An espresso shot is a small but mighty burst of concentrated coffee, made by forcing hot water through finely ground, tightly packed coffee beans under high pressure. It’s bold, rich, and intense—with a velvety layer of crema on top that hints at its freshness and quality. Despite being just about an ounce, it packs serious flavor: earthy, nutty, slightly sweet, or deeply robust depending on the roast. It’s the foundation of many coffee drinks, but also a stand-alone sip for those who like their coffee strong and unfiltered.