Making coffee/espresso at home for tiramisu recipe

• I'd like to make tiramisu, which calls for espresso. But I'm not a coffee drinker, I don't keep coffee at home, and I don't own any coffee makers or espresso machines of any kind. What's the easiest way to get (make or buy) some espresso for my tiramisu recipe? I just need about 1 cup of espresso for the recipe - this is not something I will drink every day. It doesn't need to be super-authentic either - most recipes say that a cup of super-strong coffee will do. My kitchen is reasonably well-stocked with appliances - stove, microwave, pots, pans, a tea kettle, a http://www.aplusrstore.com/photos/large/duet_tea_empty_with_plunger_lrg.jpg, etc. (Again, no coffee maker or espresso machine.) I have access to several supermarkets close by, as well as coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts and some indie ones. I'm located in a major city in the U.S. Could I just walk into Starbucks and get a cup of espresso for a reasonable price (say $2-4), or do they only sell it by the shot? If I go to the supermarket, what exactly should I buy, how much do I need, and how should I prepare it? Please be as detailed as possible - don't just say "buy some coffee at the store," please tell me whole beans or ground, dark roast or light roast, etc. Tell me what to look for on the label, and what to do with it after I buy it.

• Answer:

  I would just go to my local coffee place and ask for however many shots make one cup. But I am lazy, and sometimes feel that my time is worth more than my money. How much effort to you really want to put into this?