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Here are the top coffee drinks to try at home! Hone your barista skills with coffee recipes for pour over, cold brew, cappuccino, and more.
Love a good coffee drink? Or wondering differences between the types? Here’s a list of our top popular coffee drinks that are easy to make at home! We love coffeeshops, but there’s something special about mixing up coffee recipes at home, too. Whether you’re simply trying to understand the difference between a latte vs flat white or ready to whip them up at home…we’ve got you covered! Here are the top popular coffee drinks and recipes for each one.
And now…the top popular coffee drinks (plus recipes)!
One of the simplest of all coffee drinks? Pour over coffee! The glass Chemex looks like a science beaker, but it makes the perfect cup of black coffee. It will take your coffee game to the next level. Here's the equipment you need to make the perfect cup of pour over.
What's pour over coffee? Pour over coffee is drip coffee made by pouring water over coffee grounds in a filter. Drip coffee is made using a percolator coffee machine, whereas pour over is made by a human. Controlling the pouring over the water helps to bring out the nuances in the flavor of the coffee beans.
The French press is one of the easiest, most inexpensive ways to brew a great cup of coffee. It’s a forgiving method that works for all sorts of coffee beans and roasts, and you don’t need lots of extra equipment. It’s the ideal tool for your morning coffee ritual!
What's French press coffee? The French press is a small pitcher with a plunger that’s used to brew coffee and other drinks. It’s most often used for brewed coffee, but the French press also makes tea, cold brew, espresso, and more.
There’s nothing better than a bitter, rich espresso shot with a layer of foamy crema. Even better, once you’ve mastered espresso you can make a whole host of espresso drinks just like your favorite coffeeshop: the latte, cappuccino, flat white, macchiato, and more.
What's espresso? Espresso is an Italian way of making coffee in highly concentrated shots. A single espresso shot is 1 ounce, and a double shot is 2 ounces. Espresso can be sipped in small cups, or used as the base for popular espresso drinks.
Next up: the Americano. Smooth out your espresso into a Caffe Americano, a type of coffee drink that’s tempered with a bit of hot water! This is our favorite way to drink espresso because it makes the drinking experience last a little longer, and it smooths the bitter flavor into something altogether new.
What's an Americano? An Americano is an espresso drink made with hot water and espresso. The drink can be made with either one or two shots of espresso, and varying ratios of water (usually 2:1).
The Cappuccino is one of the most famous of all coffee drinks, with that perfect combination of steamed milk, espresso and frothy foam. Guess what? You can make a barista-quality cappuccino at home that tastes like it’s straight out of an Italian café.
What's a cappuccino? A cappuccino is an espresso drink with steamed milk, milk foam and espresso. It has equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foam (⅓ each).
What's a more iconic coffee drink than the Latte? All you need is a few key tools and you can make a Cafe Latte that rivals your favorite coffeeshop. It comes out perfectly creamy and topped with frothy foam. An espresso machine is preferred, but not required. Want to get fancy? See our How to Make Latte Art.
Also try: Oat Milk Latte, Vanilla Latte, Lavender Latte, Dirty Chai Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte, or Gingerbread Latte
What's a latte? A latte is a coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk and a layer of foam on top. It has ⅓ espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, with a thin layer of foam on top.
The Flat White is another coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk and a layer of foam on top! It’s similar to a latte and cappuccino, but has a thinner layer of foam on top. Modern coffee shops have very small differences between these three coffee drinks, and often times the lines are blurred.
What's a flat white? A flat white is a coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk and a layer of foam on top. It’s similar to a latte and cappuccino, but has a thinner layer of foam on top.
The Macchiato is another favorite coffee drink of ours, ideal for when you want a jolt of caffeine without all the extra calories. The classic definition of a Macchiato is espresso with a generous spoonful of frothy milk on top. Here we'll show you how to make a macchiato…the classic way.
What's a macchiato? A caffè macchiato or espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso that’s topped with frothed milk.
Want an impressive coffee drink? Try the Cortado, aka the Gibraltar! This Spanish coffee drink is intensely smooth, the ideal balance between espresso and milk. It’s rich, robust, and silky, each component bringing out the best in the other.
What is a cortado? The Cortado is an espresso drink of equal parts espresso and steamed milk. It's always the same volume: one doubleshot of espresso and 2 ounces milk.
