Do you wonder what is the difference between a ristretto and a long shot? Sometimes, it becomes difficult to differentiate what looks like similar drinks. Basically, long shot vs Ristretto are espresso drinks but have different serving volumes. Anyone who can brew espresso can easily brew ristretto and long shot.
No coffee can compete with an espresso shot’s taste, texture, and aroma. Espresso is a unique drink and perhaps the most consumed drink worldwide.
In reality, espresso serves as the base coffee for many flavors. Long shot and ristretto are basically espresso drinks prepared with different volumes.
Also, check all the differences between cappuccino and espresso.
In this article, we look closely into the difference between a ristretto and a long shot. A ristretto shot is half of the size of espresso. Conversely, the long shot comes twice the size of the espresso. Also, both drinks differ in grind size water and pull time.
First, we should look into what these two drinks are about, which will make our task easy to distinguish between drinks.
Another well-worth comparison of two high-quality drinks. Black Coffee vs. espresso
What is a Ristretto?
Simply, a ristretto is a small shot of espresso. It extracts from almost half of the volume of espresso. The ristretto originated from the Italian word, which means restricted.
Thus, in Italy, a smaller shot of espresso is called a ristretto. If you feel an espresso shot is too strong, you can order a smaller cup called a ristretto.
What is the exact serving size of the ristretto? It is almost half the size of espresso. An espresso drink usually serves in a 2oz size cup.
In comparison, a ristretto serves in 1 or 1.5 oz cup size. If you want to make ristretto highly concentrated and bitter, make it in 1oz size.
But making a ristretto is challenging. You need to concentrate more on this small drink. So, While brewing a ristretto, these things need to be perfect: the grind size, water volume, and contact time.
Ristretto uses the same amount of ground as espresso, but it extracts in half time, resulting in more bitterness. It is a better option for those who want espresso but are wary of its intense flavor. Ristretto is an excellent initial drink before going for espresso or a long shot.
The proper ground coffee is an essential factor while getting the desired espresso taste. The ristretto uses finely ground coffee to make slight resistance against pressurized water because, on the other hand, the coarse ground may lead to a weaker espresso shot.
What is long-shot coffee (lungo)?
In Contrast to ristretto, the long shot has doubled in amount to ristretto. Also, it is more than an espresso shot. If you want a bigger cup of coffee with a strong taste, the long shot is the perfect choice.
In Italian, a long shot is called lungo. The word lungo in Italian means long. So, the long shot is larger than a regular shot of espresso.
However, the long-shot espresso is different from the doppio espresso. A doppio and espresso are different in volume.
How differently is it prepared from espresso and ristretto? A long shot uses double the amount of water than a regular espresso. More water makes it a less concentrated but bitter drink.
Compared to the ristretto, the long shot is bitterer but stronger.
What is Ristretto vs long shot? Differences explained
Basically, ristretto and long shot are variations of espresso drinks. When you look at the texture, both drinks are similar. However, the grinding, roasting, and volume differentiate them.
Summary table
| Comparison | Ristretto | Long shot (lungo) | Espresso |
| Grind size | Coarse ground coffee | Finely ground coffee | Normal ground coffee |
| Brewing time | It takes 15 seconds | It takes 60 seconds | It takes 30 seconds |
| Ground to Water ratio | 1:1 | 1:3 or 1:4 | 1:2 |
| Shot size | 15 ml (0.5 oz cup size) | 45ml- 60 ml (1.5 or 2.0 cup size) | 30 ml (1.0 oz cup size) |
| Taste | Strong flavor, less bitter | Milder, bitter taste | Bitter solid, rich in taste |
| Caffeine Content | 63 mg | 80 gm | 68 mg |
| Calories | Around 2 calories per shot | Around 6 calories per shot | Around 3 calories per shot |
| Origin | Italy | Italy | Italy |
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What Difference does it make in the variation in the ratio of water?
All three drinks prepare with different volumes of water. Ristretto is the smallest of the three, with the ratio of water to the ground being 1:1.
In contrast, the long shot prepares with a ratio of 1:4. And espresso prepared with a ratio of 1:4. So different in the volume of water, making all the difference.
However, you can drink with a different ratio of water to coffee. When using less water, the drink will become more concentrated and intense. The more water dilutes, the intensity and vigorousness of coffee.
Ristretto vs long shot: is there any difference in Grind size
Ristretto drink requires finely ground coffee. It is prepared with a finer ground than espresso. Therefore, less water passes through the finer ground coffee, leading to a concentrated drink.
