God Shot, noun: The most perfect shot of espresso you’ve ever made or tasted.
This is no mere shot of espresso grabbed and gulped on your way to work. This is the one espresso that is so perfect that it changes the way you think about coffee. Have you ever had one?
I once had a god shot at Stumptown Coffee in Portland, Oregon, though I didn’t know to call it that at the time. In fact, I didn’t know much about coffee at all back then, and I had only just discovered that I liked drinking coffee black. That morning, I was feeling fancy and slightly adventurous, so I ordered an espresso.
I remember that I took one sip and my eyebrows lifted. I remember that it was unlike any other coffee or espresso I had ever tasted, as complex and interesting as a glass of good wine. It was smooth and almost creamy. Utterly delicious.
Now, I don’t know if this was technically a god shot by barista and coffee connoisseur standards. But it was definitely a god shot for me. That espresso has become my standard by which all other espressos are judged. It definitely changed the way I thought about coffee.
What’s your “god shot” story?
Related: What is the Best Way To Make Coffee At Home?
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It wasn't an espresso shot, but I had a god cup-of-coffee once. It was at 21st Street Coffee in Pittsburgh. They used the manual drip cone and because they weren't crowded and I was interested, they walked me through every step and did it extremely carefully. It was so good!
When I go back to Pittsburgh, I will certainly be going there
Great timing as always. I've never hears tht term before either, but I had a god shot a few weeks ago in DC. There's a great independent bookstore called Politics & Prose, and they have a little cafe in the basement. Best. Espresso. Ever.
I think coffee, and espresso in particular, is so interesting because the roasted beans are such a complex ingrediant. There are so many layers from where, and how they're grown, to how they're cleaned and dried, to the way they're roasted and finally grinding and brewing the coffee. It's almost more of an art than a science because there are just too many variables to try and nail down.
What makes the 'god shot' so alluring is that when you get one it's probably due as much to luck as skill, and there's no guarentee that you'll be able to get a 2nd one, so you might as well enjoy it while you can :)
I can still remember a few of the best shots I've ever had, but I remember the #1 best as being so much better than the rest that I don't know if I'll ever be able to top it.
The Filling Station in Westport, KCMO has given me multiple god shots (I feel like I'm talking about sexual experiences). I believe it's due to the oils in the coffees they roast and the skill and tools of the baristas. I constantly crave their espresso...yum!
I run a small bookshop café in Switzerland together with my wife. I pride myself on pulling a decent espresso, if I may say so (our customers say so, at any rate). The coffee roast, grinder, espresso machine, water hardness, even air humidity - all this is important, but the crucial point in my opinion is hygiene. I meticulously clean all the equipment every night and constantly groom the machine in between shots. It's worth it! When I get everything right it's a god shot indeed - I have never heard this expression but I know exactly what you mean. I have hitherto referred to it as "it's like an angel peeing on your tongue". :-)
I was in Portugal in september. I love a good espresso, and "um cafe" there was really non-expensive. Not always the best you've ever had, but not expensive. Anyway there was this little cafe up a hill near our hotel that had this knock you off your feet espresso. But it was up a hill. My fiance was not awake and could not be bothered to go, but every morning for the 4 days I was there I climbed up the hill to fetch my little cup of perfect.
I miss Lisbon.
Intelligentsia in Chicago for sure. My partner and I stopped by on the first day of a week-long vacation in the fall of 2008, and we returned every day that week for their espresso. I moved to San Francisco this summer and am surrounded by superb coffee shops, but I've still never had an espresso drink that can compare.
When we walked in that first day, the guy who took our order indicated the barista and said "she's the best we have - all other coffee will be ruined forever." He wasn't lying.
I agree with Sleggo, the Filling Station (Westport or Union Hill) in Kansas City, Mo. has often produced espresso shots that gave me thrills! I'd advise making friends with your local barista, you will get amazing shots. Also, ask your barista if they have experience making shots in the "ristretto" style (it takes longer, its sweeter, its thicker and when done right it's an epiphany).
I ran up to Portland OR about a year ago to visit some very good friends. I set aside one day to hit as many of the legendary coffee places as I could on a highly caffeinated, very wired coffee pilgrimage. I hit Stumptown, Barista, etc, but the one that I'll never forget is Spella. Walked into their tiny space on SW Alder and was blown away by their set of Rancilio pull-lever machines. Beautiful. The resulting espresso was syrupy thick, rich and heady with caramel and brown sugar notes. It made me both deeply happy and rather sad, since I knew it'd be tough to duplicate. Bittersweet indeed!
i'll second the intelligentsia, but i had mine in urbana, IL during college.
Espresso Vivace in Seattle... amazing.
http://www.espressovivace.com/
They roast their own beans, and pull the most complex, and delicious shot of espresso I have ever tasted. They're on Broadway on Capitol Hill, and soon you'll be able to take a light rail line there :)
Café Java Mythe in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It's the perfect little indulgence in the morning on the way to work.
http://www.javamythe.com/
Best shot ever: Waialua estate tasting room in Hawaii (North Shore, Oahu). Hadn't had espresso in 4 days, and it was fresh crema heaven. The fruitiness and deep chocolate flavors are locked into my brain now. I never do straight shots, usually lattes, but this was the smoothest, creamiest, sweetest shot I'd ever had.
the nameless 'bar' (café) on Via Frattina in Rome, where i lived for several years- nutty, sweet, sharp, creamy- all at once. i moved away from Rome two years ago but the first place i will visit when i go back will be this place, where the barrista became a friend. x shayma (PS they also have the best dark chocolate gelato in the world).
woodberry kitchen in baltimore, md. not only is their food OUT OF THIS WORLD... their coffee is the only coffee i could prefer to drink black. it is indeed like enjoying a fine glass of red wine- very complex but mellow and delicious flavors.
ozo in boulder, colorado is incredible. i can't even buy coffee out anymore unless we're going to ozo. and i don't even live in boulder.