A ristretto is a variety of espresso from Italy that is brewed with less water than regular espresso. The name "ristretto" translates as "limited" or "narrow" because the amount of liquid is limited to only 15 to 20 ml. Nevertheless, the ristretto has an intense and strong aroma. Unlike espresso, ristretto is rich in flavors and has a higher caffeine content.
The preparation of the ristretto is similar to that of the espresso. The same amount of coffee powder is used, but less water. The contact time of water and coffee powder is shorter, resulting in a more concentrated coffee essence. Ristretto can be prepared in different ways, depending on the desired grind and extraction time.
Ristretto is served in a small, pre-warmed cup. It is often used as a substitute for espresso in drinks such as latte macchiato or cappuccino. It also develops its special taste as a cold variant, for example in iced coffee. The ristretto clearly shows the quality of the coffee beans and requires careful preparation to fully bring out its intense aroma.