On the other hand, a long shot is prepared with coarse-ground coffee while following the same brewing process.
The coarse ground allows more water to flow, making it less concentrated. Also, more water subsides the intensity of the drink.
The Brewing Process: contrasting ristretto and long shot espresso
Both espresso variations brew with the same process. An espresso drink brews when hot water passes through ground coffee.
To get a strong espresso shot, I suggest you use an espresso machine, Even though you can use coffee machines like Moka Pot or Aeropress.
But these coffee makers can get highly concentrated drinks. Also, the same espresso machine brews long shots and ristretto.
While making a ristretto requires a small volume of water, and a long shot requires more water. Otherwise, the brewing process is the same.
long shot vs ristretto: Which drink is tastier and more aromatic?
Ristretto and long shot have differences in taste and aroma. A ristretto shot has an intense and less bitter taste. This drink is more concentrated and short; it has more aromatic notes. The ristretto is sweeter because it takes less time to extract.
A long shot is less concentrated and bitter. The long shot takes more time for the extraction process. It extracts more caffeine, which leads to a bitter taste. Also, a long shot is more aromatic due to more extraction time.
Ingredients and Size Differences Between Ristretto and Long Shot Espresso
These espresso drinks use similar ingredients, like 8 gm of ground coffee; however, they use different volumes of water.
So there is not much difference as far as the ingredients are concerned. If you use less water, the drink will be ristretto, and when more water is used, it becomes a long shot.
Now let’s check the precise difference; a ristretto adds 8 grams of coffee and 15 ml of water. It extracts almost 12 ml of coffee. In comparison, a long shot takes 8 grams of coffee and 55 ml of water. It will give around 45 to 50 ml of a long shot.
Also, check the difference between blonde espresso and regular espresso.
Long shot vs Ristretto: which drink has more caffeine content?
Caffeine content is essential when picking any espresso-based drink because it usually contains more caffeine than other drinks. Ristretto has less caffeine content than a long shot.
Because the ristretto drink is prepared in short size and fewer coffee beans are used.
A ristretto shot comes with 63 mg of caffeine. At the same time, a long shot consists of around 80 mg of caffeine. It is worth mentioning that a regular espresso shot contains 68 mg of caffeine.
Which drink is best for you?
I have discussed the differences between the two drinks, and it is time to pick the best drink for your next beverage.
I love both drinks because of the taste and aroma. You can taste both drinks and decide which drink is best for you. Long shot or lungo serves in a large glass and has less strong coffee than ristretto. And ristretto is the preferable option if you like small shots.
Ristretto vs long shot: which flavor use as a base for other drinks?
Ristretto, long shots, and espresso are the bases for so many beverages. You can add a ristretto and a long shot to your other favorite beverages to make a perfect combination.
If you want a latte, add steamed milk to the ristretto cup, which becomes a latte coffee cup.
A long shot is preferred to make a long black, Americano, or latte. In comparison, ristretto adds flavor to short drinks like cappuccino or Cortado.
Also, these beverages can be made cold drinks by adding iced cubes and cold water.
Coffee Strength Comparison: Ristretto vs Long Shot
Generally, an espresso drink is considered a strong coffee if it has no added flavors. However, when we compare the ristretto and long shot, the ristretto is a more robust coffee.
A ristretto shot comes in a smaller size with little use of water. This drink is more concentrated, which makes a strong coffee.
At the same time, a long shot uses more water and takes more extraction time, making it less intense.
Does Starbucks make Ristretto and a long shot differently?
Yes to some extent it is true Starbucks has its own ingredients and brewing methods. When you order a ristretto from Starbucks, it usually brews with Espresso Roast.
It is used for full espresso shots, but less water passes through the grounds. Starbucks ristretto tastes sweeter and more affluent.
Starbucks also provides customized ristretto drinks. Also, the Ristretto at Starbucks gives the base to get your favorite beverages. You can order a ristretto with certain ingredients.
Ristretto shots offer a base for a flat white holiday and spice flat white. Also, you can get Americano, Caramel Macchiato, and Starbucks double shots while using ristretto as the base.
Furthermore, at Starbucks, long shot provides a base for many drinks.
A long shot is less robust than the ristretto. However, Starbucks’ long shot is larger than ristretto or espresso.
Ristretto vs long shot vs regular espresso: comparison of most potent drink?
