How To Prepare Espresso Video

Check out this excellent video from the guys at The Department of the 4th Dimension, a design and production studio. They examine what goes into making a cup of espresso by interviewing Kyle Glanville, a barista at Intelligentsia Coffee in Venice, California.

Some take home points:

• Every variable in espresso making is very critical.
• Any misstep will manifest itself in the cup.
• Feel the grind and then adjust accordingly.
• Preheat cup with hot water while you prepare the espresso.
• Make sure your filter basket is nice and dry so that the oil released from the coffee can do its job.
• Redistribute coffee in basket so that the water can extract the coffee evenly.
• Proper espresso extraction will take about 20-30 seconds.
• Adjust grind depending on the look and taste of your espresso.
• If your espresso shot looks pale, tastes a little thin then you might have to adjust grind a little finer.
• If your espresso shot looks black, too short and tastes super bitter and compact then adjust grind a little coarser.

Espresso, Intelligentsia from Department of the 4th Dimension on Vimeo.

Hijos De Villa Pistol Reposado Tequila

Imagine for a second taking your favorite shot of tequila from a shot glass. Now imagine someone actually shooting a shot of tequila into your mouth with a glass tequila pistol. That dream almost becomes a reality with Hijo De Villa Pistol Reposado Tequila. Although it’s bottle is shaped like a pistol, it doesn’t actually shoot the tequila like a pistol. You still need to pour it into a shot glass. It’s still is a nice conversation starter and collectible for any serious tequila collector.

Buy the Hijos De Villa Pistol Reposado Tequila from Napa Cabs for $28.95.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Shot

3/4 oz Frangelico Hazlenut Liqueur

3/4 oz Chambord Liqueur

Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until cold. Pour into a shot glass and serve.

This shot sounds really tempting. I just might have to try it out! If any of you have the above ingredients, try it out and let me know how it is!

Photo courtesy of Flickr user iirraa.