How to make espresso on a stovetop.

So here is the equipment you will need (excluding the kettle). The irony of having a drip coffee maker in this picture is not lost on me,BTW. That belongs to my in-laws. LoL

Here is a look at the stovetop espresso maker. The basket I have in my hand is where the coffee goes. It fits in the water well that you see to the left. The finished coffee goes into the pot up top.

This line(on the back wall) is the water line. Fill the water up to this line. Always make a full pot. If you want less coffee get a smaller pot. This one is a six shot pot.

Always use fresh, cold water.

Use your favorite brand of coffee, but make sure it is an espresso roast. Also, make sure the grind is an espresso grind. This is what it looks like. Don't use a "drip" grind. That grind is too big.

I use an aerolatte milk frother to make my foam cap. I used to have an all in one espresso machine/ milk steamer, but I found this method worked just as well, and it is the only way I do it now.

Here is what it will look like. NOTE: if you accidentally get coffee in the threading, clean that off or your pot will leak when the steam pressure builds.

Screw the top on and place it on the stove on medium high heat ( here 7 of 10). Next put water into the kettle and set it on the stove to boil on high heat. They will both finish about the same time.

Put some milk in a coffee mug or in a stovetop carafe. (1/3 full) If you want to heat it in the microwave, use the mug. If on the stove, use the metal carafe or a pot. Heat the milk to steaming.

When the milk is steaming (about 50 sec in the microwave) use the milk frother to froth the milk as per the directions included with your particular frother.

The milk will expand to almost the top of the cup. I do this step one the coffee is almost done brewing so that the foam does not sit long without being in the coffee. Time is a foam caps enemy.

Here is a finished pot of espresso. Note how the coffee is at the lip of the spout. This line equates to the water line in the water well that you used before. If the coffee reaches here, it's done.

Pull the coffee from the stove. Pour three one ounce shots into your mug (or two; your choice). Add sugar to taste.

You can drink it like that, as espresso, or add the hot water to it for an Americano.

A three-shot Americano.

Here I added half-and-half, as well as the milk and foam I made earlier. With the six shot pot I usually make two 3-shot cups of coffee, but you could also make three 2-shot cups. Enjoy!