Espresso vs Ristretto: What’s the Stronger Shot?

Espresso and ristretto might look almost identical, but the difference in taste and intensity comes down to how much water passes through the coffee. Both use the same amount of ground coffee, but the ristretto is shorter, richer, and slightly sweeter. If you like your coffee small but mighty, this one’s for you.

Espresso: The Standard Shot

Espresso is the base for nearly every coffee drink out there. It’s made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure, producing a 25 to 30ml shot in about 25 seconds. It’s rich, slightly bitter, and topped with crema.

It gives you the full spectrum of coffee flavours, from sharp acidity to deep roasted notes, and remains the benchmark for coffee strength.

Learn more: What is an Espresso?

Ristretto: Short, Sweet, Intense

Ristretto, which means “restricted” in Italian, is pulled using the same amount of coffee, but with half the water. The result is a shorter, more concentrated shot, typically around 15 to 20ml. Because it extracts fewer bitter compounds, it often tastes smoother and slightly sweeter than a full espresso.

It’s all about flavour density. A ristretto doesn’t have more caffeine, but it feels stronger and silkier.

Find out more: What is a Ristretto?

Which One to Choose?

If you’re after balance and tradition, espresso is the way to go. It’s reliable, full-flavoured, and plays well with milk or on its own.

If you want a short, punchy shot that hits fast and tastes bold without the bitter bite, go for a ristretto. It’s a little more refined, and great for sipping as-is.

Espresso and ristretto just scratch the surface. Dive into the full coffee comparison guide here:
Coffee Drinks Compared