A lungo is a type of espresso made with the same amount of coffee grounds but roughly double the water of a regular shot. The name comes from the Italian word for “long” — and that’s exactly what it is: a longer espresso pull that produces a bigger, milder, slightly more bitter drink than a standard espresso.
If you’ve ever wanted espresso but found regular shots too small or too intense, the lungo sits in an interesting middle ground worth exploring.
What Is a Lungo?
A lungo is a single or double espresso shot pulled with about 3–4 oz (90–120ml) of water instead of the standard 1–1.5 oz. The same amount of ground coffee is used — the machine simply runs water through the grounds for longer, typically 35–60 seconds instead of the usual 25–30 seconds.
The result is:
- A larger drink (3–4 oz vs 1–1.5 oz for a regular espresso)
- Less intense coffee flavor per sip
- A slightly more bitter finish (due to longer extraction pulling more bitter compounds)
- Marginally more caffeine than a single espresso (more water extracts more compounds from the same grounds)
Lungo vs Espresso vs Americano: What’s the Difference?
This is where most people get confused. Here’s the clear breakdown:
| Espresso | Lungo | Americano | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water through grounds | 1–1.5 oz | 3–4 oz | 1.5 oz (then hot water added) |
| Extraction time | 25–30 sec | 35–60 sec | 25–30 sec |
| Total drink size | 1–2 oz | 3–4 oz | 5–8 oz |
| Flavor | Intense, sweet | Mild, slightly bitter | Clean, smooth |
The critical difference between a lungo and an Americano: with a lungo, the extra water passes through the grounds during extraction. With an Americano, you pull a normal espresso shot and then add hot water to it afterward. This produces a noticeably different flavor profile — the Americano is smoother and more balanced; the lungo has a more bitter, extracted character from the extended contact time.
What Does a Lungo Taste Like?
A lungo tastes like a gentler, larger espresso. Compared to a regular shot, the lungo is:
- Less sweet — sugars extract early in the pull; the extended extraction dilutes their concentration
- More bitter — longer contact time pulls more bitter compounds from the grounds
- Lighter in body — more water means less concentrated flavor per ounce
- Higher in total caffeine — though the same grounds are used, longer extraction pulls out more caffeine
If you find regular espresso too intense and small, but Americanos too diluted and flat, a lungo sits comfortably between them — a genuinely useful drink for the right coffee drinker.
How to Make a Lungo at Home
Making a lungo requires an espresso machine. The process is exactly like pulling a regular shot — you just let it run longer.
What you need:
- Espresso machine with portafilter
- 18–20g of espresso-ground coffee
- A small cup or glass (4 oz capacity)
Instructions:
- Grind 18–20g of coffee at your normal espresso setting. You may need to go slightly coarser than usual (see tip below).
- Dose and tamp into the portafilter as normal.
- Lock the portafilter into the group head.
- Start extraction and let it run for 35–60 seconds, targeting 3–4 oz (90–120ml) in your cup.
- Stop extraction when you reach your target volume.
- Serve immediately — lungo oxidizes quickly like all espresso.
Grind tip: For a lungo, grind slightly coarser than your regular espresso setting. A fine grind at extended extraction times creates an overly bitter, harsh lungo. Start with your normal espresso grind and adjust one step coarser if it tastes too harsh.
Lungo on Nespresso and Pod Machines
If you have a Nespresso machine, many capsules are designed specifically for lungo-size brewing (110ml instead of the standard 40ml espresso volume). Nespresso Vertuo machines automatically detect the lungo capsule size and program the correct brew volume.
For the best lungo experience on a Nespresso machine, look for capsules labeled “Lungo” in the Nespresso lineup. The Nespresso Original Line Lungo Pods are specifically roasted and blended for the longer extraction. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Is a Lungo Stronger Than Espresso?
This depends entirely on what you mean by “stronger.”
- Caffeine content: A lungo has slightly more total caffeine per drink than a single espresso, because the longer extraction pulls out more caffeine from the same grounds.
- Flavor intensity: A lungo tastes less intense per sip than espresso, because the flavor compounds are more diluted across a larger volume of liquid.
So a lungo is stronger in caffeine but weaker in flavor concentration. Think of it as “more coffee volume, gentler experience.”
When Should You Drink a Lungo?
Order or make a lungo when:
- You want something larger than an espresso but don’t want the added water of an Americano
- You prefer a slightly milder espresso flavor with a longer drinking experience
- You’re drinking it black and want something to sip for longer than a shot lasts
- You find regular espresso shots disappear too fast
Lungo FAQ
How much caffeine is in a lungo?
A lungo made with 18g of coffee grounds contains roughly 120–150mg of caffeine — slightly more than a double espresso (80–120mg) because the longer extraction pulls out more caffeine from the same dose.
Is a lungo the same as a long black?
No. A long black (popular in Australia and New Zealand) is made by pulling a double espresso over hot water — similar to an Americano. A lungo runs all the water through the grounds during extraction, which produces a different and more bitter flavor.
Can I make a lungo with a moka pot?
Not really. Moka pots brew until the water chamber is empty, so you can’t control the extraction volume. The lungo technique is specific to espresso machines where you can stop extraction at a precise volume.
What beans work best for a lungo?
Medium roast beans handle the longer extraction well — they have enough body to stand up without becoming too bitter. Very light roasts can turn sour at extended extraction times. Avoid them for lungo unless you’ve specifically dialed in the grind.
Is a lungo good with milk?
You can add a small amount of milk or cream, but a lungo is typically drunk black. Adding milk moves it closer to a latte territory, and the lungo’s mild flavor can get lost under too much dairy.
For more on the espresso drink family, check out our full guides on what is an Americano, what is a cortado, and what is a flat white — each occupies a distinct spot on the espresso spectrum.
