Guide · Espresso machines
What is a ristretto? The short shot explained
A ristretto is the shortest, most intense espresso shot. Here's how it compares with an espresso and a lungo, what size it is on popular machines, and how to make one.
What is a ristretto? It’s a short espresso: the same idea as an espresso shot, but with less water, so you get a smaller, more concentrated coffee. De’Longhi describes it as the shortest and most intense shot of espresso. This guide explains how a ristretto compares with an espresso and a lungo, how big it is on popular machines, and how to make one at home. We haven’t tested this in person. Our facts come from De’Longhi’s published guidance and Currys’ machine listings. Read how we compare.
What is a ristretto? The basics
De’Longhi UK calls it a 1oz shot of espresso and suggests serving it in a pre-heated espresso cup.
De’Longhi’s instructions for its ECAM35X.75 bean-to-cup machine show how the sizes compare by default:
| Drink | Default size on De’Longhi ECAM35X.75 |
|---|---|
| Ristretto | about 30ml (adjustable from about 20 to 40ml) |
| Espresso | about 40ml |
| Espresso lungo | about 120ml (adjustable from about 80 to 180ml) |
So a ristretto is a little shorter than an espresso, and much shorter than a lungo.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who finds espresso too strong. A ristretto is even more concentrated.
Does a ristretto have more caffeine?
No. Although it tastes more intense, De’Longhi says a ristretto contains less caffeine than a longer shot, because caffeine increases with the amount of water. We haven’t found a published caffeine figure for a ristretto specifically, so we won’t put a number on it. For a guide figure for espresso, the European Food Safety Authority gives about 80mg for a 60ml espresso.
Ristretto vs espresso vs lungo
| Ristretto | Espresso | Lungo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Least | Standard | Most |
| Default size (De’Longhi ECAM35X.75) | About 30ml | About 40ml | About 120ml |
| Taste | Most intense | Concentrated | Milder, longer |
| Caffeine (De’Longhi’s guidance) | Less than longer shots | In between | More than shorter shots |
For the long version, see what is a lungo.
Ristretto sizes on pod machines
Pod machines handle ristretto differently:
- Nespresso Vertuo Pop (ENV90.B): Currys lists a 25ml ristretto among its cup sizes, alongside a 40ml espresso and a 150ml Gran Lungo. It was £99 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. See it at Currys.
- Nespresso CitiZ (EN167.B): Currys lists just two cup sizes, 40ml and 110ml, so there’s no separate ristretto button. If you use ristretto capsules, check the pack for the cup size to use. The CitiZ was £175 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. See our Nespresso CitiZ review.
Ristretto pods we found on 3 Oct 2026:
- L’OR Espresso Ristretto, 10 pods for £4.25 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026, or 40 for £10.00 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026
- L’OR Espresso Ristretto Decaf, 10 pods for £4.25 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026
- Morrisons The Best Fairtrade Ristretto, 10 pods for £3.25 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026
- Jacobs Espresso Ristretto for Tassimo, 16 cups for £6.25 at Tassimo UK, checked 3 Oct 2026
Check that any pods fit your machine before you buy. For more Nespresso options, see our Nespresso guide.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a long drink from a pod. Choose a lungo or mug-size capsule instead.
How to make a ristretto at home
- Bean-to-cup machine: look for a ristretto or “short” option. De’Longhi says the length of the coffee, from short (ristretto) to long, can be programmed on its bean-to-cup machines. The ECAM35X.75 has a ristretto setting that defaults to about 30ml, and its 2X button can make two at once.
- Manual espresso machine: use your usual espresso dose and stop the shot earlier, so less water goes through. De’Longhi says a single espresso uses around 7 to 8g of beans. If you’re still learning to pull shots, start with how to make espresso at home.
- Pod machine: use a ristretto capsule and the cup size its pack recommends.
Whichever way you make it, De’Longhi suggests pre-heating the cup.
FAQ
What is the difference between a ristretto and an espresso? A ristretto uses less water, so it’s shorter and more concentrated. De’Longhi’s ECAM35X.75 makes about 30ml for a ristretto and about 40ml for an espresso.
Is a ristretto stronger than an espresso? It tastes more intense, but De’Longhi says it contains less caffeine, as caffeine increases with the water quantity.
How big is a ristretto? De’Longhi UK calls it a 1oz shot. Its ECAM35X.75 makes about 30ml by default, and Currys lists 25ml for the ristretto on the Nespresso Vertuo Pop.
Can you make a ristretto on a Nespresso machine? Yes. Some Vertuo machines, such as the Vertuo Pop, have a 25ml ristretto size. On machines without one, use ristretto capsules and follow the pack’s cup size.