Espresso is a potent, flavorful, and full-bodied coffee drink. It’s usually prepared to order and served in small demitasse cups as a “shot.”
A ristretto is a form of espresso prepared using a shorter extraction time. The name “ristretto” actually means “restricted” in Italian because the pull duration is shortened.
SIMILARITIES
Ristretto starts exactly like espresso, with hot water and coffee grounds mingled together under significant force.
DIFFERENCES
The difference between espresso vs. ristretto is the amount of water pressed into the grounds and through the filter. Ristretto uses about half to three-quarters the amount of water, making the ristretto "shorter" than the espresso.
FLAVOR
Since a ristretto halves the extraction time of a standard espresso, you should expect the flavor to be fuller and more intense. Standard espresso tastes strong, bold, and acidic.