Espresso is the original coffee. Ristretto and long shots are variations of espresso. Espresso is the base for many flavors in the coffee world. Even the coffee flavors are incomplete without espresso.
The ristretto and long shot (lungo) are made with the same ingredients we use for espresso. The brewing process, ground coffee, and the volume of water differentiate these drinks.
Espresso is a strong, rich, and creamy drink. It adds regular ground coffee. The drink size usually is 30 ml.
The espresso serving size is almost double the size of the ristretto and half of the long shot. So espresso isn’t a little drink like a ristretto or a large drink like a long shot.
Which coffee taste is best for you? In fact, all three drinks, espresso, ristretto, and long-shot, are great beverages. It is the personal choice of anybody to pick any one drink as his favorite.
Long shot vs double ristretto
The long shot has more volume size than the ristretto. A double ristretto means two ristretto drinks in one cup. Even though a long shot is a larger drink with more water and over-extracted single espresso.
A double ristretto means a more concentrated drink with a slightly sweeter taste. A long shot tastes bitter, but it is a less concentrated drink.
Related article.
Long Black Vs Americano: What Is The Difference?
Ristretto vs long shot vs Espresso: Do you need different coffee beans to brew these drinks?
Every drink can be different coffee beans to give you a unique taste. I will talk about which beans are the best way to make anyone the beverages.
Ristretto coffee beans
Lightly roasted coffee beans are the recommended size for a ristretto. As we discussed, ristretto has a sweeter and more acidic taste. Brazilian coffee beans are low in acidity, which is perfect for a ristretto.
However, darkly roasted coffee beans are also used for ristretto drinks.
Long shot coffee beans
The long shot needs lightly roasted fresh and heavier coffee beans to extract perfect results. The long shot needs a lengthier brewing process, requiring beans that can give you the ideal outcome.
So, denser coffee beans will give the extraction to achieve the desired flavor.
Espresso coffee beans
As we know Espresso is a highly consumed drink. An espresso shot brews with every size and kind of bean. However, darkly roasted coffee beans have been recommended by many to get a superior espresso taste.
Darkly roasted beans have a specific color and flavor, making a perfect espresso.
Ristretto vs long shot: How can I make these drinks at home?
If you are good at making different coffee flavors, ristretto and long shot shouldnt be difficult for you. Here is an easy step to make these excellent coffees at home—however, any espresso machine can make either ristretto or a long shot.
How to make a Ristretto shot at home?
Finely ground coffee requires a ristretto shot. It will make sure less water passes through it. Ristretto is made with a 1:1 brew ratio.
- Fill up your espresso machine reservoir with cold water.
- Place 14 grams of ground coffee in the filter.
- The last step is to brew coffee for 15 seconds.
- It will give a ristretto shot of a 0.5 oz size cup.
How to make a long shot (lungo)?
A long shot is prepared with a ratio of 1:3. Normally, coarse-ground coffee requires to make a long shot. Also, a long shot will need 45 ml of water.
A long shot will take 40 seconds to brew. However, you need to check the brewing time because the real long shot will be diminished if over-extract.
The long shot uses the same brewing process as we use for a ristretto. There are a few differences we should keep in mind.
- First, select coarse-ground coffee for a long shot.
- Add water to the water reservoir of the espresso machine.
- Start extracting for 40 seconds.
- It will make 45 ml of the long shot per cup.
A delicious cup of a long shot is ready to drink.
Another interesting comparison article.
Americano vs Cappuccino: what are the differences?
Final thoughts
This comparison between Long shot and ristretto actually tells you how we can make regular espresso with different variations. Well, to be more precise, both ristretto and long shot are espresso drinks with different volumes.
You will love long shots if you want a bitter taste and aroma. Also, a long shot is prepared in a large glass with almost double the amount of espresso and ristretto. Ristretto small concentrated shot of espresso.
Also, you can add these drinks as the base drink for other coffee flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the ristretto shot taste better?
Ristretto has a sweeter and richer taste. And long shot comes with a less strong but bitter taste. It is up to you which flavor you like most.
Why do people drink ristretto?
Ristretto comes in a small cup. This drink is easy to make. Ristretto is a strong drink with a sweeter taste. Ristretto has a small-sized drink compared to espresso and a long shot.
Can I put milk in a ristretto cup?
Yes, you can add milk to your ristretto drink. You need a few ounces of milk to put on top. But the taste of the ristretto remains the same.
Does flat white use a ristretto shot?
Yes, it can add two cups of ristretto. Flat white is a smaller drink than a latte.
