Why AeroPress

Invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, the AeroPress combines immersion (like a French Press) with pressure (like espresso). Plus a paper filter — clean, sweet coffee with no sediment.

Why it's iconic: 1 device, hundreds of recipes. The AeroPress World Championship has been held since 2008. Here are the 5 recipes we use in the cafe.

Recipe 1 — Standard (pour-over style)

For coffee with a clean, sweet profile, similar to V60.

  • 15g coffee, medium ground
  • 220ml water at 88°C
  • Mode: Inverted
  • Time: 2:00 total

Steps

  1. Set the AeroPress in inverted mode (plunger up)
  2. Add coffee + 50g water, let it bloom for 30s
  3. Add another 170g water, gentle agitation
  4. At 1:30 attach the filter + cap and flip onto the cup
  5. Press slowly for 30 seconds until 2:00

Recipe 2 — Quick (when you're in a hurry)

For mornings when you have 2 minutes total.

  • 17g coffee, medium-fine ground
  • 200ml water at 95°C
  • Mode: Regular
  • Time: 1:30 total

Steps

  1. Place the AeroPress regular on the cup
  2. Add coffee + all the water at once
  3. Stir 5 seconds
  4. At 1:00 press slowly for 30 seconds

Recipe 3 — Concentrate (espresso-style)

For home cappuccino, or diluted with hot water (Americano).

  • 18g coffee, fine ground (finer than for filter)
  • 90ml water at 90°C
  • Mode: Regular
  • Time: 1:00 total

Steps

  1. Grind fine (between espresso and pour-over)
  2. Add coffee + water in the AeroPress
  3. Stir 10 seconds
  4. Press firmly over 20 seconds
  5. Add steamed milk or hot water (Americano)

Recipe 4 — World Champion 2018 (Carolina Ibarra)

A complex but sublime recipe. For light-roast coffees with floral notes.

  • 17.5g coffee, medium ground
  • 234ml water at 86°C
  • Mode: Inverted
  • Time: 1:30 total

Steps

  1. AeroPress inverted
  2. Add coffee + all the water at once
  3. Agitate 30 seconds (gentle swirl)
  4. At 0:30 flip onto the cup
  5. Press for 1 minute until 1:30

Recipe 5 — Quick Cold Brew

Cold brew in 2 minutes (vs. 18 hours for the classic recipe).

  • 20g coffee, fine ground
  • 60ml water at 90°C (concentrate)
  • 140g ice in the cup
  • Mode: Regular over a cup with ice

Steps

  1. Put ice in the cup
  2. AeroPress regular over the ice
  3. Add coffee + hot water
  4. Stir 10 seconds
  5. Press over 30 seconds — the hot liquid cools instantly on contact with the ice
  6. Stir and drink

How to choose a recipe

You want… Recipe
Classic filter coffee Recipe 1 (Standard)
Quick coffee in the morning Recipe 2 (Quick)
Home cappuccino (with milk) Recipe 3 (Concentrate)
Complex light-roast coffee Recipe 4 (World Champion)
Instant summer cold brew Recipe 5 (Quick Cold Brew)

General tips

  • Rinse the filter with hot water beforehand — removes the paper taste
  • Inverted mode for full timing control
  • Regular mode for speed
  • Press slowly — 30+ seconds, no force
  • Stop at the hiss — when you hear air, you're done

See the AeroPress Original or AeroPress Go (the travel version).

The AeroPress doesn't replace V60 or Chemex — it complements them. It's the perfect brewer when you want flexibility.