You love espresso but don’t want to invest in a professional machine? Instant coffee can be the perfect solution. While it can’t fully replace traditional espresso, instant coffee brewed with the right instant coffee ratio still delivers a bold, rich flavor that’s convenient and budget-friendly.
What makes instant coffee espresso different?
Real espresso is brewed using high-pressure machines, forcing hot water through finely ground coffee in 25-30 seconds. Instant coffee doesn’t go through this process, so technically it’s not authentic espresso. However, when brewed with the proper instant coffee espresso ratio, you can still achieve a strong, concentrated coffee similar to an espresso shot.
Key differences:
- Brewing method: espresso uses high pressure, instant coffee only needs hot water
- Flavor complexity: espresso has more depth, instant coffee is simpler
- Caffeine: espresso contains 58-185mg of caffeine, instant coffee contains 40-108mg (average 67mg)
Instant coffee ratio for espresso
Basic formula
Standard instant coffee espresso shot ratio for 1 shot (30ml):
- 2-3 teaspoons instant coffee powder
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) hot water
Instant coffee espresso ratio for double shot (60ml):
- 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) instant coffee powder
- 4 tablespoons (60ml) hot water
Adjusting to taste
Light espresso: 2 teaspoons powder + 30ml water Strong espresso: 3 teaspoons powder + 30ml water Extra strong espresso: 1 tablespoon powder + 30ml water
This instant coffee ratio creates a concentration equivalent to real espresso, helping you make drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, or americanos at home.
Essential ingredients
Quality instant coffee
Choose premium instant coffee for the best flavor:
Priority features:
- 100% arabica: natural sweetness, light acidity
- Freeze-dried: preserves original flavor better than spray-dried
- Dark roast: closer to espresso flavor profile
- Fair trade certified
Recommended brands for instant coffee espresso:
Hello 5 Coffee 3-in-1 Micro Ground
If you want the ultimate convenience for making instant espresso-style drinks, Hello 5 Coffee 3-in-1 is the perfect choice. This product combines carefully roasted instant coffee with creamer and sugar in pre-measured sachets, making it incredibly easy to achieve the right instant coffee ratio every time.
Key features:
- Format: individual sachets (18g each), pack of 50 sachets
- Ingredients: micro-ground instant coffee, creamer, sugar – perfectly balanced
- Flavor profile: full-bodied yet effortlessly smooth with gentle warming sweetness
- Instant coffee ratio: pre-measured, just add 100-120ml hot water per sachet
- Best for: busy mornings, office breaks, travel, or anyone who wants consistent results without measuring
- Certifications: Halal, HACCP, ISO international standards
- Quality guarantee: no corn, soybeans, synthetic flavorings, or harmful chemicals
- Processing: beans processed using wet method or honey process for maximum flavor essence
- Origin: Vietnam
Why choose Hello 5 Coffee 3-in-1 for instant espresso:
- No measuring needed – perfect instant coffee espresso ratio in every sachet
- Quick preparation – ready in under 2 minutes
- Consistent taste – same quality every cup
- Portable – ideal for office, travel, or on-the-go
- Beginner-friendly – no coffee expertise required
For those who prefer pure black coffee to customize their own instant coffee ratio, Hello 5 Coffee also offers roasted ground coffee in Original and Deluxe blends. However, the 3-in-1 sachets provide the most foolproof way to achieve espresso-strength coffee without any guesswork.
Water
Ideal water temperature: 90-96°C (doesn’t need to be boiling at 100°C). Water that’s too hot can make coffee bitter.
Step-by-step brewing instructions
Step 1: prepare
Add 2-3 teaspoons of instant coffee powder to an espresso cup or heat-resistant mug.
Step 2: heat water
Boil water, then let it cool for 30 seconds before brewing. Temperature of 90-96°C is ideal.
Step 3: brew coffee
Pour 30ml (2 tablespoons) of hot water into the coffee powder. This is the critical step that determines the concentration of your espresso shot.
Step 4: stir thoroughly
Use a small spoon or mini stirrer, stir vigorously for 10-15 seconds until powder completely dissolves. A light crema (foam) will appear on the surface.
Step 5: enjoy
Drink immediately while hot to experience the full flavor. Add sugar or milk according to taste.
Drink variations using instant espresso
Americano
Instant coffee ratio: 1 instant espresso shot (30ml) + 90-150ml hot water
Brew the espresso shot first, then dilute with hot water. This creates American-style black coffee from espresso.
