The Perfect Cappuccino Using The Drive Espresso
How to Create Coffee Magic in Your Kitchen!
So you've got your hands on some Commercial Drive Coffee Company - the Organic Medium Roast - "Drive Espresso" and you're ready to transform it into cappuccino perfection?
Let's do this!
First, Let's Talk About What Makes a Cappuccino Special
A proper cappuccino is coffee artistry in perfect balance: 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 milk foam. It's the Goldilocks of coffee drinks - not too strong, not too milky, but juuuust right.
The Ingredients for Magic
- The Star of the Show**: The Drive Espresso Organic Medium Roast (with those well-balanced, chocolatey notes and zero acidity)
- The Supporting Actor**: Fresh milk (more on your options in a moment!)
- The Set**: Your favorite cappuccino cup (ideally 5-6oz/150-180ml for authentic sizing - sorry for this, but one of those “Italian Rules” is there is no large cappuccino - no 8-16oz cappuccino)
- Behind-the-Scenes Crew**: Espresso machine, grinder, tamper, milk pitcher.
Let's Make Coffee Magic!
Step 1: Espresso Excellence
- Warm up your espresso machine (15-20 minutes for best results)
- Grind 18g of The Drive Espresso Organic beans to medium-fine consistency
- Distribute grounds evenly in your portafilter
- Tamp with about 30 pounds of pressure (imagine pressing a doorbell really firmly)
- Pull a double shot (about 36g of liquid gold in 25-30 seconds)
*Pro tip: The Drive's chocolate notes will shine with a slightly longer extraction - aim for 28-30 seconds if possible!*
Step 2: Milk Mastery
Now for the big question - what milk should you use? Let's break it down:
**Whole milk (3.5%)** - The traditional champion! Creates silky microfoam with natural sweetness that complements The Drive's chocolatey profile perfectly. This should be the go to milk choice, but alas we realize that there are many who would like different;
**Other delicious options:**
- 2% milk** - Still foams nicely with slightly less richness
- Oat milk** - The plant-based MVP! Creamy texture, froths surprisingly well, and has a natural sweetness
- Almond milk** - Lighter option that lets The Drive's flavor notes take center stage
- Lactose-free milk** - Nearly identical performance to regular milk
- Barista-formulated plant milks** - These are specifically designed to steam and foam properly
**Milks to approach with caution:**
- Skim milk** - Foams easily but can create larger, less stable bubbles
- Rice milk** - Tends to be too watery for proper foam
- Regular coconut milk** - Too much coconut flavor will compete with your coffee
The Steaming Technique
- Fill your pitcher about 1/3 full (milk expands!)
- Submerge the steam wand tip just below the surface
- Turn on steam and create a whirlpool effect
- Once you hit 100°F/37°C, lower the wand slightly deeper
- Aim for velvety microfoam, not stiff peaks or big bubbles
- Stop at 140-150°F/60-65°C (hot but not scalding)
*Pro tip: Listen for a subtle "tss-tss" sound - when it starts to sound like paper tearing, you're creating perfect microfoam!*
Step 3: The Assembly
- Pour your double shot into your warmed cappuccino cup
- Hold back the foam with a spoon and pour in steamed milk until cup is 2/3 full
- Top with foam to create a perfect dome
- Optional: Tap the pitcher gently to pop any large bubbles
Step 4: The Finishing Touch
Want to really showcase your Drive Espresso cappuccino? Try one of these:
- A light dusting of cocoa powder (complements those chocolate notes!)
- A sprinkle of cinnamon (for a cozy twist)
- Latte art if you're feeling fancy (the rich crema from The Drive makes a perfect canvas)
Why This Works So Well
The Drive Espresso Organic Medium Roast was practically made for cappuccinos! Its Italian-inspired profile, with balanced flavor and subtle chocolate notes, stands up beautifully to milk without getting lost. The lack of acidity means your cappuccino will be smooth and never sour.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Foam disappearing too quickly?** Your milk might be overheated. Stay below 150°F/65°C.
- Espresso tastes bitter?** Try a slightly coarser grind or shorter extraction time.
- Not enough foam?** Make sure your milk is fresh and cold when you start steaming.
- Plant milk not foaming?** Try a barista-specific version or add a tiny pinch of xanthan gum.
The Final Sip
There you have it - cappuccino perfection with The Drive Espresso! The beauty of using a locally-roasted, medium espresso like this is versatility. Whether you choose traditional whole milk or a plant-based alternative, The Drive's smooth, earthy profile will shine through.
Remember, making great cappuccinos is part science, part art, and completely worth the effort. As we say on Commercial Drive, "Life's too short for bitter coffee!" Now go forth and foam!
Join us on our next post as we will show you how to make an “Almost Cappuccino” using a stovetop moka as we know not everyone has a fancy dancy machine…
At the Commercial Drive Coffee Company, we offer 8 roasts – all in 300g – all small batch roasted for optimal freshness – all but 2 are Organic Coffee. He is what we have for you to enjoy the next time you are brewing a pot of coffee or making an espresso or espresso based drink:
· The Organic Medium Roast Grandview Whole Bean or Ground
· The Organic Dark Roast Park Drive Whole Bean of Ground
· The Organic Medium Roast Drive Espresso in Whole Bean
· The Organic Medium Roast Woodland Swiss Water Decaf in Ground
· The Dark Roast East Village Espresso in Whole Bean
· The Medium Roast Continental in Whole Bean
We have you covered at the Commercial Drive Coffee Company!! Bring a little bit of East Vancouver Italian flavours into your home.
We are so very proud to say that we are 100% Canadian Owned and Operated and that we roast and package our coffee in BC!