The Perfect Espresso Recipe: A Universal Guide

Whether you're just getting started with espresso or refining your routine, finding a consistent, reliable recipe can feel like chasing perfection. At Unity Coffee Roasters, we've tested, tasted, and pulled thousands of shots — and today, we're sharing the universal espresso recipe that serves as our go-to baseline for dialing in any espresso roast we offer.

Our Standard Espresso Recipe

• Dose: 18 grams

• Yield: 36–38 grams

• Time: ~28 seconds

This simple but powerful ratio (1:2) is the foundation for great espresso — balancing clarity, sweetness, and structure. Whether you’re using a light-roast Ethiopian or a classic Brazil natural, this recipe is your starting point to unlock the flavor potential of every bean.

Why This Recipe Works

1:2 Ratio = Flavor Balance

A 1:2 brew ratio (18g in / 36–38g out) is widely used in the specialty coffee world. It allows you to extract enough solubles for body and sweetness without pushing into over-extraction territory.

28 Seconds = Sweet Spot

Around 28 seconds of total extraction time gives the espresso time to develop rich complexity and mouthfeel, especially for medium to light roasts. Too fast? Expect sourness. Too slow? You’ll likely get bitterness.

Consistency First

Starting with a solid, consistent recipe makes adjusting for different beans much easier. From here, you can tweak grind size, temperature, or even dose to match a particular coffee’s personality.

Tips for Dialing In

• Use a precise grinder: Burr grinders with micro-adjustments are key to locking in that 28-second window.

• Check your yield: Don’t just rely on time — measure the espresso in grams, not just seconds.

• Taste and adjust: Use this recipe as a starting point, not a fixed rule. Great espresso always requires small refinements.

Try it at home, and remember: espresso is both a science and an art. Taste is your best compass.

Looking for beans to dial in?
Check out our current espresso offerings — all roasted with this recipe in mind.