How to Make Espresso with a Keurig: 7 Easy Steps
Updated - Team Colipse
To make espresso with a Keurig, choose a dark or espresso roast K-Cup and clean the machine for optimal flavor. Power it on, insert the K-Cup, and select the smallest cup size (4–6 oz) with the “strong” or “shot” setting. Brew, pour into a small cup, and serve as a strong shot or latte base. The best-tasting K-Cups for making espresso with a Keurig are freshly roasted ground coffee from specialty coffee brands. To brew espresso coffee using Keurig, follow the seven steps below.
- Choose a Dark or Espresso Roast K-Cup
- Clean Your Keurig to Make Espresso Taste Better
- Insert the K-Cup and Close the Keurig Lid
- Select the Smallest Keurig Cup Size to Concentrate the Coffee
- Place a Large Cup Under the Spout to Avoid Splashing
- Start the Keurig Brew and Wait
- Pour the Coffee into Small Espresso Cup
1. Choose a Dark or Espresso Roast K-Cup
Choosing a dark or espresso roast K-Cup means selecting a coffee pod with a stronger, bolder flavor profile when making espresso with a Keurig. Dark or espresso roasts have richer oils and deeper taste, allowing the Keurig to produce a more concentrated, espresso-like shot despite lower brewing pressure.
You cannot make good espresso in a Keurig from light roast K-Cups because their limited caramelization and short brew contact keep the coffee acidic and weak. Since Keurigs lack nine bars of extraction pressure, dark roasts compensate better for this limitation by delivering bolder flavor and fuller body.
The best espresso-style K-Cup brands for Keurig® machines include Colipse Coffee, Starbucks, and Lavazza. These brands offer espresso K-Cups that vary by roast level, flavor intensity, bean origin, and pod material to match personal taste. The boldest K-Cup you can buy is the Death Wish Coffee K-Cup. It delivers an extra-strong, dark roast made from Arabica and Robusta beans with twice the caffeine of a regular coffee pod.
2. Clean Your Keurig to Make Espresso Taste Better
Cleaning your Keurig machine makes your espresso taste better by removing mineral buildup that contaminates water and coffee taste. Over time, mineral deposits, limescale, biofilm, mold, and coffee oils accumulate inside the machine’s water reservoir, tubing, and internal parts. Coffee grounds leave oily residues in the K-Cup holder and needle, clogging parts and reducing brewing quality.
To clean a Keurig coffee maker, remove detachable parts, wash them with warm, soapy water, wipe the exterior with a damp cloth, and descale with vinegar or a descaling solution to remove mineral buildup. Rinse the reservoir regularly to maintain performance and cleanliness.
The Keurig coffee maker requires weekly cleaning by washing removable parts such as the water reservoir, drip tray, and K-cup holder. Descale it every three to six months using white vinegar or Keurig Descaling Solution mixed with water. This maintenance prevents buildup, ensures fresh flavor, and extends the machine’s lifespan.
3. Insert the K-Cup and Close the Keurig Lid
Insert the K-Cup and close the Keurig lid means placing a sealed coffee pod (K-Cup) into the Keurig machine’s chamber and securing the lid to puncture the pod. This step allows pressurized hot water to flow evenly through the coffee grounds, producing a balanced espresso flavor with proper extraction.
Closing the lid on a Keurig espresso machine activates two connected parts—the outer lid with the handle and the inner lid that presses the K-cup pod. The mechanism applies pressure to pierce the pod, allowing water to flow and brew espresso. A micro switch confirms closure and signals safe operation.
When a Keurig lid doesn’t stay closed, secure it by applying gentle pressure or placing a weighted object on top during brewing. Replace worn or damaged hinges through the manufacturer if the problem continues. Check for coffee pod interference and ensure the pod fits correctly to allow the lid to latch properly.
4. Select the Smallest Keurig Cup Size to Concentrate the Coffee
Selecting the smallest cup size on a Keurig means brewing a smaller amount of water through the coffee pod, which creates a stronger, more concentrated espresso-like shot. The most common Keurig cup sizes are 6, 8, and 10 ounces. The largest Keurig cup size is 12 oz on newer models, while specialty machines brew smaller 2 oz or 4 oz shots.
