Everything You Need to Know About Espresso

☕ From the cheapest to the most expensive, Espresso prices tell a story about each city's economy and culture. We track this drink in 98 cities globally.

Where Espresso Comes From

Espresso was born in Turin, Italy around 1884 when Angelo Moriondo patented the first espresso machine. The word means "pressed out" in Italian, referring to the pressurized brewing method.

Espresso Cocktail Recipes

• Espresso Martini — The iconic vodka-meets-coffee cocktail, invented in 1983 by Dick Bradsell in London.
• Carajillo — A Spanish classic: espresso with Licor 43 or brandy, served over ice.
• Affogato Spiked — Pour a shot of amaretto over vanilla gelato, then drown with hot espresso.

Food Pairings

Espresso pairs wonderfully with: Dark chocolate, Cannoli, and Amaretti cookies.

Serving tip: Drink within 2 minutes — the crema starts degrading immediately.

Category History

Coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi around 850 AD. From Ethiopia to Yemen, then to Venice and the world — coffee became the fuel of the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the modern workday.