Espresso-Style Drinks Without an Espresso Machine

You don't need an espresso machine to make café-style drinks at home. You need strong coffee, warm milk and a little flavor. This guide shows how the pieces fit, and links to a recipe for each kind of drink.

What you can and can't get

A moka pot, AeroPress or French press can make coffee strong enough for a latte, mocha or iced drink. What they can't make is true espresso, with its thick layer of crema. Expect a rich, concentrated cup that works very well with milk.

Pick your brewer

Brewer	Strength for milk drinks	Best for	Start here
Moka pot	Strongest, closest to espresso	Lattes, mochas, café con leche	Moka Pot Basics
AeroPress	Strong and smooth when brewed concentrated	Lattes, iced drinks, travel	AeroPress Basics
French press	Milder, so use more coffee	Oat and brown sugar lattes, cold brew	French Press Basics

Not sure which one to buy or use? See moka pot vs French press.

Froth the milk

Warm milk on the stove or in the microwave, then froth it with a handheld frother, a jar you shake, or a clean French press you pump. Our step-by-step is in how to make a latte without an espresso machine.

Choose a drink

Hot lattes

Iced drinks

Iced Latte at Home
Moka Pot Iced Mocha
AeroPress Iced Vanilla Oat Latte
Cold brew or iced coffee? See cold brew vs iced coffee.

Seasonal drinks

Make the flavor yourself

Most café drinks get their flavor from a syrup. A simple homemade coffee syrup costs little and keeps in the fridge.

If it doesn't taste right

Most problems come down to grind, ratio, water or time. Start with why is my coffee bitter, then check the coffee to water ratio and the grind size guide.