The Trailside Espresso Shot Bloc: How to Make DIY Portable Coffee Chews Using Your Manual Espresso Maker

When you're deep in the backcountry, carrying a full brewing setup isn't always feasible. That’s why I came up with The Trailside Espresso Shot Bloc: How to Make DIY Portable Coffee Chews Using Your Manual Espresso Maker. Last summer, while backpacking through the rugged Cascades, I needed a quick, lightweight caffeine kick without stopping to boil water. These chewable, gelatin-bound espresso bites became my ultimate trail companion.

To make these, you need a highly concentrated, rich shot of espresso. On my off-grid adventures, I rely on the

. This manual machine requires no electricity, offering unlimited brewing with simple pressing for off-grid adventures, making it the perfect tool to pull the double shot required for this recipe.

Crafting Your Trailside Espresso Shot Bloc

To make these DIY portable coffee chews using your manual espresso maker, you only need three ingredients:

2 shots of freshly pulled, intense espresso 1.5 tablespoons of grass-fed gelatin powder * 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup

Mix the gelatin into your hot espresso immediately after pulling the shot. Whisk vigorously until dissolved, stir in the sweetener, pour into a silicone mold, and let it set in the fridge (or a cold mountain stream) for 30 minutes.

If you prefer a tech-forward approach back at basecamp before you hit the trail, you can also pull your shot using the

. With its one-touch espresso and auto-heating capabilities, this ultra-portable device brings calm, clarity, and one motion to your prep.

Pop these rubbery, caffeine-dense squares into a reusable pouch, and you have instant, chewable energy. At ViBrew, we live for these hacks—finding wild, unconventional ways to keep the espresso flowing, no matter how far off the grid our boots take us.