Want a creamy coffee that’s all about decadence? Try Breve coffee! This tiny coffee drink packs a big punch: strong, bold espresso paired with rich half and half. It’s a total treat and absolutely worth ordering up at your local coffeeshop. It’s also easy to make at home, using your favorite espresso and frothing method.
What's Breve coffee? Breve coffee, aka cafe breve or breve latte, is a drink of equal parts espresso and half and half.
Here’s an espresso drink that almost passes as dessert! Try Espresso Con Panna: a shot of espresso topped with a rich dollop of whipped cream. The two ingredients are the ideal match: the indulgent frothy cream against the bitter, nutty coffee is a true delight. It’s a tiny serving: just the right bite-sized pick me up for a long afternoon or an after dinner treat.
What's an espresso con panna? Espresso con panna (‘espresso with cream’ in Italian) is a coffee drink with a single or double shot of espresso topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
What’s better than a creamy, steaming cup of cafe au lait? This French method of serving coffee is smooth and satisfying, with the perfect ratio of rich milk to bitter coffee.
What is cafe au lait? Café au lait (“coffee with milk” in French) is a coffee drink made of strong coffee and hot or steamed milk.
Love a good cup of café con leche? This Spanish-style drink is popular in Spain and Latin America, and the blend of bittersweet coffee and rich milk true perfection.
What is cafe con leche? Cafe con leche (“coffee with milk” in Spanish) is a coffee drink made of strong coffee or espresso and steamed milk.
The Mocha is one of the most famous types of sweet coffee drinks that combines a latte with chocolate! Here's how to make one: the classic way, with no shortcuts like hot chocolate mix or whipped cream. It's to die for!
What's a mocha? A mocha or mocha latte is a drink made with espresso and steamed milk that’s flavored with chocolate syrup.
Here’s a coffee drink that’s chocolaty, refreshing, and absolutely irresistible: try the Iced Mocha! This one is so deliciously easy to make at home, you’ll never need to go to a coffeeshop again. Just four ingredients make a frothy, creamy drink that’s luxuriously sippable, balancing bitter espresso with real chocolate and frothy milk.
Try either: Iced White Chocolate Mocha or Iced Mocha
What's an iced mocha? An iced mocha is drink made with espresso, chocolate or chocolate syrup, and milk, served over ice.
You don't need to venture out of the house when you're craving a frappe: try this sweet and frosty homemade Mocha Frappe! It's as easy as 4 ingredients, ice, and a blender. This one comes out fluffy and chocolaty, with a subtle bitter coffee finish. It's irresistibly sippable and takes just 2 minutes to blend up.
This unlikely combination of tonic water and espresso comes from Scandinavia, and it’s the perfect summer drink for coffee lovers. The sweet and bitter notes of tonic water accentuate the rich, bitter coffee, and the effervescent bubbles and hint of citrus add bright, refreshing notes.
Let's move to cold coffee drinks, shall we? It’s smooth, it’s refreshing: and it’s easy to make at home! This homemade cold brew coffee recipe requires virtually no special equipment and takes very little hands on time. Want to step it up? Add a dollop of cold foam.
What is cold brew coffee? Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarse ground coffee in cold water for 24 hours, instead of making coffee using hot water and a filter.
There’s something about holding a creamy, lightly sweet iced coffee that makes life just a little bit better! Iced coffee can be made with regular drip coffee or cold brew. The best part is pouring in the milk and watching it swirl! Also try Chemex Iced Coffee.
What is iced coffee? Iced coffee is hot coffee poured over ice, sometimes with milk or sweetener added. You can also make homemade iced coffee using cold brew, which tastes less acidic and bitter.
What’s more refreshing than an iced latte? It’s no wonder this espresso drink is massively popular. The combination of bitter coffee balanced by delicate sweetness and creamy, frothed milk is an absolute delight. There’s no need to run to your favorite coffee shop for this one: it’s easy to make homemade!
Also try: Iced Vanilla Latte or Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
What's an iced latte? An iced latte is a drink with espresso, milk and optional sweetener.
Want a cold coffee drink pick me up? Try Iced Espresso! This spin on iced coffee stars the bold, rich flavor of espresso. Drizzle in a little milk and a hint of simple syrup to balance out the flavor. It’s robust and beautifully refreshing: like a heightened take on your favorite iced coffee!
