How to Make a Cappuccino Without an Espresso Machine (4 Ways)

How to Make a Cappuccino Without an Espresso Machine at Home

Want to make a delicious cappuccino at home that tastes just as good as one from a coffee shop? And the best part—without any special equipment? We’ve got you covered! If you have a coffee machine, it’s simple: brew the espresso, froth the milk, and pour it into a cup. That’s it. Enjoy a good cappuccino! But what if you don’t have a machine? Does that mean no cappuccino? Or no cup of coffee at all? Definitely not! You can still make a delicious cup of cappuccino at home. Let’s discuss how. 

For the best cappuccino, you only need 2 ingredients:

• Frothed milk
• Espresso

So, to make a cappuccino, you need to do two things:

• Froth milk at home without a coffee machine
• Make espresso without a coffee machine

Once both are ready, pour the espresso into a cup, add the frothed milk, and top it with a layer of milk foam. Enjoy your delicious cappuccino! Ready to make a cappuccino recipe without a machine? Or perhaps a café latte, since they use the same ingredients? Let’s dive in!

How to Froth Milk for Homemade Cappuccino

To make a cappuccino, you need to froth the milk first. Specifically, you’ll need to froth it at home without an espresso machine — or more precisely, without the steam wand that comes with an espresso machine. We tested all the popular ways to froth milk. Check the list of tools below and pick the one you already have at home—or choose your favorite! We also have a full blog post showing how to froth milk with each tool. Check the link to learn exactly how to do it.

Best Tools for Perfect Cappuccino Foam at Home

• A handheld frother – it’s small, lightweight, and perfect for frothing! Plus, it’s easy to take with you when traveling or moving. Take a cup of milk and froth at a slight angle first. Then, continue in a circular motion through all the milk. Use a mason jar, a cup, or a glass, but don’t fill it too much. Leave room for the foam. Learn exactly how to make cappuccino foam with a handheld frother — check the full guide here!
• A French press is our favorite because you can make frothed milk and coffee or espresso. One tool does it all! Froth at the surface of the milk first, then froth through all the milk. You’ll see large bubbles. Froth at the surface again to make the bubbles tiny and the texture creamier. For step-by-step instructions, check this blog post.
• A jar with a lid. It doesn’t froth as well as a French press or handheld frother, but it still works if you don’t have other tools. Simply pour milk halfway into the jar, close the lid tightly, and shake. For full details, check here.

You can also use these tools and techniques to froth almond milk or other non-dairy options. You can even try making latte art! 

If you want to make an Italian coffee drink like a cappuccino or latte in the middle of a hot summer, try an iced cappuccino. Remember that frothing cold milk for cold coffee drinks is a bit different. So, check out our post on how to froth cold milk before. 

How to Choose the Best Milk for Frothing

To make a cappuccino recipe without a machine, you need the perfect milk foam first. Choose the right milk for frothing. Here’s how:

• Use warm milk
• Choose milk with 2.5–3.5% fat and at least 3% protein
• Whole milk gives the best results. Avoid powdered, boiled, or hot milk—they don’t froth well
• Don’t re-froth milk

What Not to Use to Froth Milk (It Won’t Work!)

Let’s discuss the tools that don’t work. Based on our trials, we don’t recommend using:

• An immersion blender
• A hand blender
• A mixer

Why? Because these methods only make the milk slightly frothy. We tested them, and they don’t create the thick foam you need for a true cappuccino.

How to Make Espresso

Now you know how to froth milk at home for a barista-quality cappuccino. The second ingredient you need is espresso. So, let’s take a look at how to make espresso for a cappuccino without an espresso machine.

Best Ways to Make Espresso Without a Machine

With a few simple tools, you can easily make espresso at home. They are:

• Turkish coffee pot – You can make coffee the Turkish way. The coffee turns out very fragrant. Use finely ground espresso coffee and make sure it’s of good quality.
• French press – It’s very easy to use. You need medium or coarse-ground coffee to make a delicious espresso in a French press.
• Moka pot espresso – Use finely ground coffee. It tastes the best!
• Brewing in a cup – If you don’t have equipment, brew espresso in a cup with medium-ground coffee.

If you’ve got espresso beans, grind them before use. Want a stronger espresso? Just use less water. Prefer a cappuccino with a stronger taste and an extra caffeine kick? Simply add a double espresso.

We’ll explore step-by-step how to make espresso without a machine using each method.

In a Turkish Coffee Pot

Let’s start with a Turkish coffee pot and brew a strong espresso.

1. First, add coffee and water to your Turkish coffee pot and stir it together. For exact measurements of water and coffee, check our recipe card.
2. Heat it on low until foam starts to form on top.
3. Remove from the heat for a minute. Then put it back on to heat again and foam up.
4. Let the coffee rise and remove again.
5. Let it rest for 2 minutes, and your espresso is ready!

