Abstract: The invention relates to a coffee percolator for selectively making normal coffee or espresso, comprising a water flow path extending between a cold water supply inlet and a brewing unit, said flow path being divided into a first branch including a pressure pump, and a second branch including a valve adapted to close or be closed in the espresso making mode, and further comprising control means for activating said valve(s) and/or said pump in response to the selection of the type of coffee to be made. The invention is directed towards the provision of a coffee percolator of this type, which is of simplyfied and economic construction and substantially failure-proof. This is achieved by providing that the flow path is employed in common for the water used for making espresso and normal coffee, and is only divided adjacent the pump into the first flow path branch including the pump and the second flow path branch forming a bypass across the pump.