Also try: Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Espresso
What's iced espresso? Iced espresso is espresso served over ice, often with milk. It’s similar to iced coffee, but it uses espresso instead of brewed coffee.
Are you an espresso lover and want a refreshing spin on the classic hot drinks? Try the Iced Americano! The classic Americano is bold and bitter, and diluting creamy espresso with hot water opens up its flavor and lets you enjoy the cup a little longer. An Iced Americano is ultra refreshing, with the same big, bold flavors you love from a great Americano.
What's in iced Americano? An Iced Americano is a drink made with hot water and espresso, served over ice.
Here’s a refreshing coffee drink that all espresso lovers should try: Iced Cappuccino! Combine espresso and a splash of milk with ice, then top it off with the Starbucks invention for iced drinks: Cold Foam! This extra fluffy, frothy layer mimics the steamed milk in a cappuccino and infuses an airy, lightly sweet lift to each sip.
What's an iced cappuccino? An iced cappuccino is a coffee drink with espresso, milk, ice, and optional sweetener. It’s very similar to an iced latte, but served with cold foam (a la Starbucks).
Need a pick me up? Try Red Eye Coffee! When you just can’t pick between drip coffee and espresso, why not combine them? This drink is extra-caffeinated for those days where you need a little more to power through the day. If you need a quick fix: the Red Eye Coffee is where it’s at!
What's red eye coffee? Red eye coffee is a coffee drink that combines drip coffee with one or two shots of espresso.
Try this unique way to caffeinate: the Coffee Soda! Blend equal parts soda water and cold brew coffee for this one, served up in a tall glass with ice. The flavor blew us away: it’s bittersweet and bubbly, with a brightness from the carbonation that’s reminiscent of nitro coffee.
What's coffee soda? Coffee soda is a drink of espresso or cold brew topped off with club soda.
Last up in our coffee drinks: Irish coffee! There’s nothing more soul warming than that classic combination of bitter coffee, buttery whisky and frothy whipped cream. There are infinite variations on the spiked coffee theme, too. Try Mexican Coffee, Spanish Coffee, Carajillo, Baileys Coffee, or Amaretto Coffee.
What is Irish coffee? Irish coffee is a cocktail of warm coffee with a shot of Irish whiskey, topped with fresh cream or whipped cream. The modern version was invented in the 1950’s in Ireland.
Is an espresso machine required for coffee drinks?
If you love espresso drinks and want to make high quality coffee recipes at home: yes! There’s really nothing better than the creamy, rich flavor that comes from a top quality espresso machine. But if you want a quick and dirty latte: you can do that with minimal equipment! Here are our top recommendations for espresso-making equipment:
- Top choice: an espresso machine. An espresso machine makes top quality espresso drinks: hands won. The steamer steams milk to perfection, and you can pull the most beautiful creamy, espresso. Here’s the one we use: Countertop Espresso Machine.
- Cheaper option: manual espresso maker. It’s portable and it makes good espresso, just not as good as the machine. You’ll need to use it in combination with a milk frothing tool. Here’s the one we use: Manual espresso maker
- Cheapest option: Aeropress. The Aeropress is not nearly as good for espresso, but it works. It’s actually very good for black coffee, though! You’ll also need to get a milk frothing tool for lattes and cappuccinos. Here’s our recipe: Aeropress Espresso
- Milk frothing tools: milk frother, French press or whisk. For the frothing: a handheld milk frother is just $10 and works well. If you already have a French press, it’s great for frothing. Or you can go simple and just use a whisk (not as effective but does the trick).
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What’s better than a creamy, steaming cup of cafe au lait? Here’s how to make it at home…the French way. For the other coffee drink recipes: scroll up!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Coffee
- Cuisine: Coffee
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 ounces (½ cup) strong dark roast coffee (like Moka Pot)
- 4 ounces (½ cup) steamed whole milk (or oat milk for dairy free)
Instructions
- Make coffee using a Moka Pot, or strong dark roast coffee using your method of choice (French press, Chemex, Aeropress, or other).
- Steam the milk with an espresso machine (stretching the milk to 20 to 25% in height), or froth the milk with a frother, French press or whisk.
- Pour the coffee in a cup. Add the steamed milk and serve immediately.
Very helpful !