An apparatus for the preparation of hot beverages by brewing a water-extractable particulate substance includes a delivery pump (5), water heater (6), brewing area (36) and beverage outlet (7). The apparatus comprises a delivery member in the form of a screw shaft (10) provided with at least one flight (13) by means of which the particulate substance is delivered into and out of the brewing area (36) in one and the same direction. An extraction area (37) is provided downstream of the brewing area (36) in which the substance is compacted by the screw shaft (10) and thereby the essence of the substance extracted or the substance is additionally extracted. This is achieved by the pitch of the flights (13) in the region of the extraction zone (25) being smaller than in the region of the brewing zone (24).