To make espresso coffee in a Keurig, use the smallest cup size, 4 oz or 6 oz, and select the "strong" or "shot" brew option. These sizes concentrate the flavor, increase intensity, and produce a rich espresso-like shot. Models like the K-Elite deliver the strongest and most authentic espresso flavor using the 4 oz setting.
Changing the cup size in Keurig affects only water volume, not coffee content. It changes how much water flows through the pod. Making espresso with a Keurig on the largest cup size yields a weaker brew because excess water dilutes the coffee grounds.
5. Place a Large Cup Under the Spout to Avoid Splashing
Placing a large cup under the spout prevents splashing by reducing the distance the coffee falls. A larger cup, especially a taller one, sits much closer to the Keurig's outlet. It serves as a closer target that guides coffee neatly from the K-Cup pod. The shorter drop ensures an accurate and mess-free delivery into the cup.
The cup should be tall enough to minimize the gap during brewing. Coffee splashes occur when the stream hits the bottom of a short cup from a distance. Using a tall mug or travel mug can also help contain the brew. A closer cup ensures the coffee lands gently inside, preventing a messy spray on the machine or counter.
6. Start the Keurig Brew and Wait
Start the Keurig brew and wait means press the brew button on your Keurig to begin the brewing cycle, then wait for the machine to complete the process before removing your cup. The typical time to brew a cup with a Keurig is about 1 to 2 minutes using the smallest cup size. The water heats within minutes, while a Keurig brews coffee in under a minute. Most of the total time goes to heating water, not brewing.
7. Pour the Coffee into a Small Espresso Cup
Pouring the coffee into small espresso cup means transferring the brewed espresso shot from the Keurig directly into small, preheated espresso cup. Use a 2–3 ounce (60–90 milliliter) espresso cup when making espresso with a Keurig. This size keeps the crema concentrated, maintains heat, and delivers the strong, rich flavor typical of espresso.
Pouring espresso into a large cup or mug dilutes the flavor and causes the coffee to cool quickly. Large cups spread the espresso’s thin layer of crema, reducing aroma and intensity. The drink loses its concentrated taste and texture that define traditional espresso shots. Using small espresso cups preserves coffee crema and temperature to ensure espresso retains rich flavor and authentic style.
Does Keurig Have Espresso Pods?
Yes, Keurig does have espresso-style pods, but they do not make true espresso due to lower brewing pressure. The top espresso K-Cups include Starbucks Espresso Roast, Colipse Espresso K-Cups, and Lavazza Espresso. These pods mimic espresso flavor with rich crema and bold intensity using Keurig brewers.
Not all espresso pods fit Keurig machines. E.S.E. and Nespresso pods are incompatible with Keurig’s brewing system. Keurig machines use K-Cup pods specifically designed for their technology. Reusable pods can hold espresso grounds as an alternative method.
Where to Buy Espresso Pods for Keurig?
You can buy espresso pods for Keurig directly from Colipse Coffee at colipsecoffee.com. At Colipse Coffee, our Espresso Coffee Pods for Keurig are made with fresh-roasted, organic, Grade 1 specialty beans from the Kintamani Highlands of Central Bali. Each 12-count box fits all Keurig brewers and delivers a bold, smooth espresso flavor. Orders ship free across the United States.
Does Keurig Make Real Espresso?
No, Keurig does not make real espresso. True espresso requires 9 bars of pressure to force hot water through finely ground coffee. Keurig brewers use much lower pressure, producing coffee that mimics espresso’s flavor but lacks authentic crema and extraction. Keurig makes espresso-style coffee, not genuine espresso shots.
How Strong is Keurig Coffee Compared to Espresso?
Keurig coffee produces a mild brew because it uses low-pressure extraction similar to drip coffee, which prevents crema formation. Espresso machines apply over 9 bars of pressure to extract concentrated coffee with a thick crema. Keurig coffee remains weaker in flavor and intensity compared to espresso.