quantity of water that flows through your coffee beans will determine the amount of liquid gold you can consume. The coffee amount when you produce it is as follows:

• The Ristretto contains 15 to 25ml.
• An Espresso shot contains 25 – 30ml.

The amount of liquid can vary based on how long your barista allows the water to flow across the cup. It is a good estimation of the total amount of fluid they can contain.

Ristretto vs Espresso vs Lungo with Nespresso Pods

If you own a Nespresso machine, you could be wondering about the differences between their lungo, espresso, and ristretto pods.

It all comes down to how much water you will use for each of these.

Following regular coffee preperation Nespresso’s instructions, the cup weight is:

• Ristretto – 25 ml / 0.84 oz
• Espresso – 40 ml / 1.35 oz
• Lungo – 110 ml / 3.7 oz
• Americano – 25 ml / 0.84 oz coffee; 125 ml / 4.2 oz hot water

Also, programming the water volume for those coffee capsules is:

• Ristretto – 15 to 30 ml / 0.5 to 1 oz
• Espresso – 30 to 70 ml / 1 to 2.33 oz
• Lungo – 70 to 130 ml / 2.33 to 3 oz
• Americano – coffee 15 to 110 ml / 0.5 to 3.7 oz, and hot water 25 to 300 ml / 0.84 to 10.1 oz

The Nespresso company prepared these coffee blends pods with the needed ratio and extraction time.

So, if you purchase a pod from Nespresso and then brew it as lungo, you could be disappointed with its watery and bitter coffee taste. However, buying a lungo pod won’t be good if you like a more intense coffee flavor. 

Nespresso pods come with an intensity chart ranging between 1 and 13.

The intensity levels measure the amount of flavor the pod is capable of creating. It will be better to choose a higher number to get more mouthfeel, texture, and flavor intensity.

However, be aware that the power of the Nespresso capsule is a bit limited.

The quantity of Original, as well as VertuoLine pods, varies from 5 to 13 grams.

For instance, the lungo pods from the OriginalLine weigh around 7 grams.

When you’re creating a lungo using coffee machines, you’ll have a minimum of 20 grams of ground coffee to make this size serving.

So a Nespresso cup coffee made with the lungo pod is very different from an authentic lungo shot made at a coffee shop.

How to make ristretto and espresso with a Nespresso machine?

Did you know you could make delicious Ristretto using the espresso button on the Nespresso machine? Do you know how to use the Nespresso machine to make the perfect cup of coffee?

It is not the case that all Nespresso machines come with three buttons that can make coffee. The most common buttons are for espresso and lungo. On larger and more expensive models, there are also ristretto buttons.

The run-through time may differ from machine devices. It is possible to calculate the time it will take to brew Ristretto by cutting in half the time required to make espresso using your machine.

Follow the steps below to prepare a ristretto drink at home with the Nespresso machine:

1. Switch on the machine and make sure that sufficient water is available in your reservoir.
2. Take a cup of coffee and place it on top of the coffee maker.
3. Make sure you press the Espresso button in your machine without adding a cup of coffee (if you do not have a Ristretto option). The machine will be cleaned free of coffee particles and then pre-heat.
4. Throw water and place a cup that you like on the tray.
5. Note that you can “stop” the machine from pressing the button again. By pressing the button, you’ll be able to instruct the device to cease running fluid through it.
6. After filling your coffee cup, press the espresso button, and then wait.
7. Press the button again (the “stop” option) after 7 to 8 seconds. The result will be a nice cup of Ristretto.