How to make espresso while camping (no stove needed)

What to pack

• A fully charged Cota (2–4 shots from cold water)
• Capsules or pre-ground espresso coffee in an airtight tin
• A small vacuum flask of hot water to save battery
• A camp mug, and the drip stand if you want to brew into a glass
• A USB-C power bank for longer trips

Step by step

• Unscrew the cup and fill the reservoir with about 60 ml of water.
• Fit the right adapter: Original capsule, Dolce Gusto®-format pod or 8 g of ground coffee lightly tamped.
• Screw the cup back on and press the button. The light shows it is heating.
• When the water reaches about 90 °C the pump starts automatically. Stop it once the shot is pulled.
• Unscrew the cup and drink — or brew straight into a glass using the drip stand.

Battery tips

Cold mornings drain batteries faster. Keep the machine in your sleeping bag overnight and use hot water from a flask whenever you can — the battery then only needs to pump, so you get many more shots per charge.

Getting better crema

Use fresh capsules or coffee ground for espresso within the last week. Fill the ground-coffee basket to the line, level it and tamp lightly — too hard and the pump struggles, too loose and the shot runs thin.