The single and double shot options on the Breville Barista Express espresso machine can be confusing, but the key difference is simple: the amount of ground coffee used and the volume of espresso produced. A single shot uses a smaller dose of coffee to produce about one ounce of espresso, whereas a double shot uses a larger dose for a two-ounce pull, which is the standard for most modern cafe drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right shot setting on your Breville machine for the perfect coffee every time.
Breville Barista Express: The Single Shot
The single-shot function is the traditional espresso serving, providing a concentrated, flavorful pull in a small volume. This setting uses a smaller amount of ground coffee and less water, resulting in a classic one-ounce shot. It is the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys a straight espresso, a macchiato, or needs a precise, smaller base for specific recipes.
- What it is: A pre-programmed setting on the Breville Barista Express designed to extract approximately 1 ounce (30 ml) of espresso.
- Key features: Uses the single-wall or dual-wall one-cup filter basket. Requires a smaller dose of coffee grounds (typically 8-10 grams). The shot volume can be manually reprogrammed to your preference.
- Price: A feature of the Breville Barista Express machine, which costs approximately $700-$800.
- Style: Delivers a traditional, European-style espresso experience with a rich crema and intense flavor.
- Pros: Ideal for straight espresso connoisseurs. Provides precise control for smaller drinks like cortados. Consumes less coffee per serving. Lower caffeine content than a double shot.
- Cons: Can feel underwhelming as the base for larger milk-based drinks. The flavor can get lost in a standard-size latte.
This setting is for the coffee drinker who appreciates traditional espresso or wants precise control for smaller, balanced coffee drinks.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Breville Barista Express: The Double Shot
The double shot is the go-to setting for most home baristas and the foundation for nearly all drinks served in modern coffee shops. It uses a larger dose of coffee to extract a two-ounce shot, providing a more robust base that stands up well to milk and water. It's the setting you'll use for making lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and Americanos.
- What it is: A pre-programmed setting designed to extract approximately 2 ounces (60 ml) of espresso.
- Key features: Uses the single-wall or dual-wall two-cup filter basket. Requires a larger dose of coffee grounds (typically 16-19 grams). The shot volume is also fully programmable.
- Price: A core feature of the Breville Barista Express machine (~$700-$800).
- Style: Provides the standard shot volume used in modern cafes for creating popular espresso-based drinks.
- Pros: Creates a strong foundation for lattes and other large drinks. More efficient workflow for making cafe-style beverages. Delivers a more pronounced coffee flavor in milk drinks.
- Cons: Higher caffeine content per serving. Uses more coffee beans, which can be less economical over time.
This option is perfectly suited for those who primarily make milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos or enjoy a larger, stronger Americano.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Breville Barista Express Single vs. Double Shot Comparison
Shot Volume & Coffee Dose
The most direct difference is in volume and the required coffee dose. A single shot on the Barista Express defaults to a one-ounce extraction and requires the smaller single-shot filter basket, dosed with around 8-10 grams of coffee.
The double shot defaults to a two-ounce extraction, using the larger double-shot filter basket with 16-19 grams of coffee grounds. This larger volume is crucial for achieving the right coffee-to-milk ratio in drinks like a flat white or cappuccino, preventing the espresso flavor from being diluted.
Taste & Strength
While a double shot is larger, it isn't simply twice as strong. The extraction dynamics are different due to the larger coffee puck. A properly dialed-in double shot provides a rich, balanced, and complex flavor profile that makes it the standard base for most espresso drinks. It delivers a robust flavor that can cut through the sweetness of steamed milk.
A single shot is more concentrated and delicate. Its flavors can be pronounced when enjoyed on its own, but they tend to get lost when mixed into a large volume of milk. For milk drinks, a double shot almost always tastes better and more like what you’d expect from a coffee shop.
Workflow & Usability
Your choice of shot impacts your workflow. If you want a 12-ounce latte, pulling one double shot is far more efficient than pulling two separate single shots to get the same volume. The double shot setting is designed for speed and convenience when making standard-sized drinks.
The single shot option makes more sense when you intend to drink espresso straight or are making a small, traditional drink like a macchiato, where a double shot would be overpowering. Both the single and double shot volume buttons on the Breville Barista Express are programmable, allowing you to customize the final volume to your exact specifications.
Which Shot Setting Should You Use?
Both settings on the Barista Express excel at producing quality espresso, but they serve different preparations and preferences.
Use the Single Shot setting if:
- You prefer drinking traditional, straight espresso.
- You are making very small drinks like a standard macchiato or a cortado.
- You're mindful of your caffeine intake and want a smaller dose.
- A specific baking or cocktail recipe calls for one ounce of espresso.
Use the Double Shot setting if:
- You are making a standard-sized latte, cappuccino, flat white, or Americano.
- You want a coffee flavor that is strong enough to stand up to steamed milk.
- Your goal is to replicate the drinks you buy at a coffee shop.
- Caffeine is what you need to start your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between single and double shots?
The main difference is the amount of coffee grounds used and the resulting espresso volume. A single shot uses about 8-10g of coffee to produce 1 oz of espresso, while a double shot uses 16-19g of coffee to produce 2 oz of espresso.
Which filter basket should I use for single and double shots?
The Breville Barista Express espresso machine comes with four filter baskets. There is a single-cup basket (for single shots) and a double-cup basket (for double shots), each with a single-wall (for fresh beans) and dual-wall (for pre-ground coffee) version. Always match the basket to the shot size for proper extraction.
Can I program the shot volume on the Barista Express?
Yes. Both the single and double shot buttons are programmable. To customize, press and hold either button to begin the extraction. Press it again to stop when your desired volume is reached. The machine will save this setting for future use.
Is a double shot simply two single shots combined?
No. A double shot is pulled as one continuous extraction from a larger dose of coffee. This results in a more balanced and complex flavor profile compared to combining two separate single shots.
How much coffee should I use for a single versus a double shot?
For a single shot, aim for 8-10 grams of ground coffee. For a double shot, the ideal dose is typically between 16 and 19 grams. You can adjust the dose using the grind amount dial on the machine.
Does a double shot have double the caffeine of a single shot?
Generally, yes. Since a double shot uses roughly double the amount of coffee grounds, it will contain approximately twice the caffeine of a single shot, though the exact amount can vary based on bean type and roast level.
Why does my double shot taste better in a latte?
A double shot provides a stronger, more robust flavor base that doesn't get masked by the high volume of milk in a latte. The delicate flavors of a single shot are often too weak to be noticeable, resulting in a drink that tastes more like warm milk than coffee.
When brewing a double shot, should I use the one-cup button twice?
No. For a double shot, you should always use the larger double-shot filter basket, dose it with enough ground coffee for a double shot, and press the two-cup button once for extraction. Using the one-cup button twice on a single-shot dose will over-extract the coffee, leading to a bitter taste.
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