AeroPress Recipes: 5 Ways to Brew, Including the Inverted Method

The best AeroPress recipe for most people is simple: 15 g of medium-fine coffee, 220 g of water at about 200°F (93°C), a quick stir, a 2-minute steep and a gentle 30-second press. That gives you a smooth, full cup in under three minutes. But the AeroPress is famous for being flexible, so below are five recipes, from that everyday cup to the inverted method, a bold concentrate, an iced brew and a strong travel recipe.

The AeroPress was invented by Alan Adler, a retired Stanford engineering lecturer, and unveiled in 2005. It combines immersion brewing (like a French press) with gentle air pressure and a paper microfilter, producing coffee with good body but very little sediment. It is light, nearly unbreakable and easy to clean, which explains why so many coffee lovers carry one everywhere.

AeroPress Basics Before You Brew

• Grind: AeroPress handles everything from fine to medium. Finer grind = faster extraction, so pair finer grinds with shorter steeps.
• Water: 175–205°F (80–96°C). Cooler water suits dark roasts; hotter water suits light roasts.
• Filter: Rinse the paper filter in the cap with hot water before brewing to remove paper taste.
• Capacity: The standard chamber holds roughly 250 ml of water, so it brews one strong mug at a time. Dilute with hot water for a larger cup.
• Press gently: Light, steady pressure for 20–30 seconds. Stop when you hear a hiss; pushing through the dry bed adds bitterness.

Here is a quick overview of the five recipes:

Grams of water equal milliliters, so 220 g is about 7.5 fl oz. If you do not have a scale, 15 g of coffee is about 2.5 level tablespoons.

Recipe 1: The Standard AeroPress Recipe

The upright method is the easiest and works for any coffee.

1. Insert a paper filter in the cap, rinse it, and twist the cap onto the chamber.
2. Set the AeroPress on a sturdy mug and add 15 g (about 2.5 tbsp) of medium-fine coffee.
3. Start a timer and pour 220 g (7.5 fl oz) of water at 200°F (93°C).
4. Stir for about 10 seconds so all the grounds are wet.
5. Insert the plunger about half an inch into the chamber. This creates a slight seal that slows dripping.
6. At 2:00, press down slowly for about 30 seconds.

Tip: Some coffee drips through before you press. That is normal and does not hurt the flavor.

Recipe 2: The Inverted AeroPress Method

Coffee drinkers came up with the inverted method to stop early dripping completely, so all the water stays in contact with the grounds for the full steep. It produces a slightly fuller, rounder cup.

1. Push the plunger into the chamber just past the rubber seal, then stand the AeroPress upside down on the plunger, on a stable, flat surface.
2. Add 17 g (about 3 tbsp) of medium-ground coffee.
3. Pour 210 g (7.1 fl oz) of water at 200°F (93°C), leaving space at the top.
4. Stir for 10 seconds. Rinse a filter and twist the cap on.
5. At 2:00, place your mug upside down on top, then carefully flip the whole thing in one confident motion.
6. Press gently for about 30 seconds.

Safety note: You are flipping a chamber full of hot water. Make sure the plunger is seated firmly, use a heavy mug, and never do this on a wobbly surface or with kids nearby.

Recipe 3: Espresso-Style Concentrate

An AeroPress cannot reach the pressure of an espresso machine, so this is not true espresso and will not have real crema. It is, however, a short, intense concentrate that works beautifully as a base for milk drinks. For the real thing, see our guide to making espresso at home.

1. Add 20 g (about 3.5 tbsp) of finely ground coffee to the chamber, upright, with a rinsed filter.
2. Pour 90 g (3 fl oz) of water at 195°F (90°C).
3. Stir vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. At 1:00, press firmly but steadily for about 20 seconds.

What to do with it

• Americano-style: top with 4–6 fl oz (120–180 ml) of hot water. Our article on Americano vs long black explains the difference between adding water first or last.
• Latte-style: add 6–8 fl oz (180–240 ml) of steamed or frothed milk.
• Dark roasts like Italian Roast or Decaf Espresso give the most espresso-like flavor.

Recipe 4: Iced AeroPress

Brewing hot directly onto ice keeps the aromatics that slow cold brew loses, and it takes two minutes.

1. Fill a sturdy glass with 120 g (about 1 cup) of ice.
2. Set the AeroPress upright on the glass with a rinsed filter and add 18 g (about 3 tbsp) of medium-fine coffee.
3. Pour 110 g (3.7 fl oz) of water at 200°F (93°C) and stir for 10 seconds.
4. At 1:30, press gently onto the ice. Stir until chilled and add more ice if you like.

Want it creamy? Follow our iced latte recipe using this concentrate instead of espresso.

Recipe 5: Strong Travel AeroPress

The AeroPress packs into a backpack or carry-on and brews a seriously strong mug with whatever hot water you can find. For this recipe, pre-grind your coffee at home and store it in an airtight container.

1. Pack 20 g (about 3.5 tbsp) of medium-fine coffee per brew, plus a few filters.
2. Bring water to a boil and let it settle for a few seconds, about 205°F (96°C).
3. Brew upright directly into your mug: add the coffee, pour 200 g (6.8 fl oz) of water and stir.
4. At 2:00, press slowly.
5. Pop the puck into the trash and rinse the plunger: cleanup takes seconds.

For long days on the trail, a high-caffeine blend like Max Caf Blend is a natural fit. Check out our guide to coffee for hiking and camping for more outdoor tips.

AeroPress Recipe FAQ

What is the best grind for an AeroPress?

Medium-fine, a bit finer than drip coffee, suits most AeroPress recipes. Go finer with shorter steeps (around 1 minute) and medium with longer steeps (2 to 3 minutes).

Is the inverted AeroPress method better?

Not better, just different. It stops coffee from dripping through early, which gives you full control over steep time and a slightly fuller body. The standard method is safer and still makes an excellent cup.

Can an AeroPress make real espresso?

No. Espresso is brewed at high pressure that a hand-pressed AeroPress cannot reach. It does make a strong concentrate that works well in lattes and Americano-style drinks.

How much coffee do I use in an AeroPress?

Most recipes use 15 to 20 g, or about 2.5 to 3.5 level tablespoons. Use less for a lighter cup and more for a concentrate you plan to dilute.

Find Your Favorite AeroPress Recipe

Start with the standard AeroPress recipe, then try the inverted method and the concentrate. Change one thing at a time (grind, steep or temperature) and you will quickly find the cup you love. Feel Espresso roasts every coffee order 1–5 days before delivery, so your AeroPress gets fresh, aromatic beans every time. Try the Best Sellers Sample Pack to test six coffees in your AeroPress.