The Aeropress is versatile and forgiving — perfect for traveling or experimenting with different grind sizes and brew times. It produces a concentrated, full-bodied cup.
Recipe 1: Classic single cup
Boil water (90–95°C). Grind 18g of coffee slightly coarser than espresso — like fine sand.
Place a paper filter in the cap, rinse with hot water, and lock the cap onto the chamber.
Add coffee grounds. Start your timer and pour 250g of water. Stir 6 times.
Insert the plunger and pull back slightly to create a vacuum seal. Steep until 0:45.
At 0:45, press down steadily for about 20 seconds. Stop when you hear a hiss. Total brew time: ~1:05.
Recipe 2: Low-dose, long steep
A gentle, very forgiving recipe in the style popularised by James Hoffmann: less coffee, a fine grind and a long, undisturbed steep for a sweet, clean cup.
Grind 11 g of coffee fine. Use water just off the boil.
With the AeroPress standing normally on your mug, add the coffee and pour in 200 g of water.
Insert the plunger about 1 cm to stop it dripping and wait 2 minutes.
Holding the brewer and plunger, give it a gentle swirl, then wait 30 seconds more.
Press slowly and gently for about 30 seconds.
Recipe 3: The inverted method
Insert the plunger a little way into the chamber and stand the AeroPress upside down on the plunger.
Add 15 g of medium-fine coffee and pour 220 g of water at about 90 °C. Stir 3–4 times.
Screw on the cap with a rinsed filter and steep until 1:30.
Carefully flip it onto your mug and press steadily for 20–30 seconds.
AeroPress troubleshooting
Hard to press
The grind is too fine or you're pressing too hard. Go a little coarser and use gentle, steady pressure.
Sour and thin
Grind finer, use hotter water or steep longer.
Bitter or drying
Grind coarser, use slightly cooler water, and stop pressing when you hear the hiss.
Leaks through before pressing
Insert the plunger slightly right after pouring to create a vacuum — or use the inverted method.
AeroPress FAQ
Is the AeroPress inverted method better?
Not necessarily — it simply stops coffee dripping through early, which makes timing easier. Standard orientation with the plunger inserted slightly does the same thing more safely.
What grind size for AeroPress?
Anywhere from fine to medium works. Finer grinds suit short brews; coarser grinds suit longer steeps.
Can AeroPress make espresso?
It makes a strong, concentrated coffee, but not true espresso — it can't reach espresso pressure, so there's little crema.
Paper or metal filter?
Paper gives a cleaner, brighter cup; a metal filter lets oils through for more body and a heavier texture.