A double espresso, or doppio , is a staple in coffee shops and cappuccino recipes. Yet, there's often confusion about the exact amount: how many milliliters should a double espresso actually be, and why isn't that the same everywhere?
The short answer: a double espresso is typically 50 to 60 milliliters. In practice, baristas can deviate from this, as flavor, roast, and brewing method all influence the final volume. In this article, we'll explain the origins of this variation and how to create a good double espresso yourself.
The base: 50 to 60 milliliters
A single espresso typically yields 25 to 30 milliliters. A double espresso, therefore, is roughly twice that volume. This might seem obvious, but it's not just about the water: the dosage in the portafilter also doubles.
While a single espresso uses 7 to 9 grams of coffee, a double espresso uses 14 to 18 grams. The brew time remains essentially the same, averaging 25 to 30 seconds. The difference lies in the amount of coffee and the flavor development.
Why There Is No Exact Number
The 50 to 60 milliliter serving is a guideline, not a hard and fast rule. Baristas focus on ratios, not milliliters. The most common ratio is 1:2:
18 grams of coffee in the portafilter yields approximately 36 grams of espresso.
The ratio says more about the quality of the result than the number of milliliters, because crema (the foam layer) can affect the volume. Therefore, 36 grams of espresso in a cup can actually seem like 45 to 60 milliliters, depending on the coffee, machine, and roast.
What causes the differences?
Coffee type and roast
Lightly roasted beans often benefit from a slightly higher yield, as they reveal more complexity with a longer extraction time. Darkly roasted beans develop intensity more quickly and can more easily maintain their balance with a shorter yield.
The machine and brewing method
Professional espresso machines often create a richer crema, which visually increases the volume. Home machines without much pressure stability may produce less crema, making the doppio appear shallower in the cup.
Taste preference
Those looking for a strong, short double espresso should stick to 45 to 50 milliliters. Those looking for balance or nuance in a single-origin espresso might prefer 55 to 60 milliliters.
How much caffeine does a double espresso contain?
A double espresso contains more caffeine than a single espresso, but not exactly twice as much. Due to the shorter contact time between the water and coffee in a doppio, the extraction isn't perfectly linear. On average, the caffeine content is between 80 and 100 milligrams per double espresso.
Comparison with other drinks
- Ristretto: 15 to 20 ml, highly concentrated
- Single espresso: 25 to 30 ml, balanced
- Double espresso: 50 to 60 ml, double the dose of coffee
- Lungo: 60 to 90 ml, more water, lighter taste
A double espresso is the base for many milk drinks; a single espresso in a cappuccino or flat white often gets lost in the milk, which doesn't preserve the flavor.
A double espresso usually amounts to between 50 and 60 milliliters, brewed with 14 to 18 grams of coffee in 25 to 30 seconds. The exact amount depends on flavor, roast, grind size, and machine settings. Experimenting at home with proportions instead of milliliters will yield more consistent results more quickly.