How to Make Espresso Romano (Espresso with Lemon)
Making an espresso romano is easy. You only need a few ingredients and a few coffee-making supplies. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to create the perfect espresso romano.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Brew the espresso. Make your shot of espresso in the same manner you always do with the machine you are most comfortable using. You want to get a good shot of espresso to begin!
Step 2: Preheat your cup if possible. You can use the steam wand on your espresso machine to do this. Preheating the cup can help preserve the full flavor and reduce the temperature drop that often occurs when you pour the espresso into a non-preheated cup.
Step 3: Rub the lemon wedge along the entire rim of the mug. You can add more lemon juice to the drink if you want in the next step.
Step 4: Add in lemon and sugar if you prefer. This step is optional, but if you like a sweeter drink, add a teaspoon of sugar. Add two or three squeezes of fresh lemon juice if you want more lemon taste.
Step 5: Once you have added the mix-ins, you can add the espresso. Stir with a stir stick and enjoy hot or cold. The lemon and sugar will incorporate more fully if you combine the ingredients while the espresso is hot.
Espresso Romano Recipe
This Espresso Romano recipe shows you how to properly combine lemon and espresso to make a delicious drink.
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 1 cup
Ingredients
1x2x3x
Instructions
- Pull a single or double shot of espresso
- Rub the lemon wedge along the rim of the cup.
- Add a tablespoon lemon juice and sugar to the cup, if you prefer.
- Add espresso, then stir to combine and enjoy.
Notes
There are a few tips you should take into account when it comes to making an espresso romano. These include recommended ways to make the espresso, how to mix the drink, and what ingredients to use.
Firstly, be sure to use high-quality espresso and lemon. Premium quality ingredients will mix best, thus creating the optimal taste.
Second, you should use an espresso brewing method you are comfortable with and happy with. If you prefer to use a Moka pot, use that. If you like your Nespresso machine, brew an espresso shot with that tool instead. Delicious espresso shots are key to making a high-quality drink.
Lastly, adding the lemon juice and sugar before adding the espresso is key to a good mix. Be sure to start with only a few drops, and add the lemon juice around the rim of the cup.
Some people add tangerine or orange flavors instead of lemon. These flavors work similarly to the lemon because they have citric acid that will similarly react to the coffee. Try out these flavors the next time you make an espresso romano!
Ingredient Substitutions
Even though this is such a simple recipe, you might be missing one of the key ingredients. Review the recommendations here for quick and clever substitutions.
Here are suggested substitutions:
- Espresso – If you don’t have an espresso machine, substitute it with strongly brewed coffee. A dark roast with a higher-than-normal coffee-to-water ratio will be best. You can brew an espresso-like coffee in a French press or drip maker.
- Lemon – Use a different citrus fruit instead, anything with citric acid.
- Sugar – Since this is optional, you can omit it completely or substitute it with your preferred sweetener, like brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Similarly, use stevia or other sugar-free replacement.
Espresso Romano Recipe (Espresso with Lemon)
Jessica Haggard
Café Romao combines the robust flavor of espresso with a refreshing lemon taste. This harmonious blend is an easy way to excite your daily coffee habit. Drink it with breakfast, a mid-morning snack, or in the afternoon. Whenever you like to have an espresso, you’re sure to enjoy this espresso with a lemon twist.
Читайте также:
5 from 56 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink
Calories 22 kcal
Ingredients
1x2x3x
Instructions
- Start by brewing a single or double shot of espresso.
- Rub lemon peel along the rim of the cup. The essential oils will flavor the rim, infusing each sip with a lemon scent.
- Add lemon juice and optional sugar to the cup. Pour the espresso over and mix well to combine. Continue until the sugar dissolves.
- Serve immediately with an extra lemon wedge or slice, garnishing the cup.
Notes
- Use high-quality espresso powder for the best-tasting brew.
- A single shot of regular espresso is one ounce, and a double shot is two ounces. Choose the quantity you want.
- Taste and adjust! Give a quick taste after mixing the lemon juice. Need to add more? Want to sweeten? Desiring more than one teaspoon of sugar? Get to know the drink and how you like it best.
- See post text for a note about brewing espresso in a French press or drip coffee maker
Serve: A cup of espresso romano is enjoyable alone or with delicious baked goods like homemade banana bread, chai-spiced cookies, and matcha brownies.
Store: The coffee flavor tastes best fresh; therefore, storing and making it ahead of time isn’t recommended. However, if needed, keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to drink. Drink chilled over ice or reheat on the stove in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 22kcalCarbohydrates: 6gSodium: 6mgSugar: 4g
Keyword cafe romano, espresso romano, espresso with lemon
Tried this recipe? how it was!
More Easy Coffee Recipes To Try
Once you master Romano coffee, try iced coffee too. Take it black, or add a splash of vanilla. Either way, it’s a refreshing choice on a hot afternoon.
