Espresso Doppio:
The double espresso for intense coffee enjoyment

Intense aroma, concentrated flavor—the double espresso, also known as Espresso Doppio, is more than just twice the amount of coffee. Discover the secrets of the Doppio with Nespresso and perfect your coffee experience.

Table of Content

1. The Double Espresso – An Intense Taste Experience
2. The Doppio Compared to Other Coffee Specialties
3. What Defines a Perfect Double Espresso?
4. Preparing a Double Espresso: Nespresso Machines vs. Portafilter Machines
5. Recommendations for the Ideal Double Espresso
6. Espresso Doppio – Pure or as a Basis for New Creations?
7. Frequently Asked Questions About the Double Espresso

What is Espresso Doppio or a Double Espresso?

Double Espresso and Espresso Doppio refer to the same coffee specialty: Compared to the single espresso, the double espresso is prepared with twice the amount of coffee grounds and double the amount of water. The result? A full-bodied, robust flavor thanks to the use of medium to dark roasted espresso beans.

The double espresso originates from Italy and is an integral part of its coffee culture. It contains twice the caffeine compared to a single espresso, making it the perfect energy boost.

The Doppio Compared to Other Coffee Specialties

Double Espresso vs. Americano
The Espresso Doppio impresses with its intense aroma as the coffee is concentrated through extraction. The Americano, on the other hand, is an espresso diluted with hot water. This "large espresso" (Americano), as it is sometimes called, owes its name to American soldiers who were stationed in Italy during World War II. 

They found espresso too strong and asked for it to be diluted with hot water. Italian café owners accommodated this request and named their creation after the soldiers—Americano. While this results in a larger cup of coffee, the flavor is noticeably milder.

Double Espresso vs. Lungo
In contrast to the Espresso Doppio, which uses double the amount of coffee grounds, the Lungo is made by extending the brewing time. This affects the espresso ratio of coffee to water and leads to a different flavor experience.

What Defines a Perfect Double Espresso?

The double amount of coffee beans creates a strong, stimulating experience with a rich, complex aroma. Medium roasts offer a balanced profile, while darker roasts bring out chocolaty notes. The type of bean also influences the flavor experience. 

Nespresso uses high-quality beans and carefully controls the roasting process to ensure optimal aroma. The result is a balanced, robust double espresso.

The test for the perfect Doppio: Stir the crema once or twice with a spoon. If it reconnects into a smooth, closed surface, the espresso is perfect. A true double espresso impresses with delicate aromas and a full-bodied flavor.

Preparing a Double Espresso: Nespresso Machines vs. Portafilter Machines

Making the perfect Espresso Doppio is a science. Factors such as grind size, coffee amount, espresso water quantity, extraction time, and brewing temperature influence the flavor. Nespresso offers a convenient and flavorful alternative to traditional methods. 

The Challenge of Manual Preparation
The traditional preparation of a double espresso with a portafilter machine requires precision and experience. The grind size of the beans must be precisely calibrated to the machine and the desired extraction time. Small deviations in these parameters can significantly affect the taste of the espresso, making it difficult to consistently achieve high quality.

This is achieved, among other things, through the highest coffee quality and the special extraction process ensured by all our capsule coffee machines. With Nespresso, you don’t have to worry about the perfect setting or coffee grounds—we take care of that. Our capsules contain the ideal grind size and coffee quantity for a double espresso. The machine settings are precisely calibrated to the capsules, ensuring consistently high quality. 

For the VERTUO systems, we offer special Doppio capsules that impress with a cup size of 80 ml. Discover our VERTUO Doppio varieties: Double Espresso Dolce (sweet), Chiaro Double Espresso (mild) or Nespresso Scuro (dark and intense). Owners of an ORIGINAL machine use two capsules of the same variety, such as Arpeggio. It convinces with an intense, bittersweet-chocolaty flavor, primarily created by the roasting of pure Arabica beans.

Espresso Doppio – Pure or as a Base for New Creations?

The Espresso Doppio reveals its intense flavor best when enjoyed pure. Yet, its concentrated strength also makes it the ideal base for various coffee creations. Whether as a morning pick-me-up or an after-meal treat—the double espresso is as versatile as the classic espresso.

Pure Indulgence: The Unadulterated Doppio
For coffee purists, the pure enjoyment of the double espresso is the preferred choice. Its concentrated aroma diversity unfolds best without any additives. Savor the intense roasted flavors and the velvety crema.

Refined Doppio: Creative Coffee Moments
While pure enjoyment without the addition of other ingredients is the focus, the Caffé Doppio can also be wonderfully refined with milk. A dash of milk softens the intensity and creates new flavor nuances.

Experiment and find your personal favorite version! Try it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, as Espresso Macchiato Doppio with a hint of milk foam, or as a double Espresso Martini.

The Flat White: A Classic with Doppio
Another classic prepared with double espresso is the Flat White. To the Doppio, 70–80 ml of fine “microfoam” is added, which is particularly suitable for latte art.

The Flat White’s fascinating anecdotes regarding its origin are especially interesting. Both New Zealand and Australia claim the invention for themselves, offering a range of captivating origin stories.

The Double Espresso: Intense Aroma, Effortlessly Prepared

The double espresso – Espresso Doppio – Caffé Doppio – offers an intense flavor through the double amount of coffee. With Nespresso, preparation is effortlessly easy and delivers perfect results every time. Experience the aroma of an Espresso Doppio with Nespresso for yourself!