What type of coffee is served as a small, strong shot?

The type of coffee served as a small, strong shot is espresso. It is made by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee, producing a concentrated drink usually served in a 25–30 millilitre portion.

Espresso is recognized by its intense flavor, dense body, and often a golden-brown foam called crema. The pressure-driven brewing method extracts both dissolved compounds and tiny suspended particles from the coffee. A typical shot is brewed in roughly 25–30 seconds, though modern recipes vary according to the coffee and equipment.

The drink originated in Italy. Angelo Moriondo patented an early steam-driven coffee machine in Turin in 1884. Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni later helped develop and commercialize machines suited to preparing individual servings quickly, helping espresso become central to Italian café culture.

Espresso is the foundation of several familiar drinks. An Americano combines espresso with hot water; a latte adds substantially more steamed milk; and a cappuccino balances espresso with steamed milk and milk foam. Although espresso has more caffeine per millilitre than drip coffee, a single shot often contains less total caffeine because its serving is much smaller.