You might also like a copycat Starbucks iced Americano. It’s another super easy coffee drink you can make next time at home.
If you make this lemon espresso recipe, please leave a review. I appreciate each 5-star rating and review comment!
Espresso Romano Recipe (Espresso with Lemon)
Jessica Haggard
Café Romao combines the robust flavor of espresso with a refreshing lemon taste. This harmonious blend is an easy way to excite your daily coffee habit. Drink it with breakfast, a mid-morning snack, or in the afternoon. Whenever you like to have an espresso, you’re sure to enjoy this espresso with a lemon twist.
5 from 56 votes
-
Читайте также:
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink
Calories 22 kcal
Ingredients
1x2x3x
Instructions
- Start by brewing a single or double shot of espresso.
- Rub lemon peel along the rim of the cup. The essential oils will flavor the rim, infusing each sip with a lemon scent.
- Add lemon juice and optional sugar to the cup. Pour the espresso over and mix well to combine. Continue until the sugar dissolves.
- Serve immediately with an extra lemon wedge or slice, garnishing the cup.
Notes
- Use high-quality espresso powder for the best-tasting brew.
- A single shot of regular espresso is one ounce, and a double shot is two ounces. Choose the quantity you want.
- Taste and adjust! Give a quick taste after mixing the lemon juice. Need to add more? Want to sweeten? Desiring more than one teaspoon of sugar? Get to know the drink and how you like it best.
- See post text for a note about brewing espresso in a French press or drip coffee maker
Serve: A cup of espresso romano is enjoyable alone or with delicious baked goods like homemade banana bread, chai-spiced cookies, and matcha brownies.
Store: The coffee flavor tastes best fresh; therefore, storing and making it ahead of time isn’t recommended. However, if needed, keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to drink. Drink chilled over ice or reheat on the stove in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 22kcalCarbohydrates: 6gSodium: 6mgSugar: 4g
Keyword cafe romano, espresso romano, espresso with lemon
Tried this recipe? how it was!
What Is an Espresso Romano? (Lemon in Espresso)
As mentioned, an espresso romano is a shot of espresso served with lemon juice and sometimes a lemon twist or lemon peel.
Make this drink more delicious by adding a teaspoon of sugar and lemon juice to a freshly brewed cup of espresso. The lemon juice can be from a juicy lemon wedge or a few drops of lemon flavor.
Researcher, teacher, and doctor at Brazil’s Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia, Dr. Wilton Soares Cardoso, has his ideas on why the drink is popular and what makes it work.
He states that the citric acid and bitterness from the coffee work together to balance each other out. The drink is still bitter, but the acidity from the lemon balances the bitterness from the coffee to create a drinkable and enjoyable espresso drink.
You can also try adding lemon to your regular filter coffee or cold brew.
Espresso Romano Origin and History
Espresso is reminiscent of Italian culture. However, this drink may not have any connection to Rome despite its name. Many believe it originated in the United States and is an American drink.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to its origin. Some say it is an American invention but given an Italian name to attract tourists. Others think it is an invention of France or Italy.
Some origin stories say that the Italians created this drink because the imports of coffee were limited. American coffee was the only thing available during the two World Wars, so the Italians might have created the espresso romano to consume the bad espresso and mask the taste. Some even said the baristas use lemon twist to clean coffee cups since the water was limited during the war.
How to Store this Recipe
Honestly, the coffee flavor tastes best fresh and therefore, storing and making it ahead of time isn’t recommended.
However, we often run into unexpected surprises in life. If, for whatever reason, you do need to store the drink and save it for later, simply add it to a clean jar or airtight container and place it in the refrigerator.
Drink the café Romano within two to three days, maximum. The flavor does degrade over time.
You’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to serving café Romano over ice. Since your drink is already cold, add a handful of ice to a glass, and pour the espresso over it. This is such a delicious treat that helps cool off with a nice smooth energy boost.
Furthermore, serving an iced café Romano will also help mask the difference in flavor. Stored cold coffee typically tastes better than reheated coffee.
That said, if you like it at room temperature or hot, it’s a good idea to warm it over medium heat for a minute or two in a small saucepan.
Variations
Want to add your own spin? All coffee lovers can make these fun variations to stretch this recipe into more delightful renditions and enjoy a versatile drink with lemon flavors.
Try these café Romano variations:
- Serve an iced espresso Romano by letting the fresh espresso cool to room temperature, filling a cup with a small handful of ice cubes, and pouring the liquid over the ice.
- You might substitute with a different citrus fruit because you’re out of lemon or because they all have a distinct flavor to enjoy. Instead of lemon, use tangerine, blood orange, or orange.
- Café Romano is typically served without milk, but feel free to add a splash of cream if you want.
- Make a café Romano affogato dessert by pouring hot espresso over a scoop of vanilla or chai ice cream.
