How To Make A Cortado At Home Without An Espresso Machine

Heading to a coffee shop before work is an enjoyable way to kickstart the day, but the cost of that daily latte can really add up. According to ABC News, the average American spends over $1,000 a year at cafes and coffee shops alone. And while splurging on an espresso machine for your home kitchen can be a solution, quality ones come with their own financial barrier too. Luckily, these aren't the only options available for your cup of espresso, and you don't need to be a trained barista to make yourself that quality cup of joe. You can make a latte, coffee, or whatever kind of caffeinated treat you prefer all in the comfort of your home for a low price. Take the deliciously simple cortado for example. 

If you're not familiar with this drink, a cortado is equal parts espresso and steamed milk, via Food & Wine. With such simple makeup, you'd think the only things you'd need to make it are some heat and an espresso maker. Well, the process can actually become even more simple than that. Here's how to make a cortado at home without an espresso machine.

While you can make a cortado from your kitchen without the help of any machine, there are more than a few ways to make an at-home espresso without dropping hundreds of dollars. According to Atlas Coffee Club, AeroPress is a great example of an alternative. The price of one of these retails for much less than traditional espresso makers, coming in at around $30 on Amazon, and closely mimics the espresso-making process of a machine. The AeroPress works the same way, sending hot water through a condensed pod of ground espresso beans, only you do it all by hand instead of automatically. 

Another great alternative to an espresso machine is the tried-and-true French press, per Real Good Coffee Co. The easy-to-use gadget includes a glass pitcher and a plunger, and you only need ground espresso beans and hot water. While this method is usually done to make traditional coffee, you can make an espresso shot simply by using less water. According to Perfect Brew, the moka pot is another great form of espresso maker. Known for being a stovetop espresso machine, this typically retails for around $20. Finally, if you'd like to go completely machine-free, there's an easy solution to help you make the best lattes, cappuccinos, and cortados from home, and you only need two things. 

While there are a lot of alternatives to expensive espressos, the easiest one requires no machine or special gadget at all. Co-founder of Coffee Project New York Kaleena Teoh says that "specialty brand instant crystallized coffee" can give you the espresso you desire without all the hassle, via Food & Wine. While the packets are meant to produce something like a traditional drip coffee, they can make espresso too. You'll simply just need to add a little bit of water to the coffee until it reaches your desired espresso shot level.

Another recommendation Teoh offers is to turn that espresso into a cortado, via Food & Wine. According to her, the power is in the drink's simplicity. "The beauty of the cortado is how the milk cuts the bitterness of the espresso while still allowing the flavors to shine," Teoh said. So, if you're in the mood, use a handheld milk frother and add equal parts milk to your espresso shot.

While nothing is going to give you a cafe-quality drink like an espresso machine, there certainly are a few things that come close.