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Janet Martinez, 24, pours evaporated milk into a measuring cup to heat it up in the microwave. She plans to make several cortaditos (a shot of espresso mixed with evaporated milk).

Martinez pours the evaporated milk into coffee cups with espresso.

Martinez mixes the espressos and evaporated milk to make tasty cortaditos.

More Recipes

Cappuccino:

1/3 cup espresso (1 shot)
1/3 cup steamed milk
1/3 cup foamed milk
1 teaspoon of cinnamon (sprinkle on top)
(The steamed milk mixes with the espresso and the foamed milk rests on top.)

Café con Leche (Café Latte):

1/3 cup espresso (1 shot)
2/3 cup steamed milk

Cortadito:

1/3 cup espresso (1 shot)
1/3 cup evaporated milk
(steam or heat milk in microwave)

Irish Cream Latte:

1/3 cup espresso (1 shot)
3 oz. of Bailey's Irish Cream
(Mix and serve over ice)

Brewing

To make an espresso you need an espresso machine, water and grinded coffee that is suitable for espresso making. There are espresso makers available in stores like Target, Starbucks and Wal-Mart. Any machine is suitable.

To enjoy an espresso to its full potential, serve it immediately after being made because its temperature is an important factor. It is recommended to drink it one to two minutes after being served.

If it is intended to mix the espresso shot to make another beverage, like a cappuccino, mix it immediately after being made to ensure the best taste.

Recipe: Espresso

A helpful demonstration is on the "How To" page.

• 1) Pour and fill your machine's water chamber with water. Make sure the boiler cap is secured.
  (Some machines will produce as many as four shots at once.)

• 2) Place the coffee basket (the piece that holds the coffee) into its filter holder and completely pack in the ground coffee.

• 3) Place the filter holder in the machine or screw it onto the bottom base (depending on your machine).

• 4) Place the glass carafe (if your machine comes with one) under the spout and turn on the machine. Use a cup if your machine doesn't come with one.
  
  OR

• If your espresso maker is not electric, place it on the stove and turn up the heat to high.

• 5) The machine will heat the water until it forces the water out through the coffee grounds.

• 6) As it prepares, get a another cup or glass carafe. Put about four teaspoons of sugar into the cup or carafe. The amount of sugar depends on personal taste. I like it with four.

• 7) When the coffee starts to flow, pour about one tablespoon of coffee into the cup or carafe that has sugar. Swipe it until it becomes a thick, creamy, white texture.

• Pour the rest of the coffee into the cup or carafe with the swiped sugar. It should have a light brown foam or "crema" on its top.