The double ristretto: small but mighty

What exactly is a double ristretto?

A ristretto is a shorter version of an espresso. But it is not an espresso! We use more coffee and a shorter extraction, yielding a smaller but more concentrated shot. This method emphasizes sweetness and body while minimizing bitterness. Why a ‘double’ ristretto? Well, in the specialty coffee world, we always tend to use a larger basket size of coffee so that we can maximise the potential of the coffee, even if we end up splitting the drink into 2 singles! Trust us, this is the way to go. It means more richness, more sweetness and more complexity. The kind of coffee experience we love.

A brief history of the ristretto

The word "ristretto" comes from Italian and means "restricted" or "held back"—fitting for a coffee that limits the extraction time. Italian baristas discovered that by reducing the amount of water used in an espresso, they could highlight the deep, caramel-like sweetness of the coffee while keeping bitterness in check. It quickly became a favorite in coffee culture, especially among those who appreciate a shot of pure, unfiltered intensity.

How to make the perfect double ristretto?

Crafting a great double ristretto is all about control. The right beans, the right grind, and perfect timing make all the difference. Here’s how we do it at Jones Brothers Coffee using our 20-20-20 method:

What you’ll need:

• 20g of brilliant beans – a bold, full-bodied blend perfect for ristretto shots

• A dosing cup for the beans

• Weighing scale - to 0,1g

• Coffee grinder

Our 20-20-20 Method:

• 1. Weigh out slightly more than 20 grams of coffee beans before grinding.
• 2. Grind the beans like a standard espresso grind—you want resistance, but not a choke.
• 3. Place the ground coffee into the portafilter and tamp it evenly and firmly.
• 4. Use your scale, place the cup underneath, and tare (reset) the scale to zero.
• 5. Start the extraction and stop when you reach exactly 20 grams of liquid.
• 6. You want this extraction to take around 20-22 seconds.
• 7. You will need to keep adjusting your grind setting to achieve these results.
• 8. Sip, savor, and enjoy the complexity—sweet, syrupy, and beautifully balanced.

A reminder - Why we choose a double ristretto?

Bigger flavor in a smaller sip – Concentrated coffee means intensified notes of chocolate, caramel, and fruit, without unwanted bitterness. Thicker, silkier texture – With less water running through, you get a rich, almost syrupy body. Perfect for milk-based drinks – A double ristretto makes an excellent base for cappuccinos and flat whites, holding its boldness even with added milk. It is great to be able to taste the coffee through the milk.

Which beans or origin should you use?

We love it with a natural process or slightly fermented coffee and we always sway towards Ethiopian coffees for this. We always aim for a medium or medium light roast for this coffee. But darker roast profiles can also work well - just ask the Italians! We recommend our current Ethiopia Sidamo Natural Process single farm coffee bean (we call it the ‘Horny Goat’- read more about this here or our famous dark roast Italian Lover coffee bean - see [here]((https://jonesbrotherscoffee.com/en/shop/italian-lover-arabica-coffee-beans)

The double ristretto is an experience every coffee lover should try. It’s small, intense and deeply rewarding when done right. Get the right beans, dial in your technique and see for yourself why this style of coffee is so revered. So go on, give it a go!

Discover our Horney Goat beans here

Discover Italian Lover beans here