WHAT IS DOPPIO ESPRESSO? IS IT THE SAME AS A DOUBLE ESPRESSO?

The doppio espresso is one of the most often confused coffee shop drinks, despite being one of the world’s most widely served!

A doppio espresso is simply two shots of espresso. It’s no more complicated than that. Yet confusion persists. In fact, I am often asked to explain the difference between a doppio and a double shot.

So in this article, I want to set the record straight once and for all. I’ll explain what to expect when you order a doppio, how to make a doppio at home, and how it compares to other espresso-based drinks.

What Is A Doppio Espresso?

A doppio espresso is a double shot of espresso. It’s not a special Italian version of a double espresso; doppio (pronounced DOH-pee-oh) is simply the Italian word for double.

Many cafe-style drinks use a doppio as their base rather than a single shot of espresso, particularly in coffee shops outside of Italy (1). This is an evolution from tradition as consumers increasingly favor larger sizes for milk drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

How Big Is A Doppio?

The traditional espresso shot is made using 7–9 grams of coffee for a 1-ounce shot (30 mL). The doppio uses double the amount of coffee and water, producing a 2-ounce shot (60 mL) of the same concentration.

It gets a little more confusing in modern cafés, which are increasingly straying from the traditional definition. Double shots today are often made with up to 20 or even 22 grams of ground coffee and can be up to 3 ounces in volume.

How Much Caffeine Is In A Doppio?

The caffeine content of a doppio varies depending on the exact recipe and type of coffee beans used. For example, old-school Italian coffee blends contain a percentage of Robusta beans, which have nearly double the amount of caffeine of Arabica. A typical range is between 100 and 150 mg of caffeine per serving.

What’s The Difference Between A Doppio And A Double Espresso?

A doppio and a double espresso are the same thing! They are both two shots of espresso – just in different languages. Let’s look at how they compare to other espresso coffee drinks:

• A regular espresso shot is half the size of a doppio and made using half the amount of ground coffee. Both drinks use the same ratio of coffee to water and thus have nearly identical tastes and intensities.
• A lungo is the same size as the doppio – or slightly larger – but made using half as much coffee and a slightly coarser grind. It has a less intense but more complex flavor.
• A ristretto is a shorter espresso drink made with a higher coffee-to-water ratio. It measures less than an ounce and is a more highly concentrated coffee than a doppio, often with a more pronounced sweetness.

How To Make Doppio At Home

To make this espresso drink at home, all you need is a home espresso machine with a sufficiently large filter basket – and the skills to use it. Here’s a quick recipe.

Step-By-Step Doppio Recipe

1. Grind the beans to a fine espresso grind.
2. Add the coffee grounds to the portafilter, distribute them evenly, tamp firmly, and lock it into your espresso maker.
3. Place a prewarmed demitasse (espresso cup) under the portafilter spout. Start the extraction.
4. Stop the coffee brewing when you reach a volume of 2 oz. The extraction time should be around 25 seconds.

Final Thoughts

The doppio is a double espresso, made using twice the amount of coffee and water as a single shot espresso. It’s as simple as that. It’s called a doppio because doppio is the Italian word for double. 

It’s one of the boldest flavored coffee drinks, with a rich intensity of taste, aroma, and mouthfeel. If you love espresso but find a standard shot is over too fast, ask your barista for a doppio and enjoy twice the pleasure!