Top tip: Add a spoonful of cold water to the pot to settle the grounds for a smoother texture.

Ready for a hot cup of cappuccino? Now, froth or steam your milk. Add espresso, pour in frothed or steamed milk, and top it off with a little cap of foam.

You can also add your favorite coffee mixture to the Turkish coffee pot. For example, we love adding cinnamon to coffee for extra flavor. There’s even a trend on TikTok – make cinnamon coffee for money and prosperity! Check out our method in our blog post.

In a French Press

The French press is great for frothing milk and making espresso. Let’s go through the steps to make espresso together:

1. Rinse the French press with boiling water and discard it.
2. Add your coffee grounds and pour in hot water. Want exact amounts of water and coffee? You’ll find them in the recipe card. Close the lid, but don’t press the plunger yet.
3. Wait 4–5 minutes, then slowly press down the plunger to brew coffee.
4. If your French press filter isn’t fine enough, you can strain the coffee to remove any grounds.
5. Froth your milk, add espresso to the cup, pour in the frothed milk, and top with cappuccino cream!

In a Moka Pot

Now, let’s make espresso in a Moka pot – the perfect stovetop espresso maker.

1. Fill the moka pot with water, but don’t go above the valve.
2. Add your ground coffee beans to the filter basket, but don’t pack it down. See the recipe card for the right water-to-coffee ratio.
3. Assemble the pot and heat it up. Brew over medium heat.
4. Wait for the coffee to brew and flow into the top chamber.

1. Try one of our frothing methods. Froth your milk into thick cappuccino foam, then add an espresso shot and frothy milk to your cup. Finish with a layer of milk foam on top.
2. Optional: Sprinkle a little cinnamon or chocolate powder for extra flavor! Your homemade frothy cappuccino is ready!

In a Cup (No Equipment)

If you don’t have any other tools, you can still brew espresso directly in a cup. This is the simplest method:

1. Take a thick cup and pour hot water into it to warm it, then remove it.
2. Add your coffee to the cup, and if you’d like, add some sugar and spices. Need the perfect water and coffee amounts? Check the recipe card.
3. Boil some water and let it sit for 3 minutes. We need the water to be around 95°C (or 200°F), so we let it rest before using it.  
4. Pour the water in a thin stream over the coffee. Cover the whole surface. This helps the coffee brew under a layer of water.
5. Let it brew for 5 minutes. Don’t cover the cup.
6. Gently remove the coffee crust that forms on the coffee surface. 

1. Froth milk. Add espresso and frothed milk.
2. Add your milk foam. Or whipped cream. And boom—you’ve got a next level cappuccino at home!

To make a flat white, use 2 shots of espresso and froth your milk with a French press. The milk texture should be creamy, not too frothy – perfect for this drink!

How Much Espresso and Milk for a Cappuccino?

For a homemade cappuccino recipe, you need a strong shot of espresso and frothed milk. The ratio is 30-40 g of espresso to 120-150 g of milk. 

As a coffee lover, you know how important it is to balance milk and espresso in a cappuccino. Divide your cup into ⅓ espresso, ⅓ frothed milk, and ⅓ foam (or a little “cap”). Traditionally, you add espresso first, then the milk, and then the foam. We prefer adding frothed milk first, as we love the creamy blend of espresso and milk. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what tastes best!

Now you know how to make the perfect cappuccino in the comfort of your home. See? A cappuccino recipe without a machine is really simple! Choose the method that works best for you! Check the full recipe and the measurements for every method in the recipe card below. Enjoy your homemade version of a barista-style cappuccino!

More Recipes for Coffee Drinks and Desserts

Now that you know how to make a cappuccino without an espresso machine, why not try something new? Check out our iced coffee recipe with milk if you’re in the mood for iced drinks because of the warm weather. We’ll show you two ways to add ice to your coffee so your drink stays strong, flavorful, and delicious.

Want to add more flavor to your coffee? How about cinnamon? As we did in your reading post, we describe different methods for adding cinnamon to your coffee. You can choose the one that works best with the equipment you have on hand.

You can also boost the flavor of your homemade cappuccino with white chocolate coffee syrup. It’s easy to make, stores well in the fridge, and you can add a pump or two to your favorite drinks.

We love using flavored ingredients in our homemade cappuccinos. Ever thought of trying cinnamon-flavored milk? Instead of just sprinkling cinnamon on top, you can infuse the milk with cinnamon. It smells wonderful and tastes amazing! Looking for a sweet treat to pair with your cappuccino? Try carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It’s extra soft, fluffy, and full of warm spices with crunchy nuts! If you’re looking for something healthier, go for homemade granola bars. Skip the sugar and sweeten them with dates, then sprinkle some chocolate. Make a big batch and store them in the fridge for the perfect dessert break.

Frequently Asked Questions