Latte
Instant coffee ratio: 1 instant espresso shot (30ml) + 200ml steamed milk
Brew espresso shot, heat milk (don’t boil), froth milk using a frother or shake in a sealed jar. Pour frothed milk into espresso, enjoy with sugar to taste.
Cappuccino
Instant coffee ratio: 1 instant espresso shot (30ml) + 60ml milk + 60ml milk foam
Similar to latte but with less milk, more foam, creating a thick foam layer on top.
Macchiato
Instant coffee ratio: 1 instant espresso shot (30ml) + 1-2 tablespoons milk foam
Espresso with a “mark” of milk, maintaining the bold coffee flavor.
Iced coffee
Method:
- Brew 1 instant espresso shot with 30ml hot water
- Add sugar, stir to dissolve
- Let cool for 10-15 minutes
- Add ice to a tall glass, pour espresso, add 150-200ml cold milk
Tips for brewing delicious instant espresso
1. Experiment with instant coffee ratio
Each instant coffee brand has different strength. Start with 2 teaspoons/30ml water, adjust gradually until you find your preferred instant coffee espresso ratio.
2. Use filtered water
Tap water with chlorine smell affects flavor. Filtered or mineral water makes coffee taste better.
3. Stir thoroughly
Coffee powder needs to dissolve completely. Stir vigorously for 15-20 seconds to avoid clumps.
4. Don’t use boiling water
Water at 100°C makes coffee bitter and harsh. Let it cool for 30-60 seconds after boiling.
5. Brew fresh when needed
Instant espresso tastes best when freshly brewed. Sitting too long loses aroma and flavor fades.
6. Increase concentration for milk drinks
When making lattes or cappuccinos, increase powder to 3 teaspoons so coffee flavor doesn’t get overwhelmed by milk.
Cost and convenience comparison
Espresso machine vs instant coffee
Espresso machine:
- Cost: $200-2000+
- Maintenance: regular cleaning, parts replacement
- Time: 5-10 minutes per cup
- Quality: excellent if brewed correctly
Read more: 6 Essential Criteria for Choosing Your Café’s Espresso Machine
Instant coffee:
- Cost: $5-15 per container
- Maintenance: none required
- Time: 2 minutes per cup
- Quality: quite good, suitable for daily needs
For busy people, travelers, or those with limited space, instant espresso is a smart choice.
Caffeine notes
Each instant espresso shot contains about 40-70mg caffeine, less than real espresso (58-185mg). However, caffeine content depends on many factors:
- Bean type: robusta contains double the caffeine of arabica
- Powder amount: 3 teaspoons will have more caffeine than 2 teaspoons
- Brand: each manufacturer has different concentrations
If sensitive to caffeine, start with 2 teaspoons and monitor your body’s reaction.
Frequently asked questions
- Is instant espresso the same as real espresso? Not completely. Real espresso has complexity, thick crema, and distinctive aroma that instant coffee can’t fully replicate. But in terms of convenience and value, instant espresso is a reasonable substitute.
- Can I use regular instant coffee instead of instant espresso? Yes. Just increase the instant coffee ratio of powder to water to create similar concentration. However, instant espresso is roasted darker, with flavor closer to real espresso.
- How do I know the right instant coffee espresso ratio for me? Experiment. Start with 2 teaspoons/30ml water, taste, adjust. Record your preferred instant coffee ratio for next time.
- Is instant espresso healthy? Instant coffee and real espresso both come from coffee beans, with the same benefits: reduced cardiovascular risk, weight loss support, increased alertness. However, drink in moderation (2-3 cups/day).
- How to store instant coffee? Seal tightly, store in a dry, cool place. Avoid direct sunlight and high humidity. Use within 6-12 months after opening.
Making an espresso shot with instant coffee isn’t complicated. The standard instant coffee espresso shot ratio is 2-3 teaspoons powder with 30ml hot water for 1 shot, 1 tablespoon with 60ml water for a double shot. Adjust according to taste and coffee powder quality.
While it can’t fully replace traditional espresso, instant espresso is still an excellent solution for busy lifestyles. It saves time and money, requires no expensive equipment, yet still lets you enjoy your favorite bold coffee.
Try different instant coffee ratios, discover flavors that suit you, and make instant espresso an essential part of your daily coffee routine!
