Did you know that coffee is the most widely consumed drink in the world? Everyone likes their coffee slightly differently – sweetener or sugar, oat milk or full-fat, strong or weak.
When you make your coffee at home this also gives you more flexibility with the recipes.
Making a great cup of coffee at home is one of life’s little pleasures and it can save you so much money in the long run. A coffee machine is not necessary for these recipes, but if you do have one it may make things a lot quicker.
Here are the best homemade coffee recipes that you need to try today.
1. Copycat Starbucks Caramel Latte Recipe
Are there any Starbucks fans reading? Regardless of your favourite coffee chain, many caffeine lovers enjoy adding something a little sweeter to their fix which is where caramel comes in.
Caramel lattes are one of Starbucks’ signature drinks and it’s not hard to see why.
The added caramel is the perfect addition for anyone with a sweet tooth, it adds a richer, smoother quality to the drink. This is perfectly easy to do at home as you only need three ingredients: caramel syrup, espresso, and milk.
Caramel syrup or any syrup really can be purchased from a coffee shop, supermarket, or big retailer such as TK Maxx. They aren’t too expensive to buy and will last you ages (depending on how many coffees you’ll be asked to make!).
2. Iced Coffee Recipe
Iced coffee on a hot day is a match made in heaven. No longer will you have to wait in line to get some of that cooling goodness.
This recipe uses instant coffee so there is no need to worry about using a machine. The richness of this blend comes from a little single cream.
As cream contains saturated fat it’s best to keep the use of it to a minimum to reduce the risk of an increased cholesterol level. One little treat won’t hurt every now and then though! Simply omit this from your mixture if you don’t fancy it on the day.
To go a step further, this recipe can be easily altered to incorporate any flavour you feel like. Add some caramel or vanilla syrup to the cup for a sugary treat. Put it in your favourite to-go cup with a straw and head out to start your day.
3. Easy Homemade Latte
Coffee lovers will know that a latte is all about the milk. This recipe doesn’t require a machine or a milk frother, which makes it accessible to everyone.
All you’ll need to achieve a barista-style drink at home is a small kitchen whisk and your microwave.
The recipe works with any type of milk, however, oat milk and other non-dairy alternatives do not foam as much as dairy products. Do not be disheartened if that happens, it will still taste amazing even if there is less foam than usual.
To make your drink a little more special, serve it in your favourite mug or large latte glass to make you feel like you’re in a cosy little coffee shop.
4. Homemade Cappuccino
Dreaming of an Italian cappuccino in the comfort of your own home? An espresso machine is needed for this recipe, but a cappuccino effect can still be achieved with instant coffee.
Follow this handy guide from the experts over at Nescafé to find out how.
If you are using a coffee machine, learning when to turn the machine off before the coffee becomes watery is important here.
Once you’ve steamed the milk, you can decide whether or not to pour the milk to form a smooth or foamy head to suit your personal preference.
Top your fluffy cappuccino with a sprinkling of chocolate powder for a barista-style coffee at home. Why not try finding fun stencils to make that cup a little more interesting? You can find these at many craft shops, homeware shops, or online retailers.
5. Classic Americano
An americano is a classic coffee order, although it may seem simple to some many coffee lovers like a simple yet effective caffeine boost incorporated into their day.
The origin of the coffee is thought to come from the stronger espresso, with more water added to weaken it.
This recipe does call for the use of an espresso machine, but you can easily brew strong coffee using a French press instead.
If an Americano is too strong for your liking this is easy to remedy, you can try it over ice or with milk to make a white Americano.
6. Iced Vanilla Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
Another Starbucks recipe? Well, it only makes sense since Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the world.
This vanilla latte recipe is made with a few simple ingredients and allows you to put your own spin on things for a coffee truly made for you.
You will need vanilla syrup for this blend, which can be bought really easily in most supermarkets or coffee shops. To make a really authentic Starbucks recipe you could even buy their own brand of syrup to make this sweet, milky latte.
We love that the milk rather than the coffee is where the delicate vanilla flavours are infused into.
7. Easy Homemade Mocha
A mocha is a firm favourite with new coffee drinkers as it’s sweeter and less intense than a normal coffee. This rich and chocolatey recipe is truly something to behold and if you have company, something you can easily treat them to!
Rather than using a shop-bought mix of hot chocolate or syrup, this recipe calls for you to make your own if you dare. All it takes is a little cocoa powder, sugar, and water.
Milk and heavy cream are blended with the coffee to make this the perfect winter warmer.
The cream is optional, so don’t feel that you need to include it if you prefer to opt for a more low-key drink.
8. Flat White
A flat white is a coffee staple. When you aren’t sure what you’re in the mood for, the blend of rich coffee and a little milk will help to satisfy those caffeine cravings.
Using a milk frother will make things easier, but we understand that not everyone has one of these.
You can froth the milk by microwaving it and using a kitchen whisk to encourage foam to form. Mastering the recipe is the key to success with a flat white! Who knows, you may even develop a talent for latte art on top of your coffee.
9. Oat Milk Latte
Oat milk has taken non-dairy and vegan communities by storm in the past few years. The creamy smooth milk makes an excellent alternative to dairy.
For best results, we recommend using a barista blend or version of oat milk as they can replicate the frothy foam of dairy milk.
Depending on your preferences, make some espresso or brewed coffee to go in your drink. This recipe will show you how to make your latte extra foamy and tasty by placing a sealed jar in the microwave if you don’t have a steamer.
To level up your latte game, sprinkle the top with a little cinnamon or chocolate powder. The recipe can also be adapted to work over ice too.
10. Healthy Peppermint Mocha
If you’ve never had a peppermint mocha before, this is your sign to make one immediately! This is the ultimate winter drink that will make you feel like you are in Santa’s workshop.
Using milk, peppermint extract, cocoa powder, and coffee you’ll make the perfect creamy yet cool coffee that is just as good as any coffee shop.
Peppermint extract might seem like it’s hard to find, but it should be in any well-stocked baking aisle of the supermarket. Alternatively, you can try making your own, but this will add to the making process.
This is the perfect drink to enjoy around Christmas, you could even serve it up to everyone on Christmas morning for a real treat.
11. Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew is a type of ground coffee that is made using room-temperature water. This cold mixture is less bitter than normal coffee and also has a lower acidity, which makes it popular with many new coffee drinkers.
Learning how to make your own cold brew is the difference between a delicious iced coffee and a watery slushy monstrosity. Iced coffee is a summer staple but it can be hard to master.
This recipe does require you to grind coffee beans which is probably more work than you’d prefer but the results will be so much better!
Straining the coffee is also a huge part of this process, so you’ll need a cheesecloth or something similar.
Final Thoughts
Here are our best coffee recipes that can be made in the comfort of your own home (if you’re looking for something to go with your coffee, check out ‘Coffee Cake Recipes‘). To make vegan or non-dairy versions of any of these recipes, simply swap out the regular milk for your favourite non-dairy alternative.
Happy drinking!