Starbucks and other fancy cafés make an effort to give off a unique atmosphere while crafting coffee beverages. The eatery aims to give off a certain atmosphere, which is why they can get away with charging high prices for just coffee and milk.
It’s certainly not our intent to denigrate expert baristas. A coffee drink crafted with expertise tastes significantly better than one whose creator is inexperienced. We don’t want to give the impression that your first time using an espresso machine will be at the same standard of a qualified barista.
We intend to take away the mysteriousness behind the iced caramel macchiatos, white chocolate mochas, and pumpkin spice lattes served at coffee shops, providing you with the guidance to prepare these drinks in the comfort of your own home.
The Classics
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We won’t tell you precisely how to brew coffee or espresso; it’s comparable to suggesting that you look at your kitchen faucet or water dispenser and saying “This is the water recipe.” We highly recommend that you purchase the highest-grade espresso beans or dark roast coffee you can find, and grinding them right before you brew them, instead of buying pre-ground coffee that quickly loses its freshness and flavor.
Cappuccino
A perfect cup of coffee in the morning consists of equal amounts of espresso or strong coffee, steamed milk, and milk foam – equal parts of each, or one-third of each ingredient.
While you are making the espresso, heat the milk and get the frothy milk ready. Put one or two shots of espresso into the cup or mug, then slowly pour an equal measure of milk to achieve the cappuccino’s “layered look.” Top off with an equal portion of foam. For a nice final touch, sprinkle a bit of cocoa powder or shave some chocolate on the top.
If you feel sure of yourself in regards to your barista technique, then attempting to create a bit of latte art is an option. If you use a traditional porcelain cappuccino cup with a wide opening and opt to make a “wet cappuccino” using microfoam rather than an “ordinary milk froth,” you are likely to have the most favorable outcome. (More about that when we discuss lattes.)
Here’s how to express your inner artistry. Tilt the cup of espresso at a 20-degree angle and slowly pour the steamed milk onto the top of the crema with a wand or pitcher. Return the cup to an upright position and still pour the liquid slowly so that there is a small ring of very fine foam in the center of the cup.
Now, it’s time to make the design that you want using extra milk. As you make progress in your skills, the design you can create will be increasingly impressive. Do not tarry in beginning to pour the milk or the crema will begin to fade away.
Is latte art necessary? No doubt, this will clear up any doubts about your proficiency as a barista.
Caffè Latte
After having had some experience with decorating coffee with designs, you are all set to produce a latte in its traditional form (which might also be referred to as a café latte in America). It is much like a cappuccino, constructed with precision using espresso, warm milk, and top it off with some milk foam. The coffee consists mainly of espresso and steamed milk in the ratio of 1:2, and there is just a tiny amount of foam on top.
There is a sizable divergence, but there is also an insignificant one. Using microfoam to top off a latte is ideal since the bubbles in it are so tiny that it is almost impossible to differentiate them from each other. Microfoam is thicker and more viscous than common foam, making it hard to produce perfectly without a specialized tool such as a steam wand or hand-held frother from an espresso maker. Making the ideal microfoam takes sufficient practice and skill.
Do you have the ability to create a latte with macrofoam, which has larger bubbles, as opposed to microfoam? Sure. It won’t have the same credibility, and making the excellent latte art that reveals your skill as a barista will be harder.
This beverage is usually poured into a taller glass than what is used for a latte.
To give it a different flavor, add two tablespoons of vanilla simple syrup (which is distinct from vanilla extract) to your latte, and you’ll have a vanilla latte. Substitute hazelnut syrup for the regular syrup in order to make a hazelnut latte. If you’re addicted to the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, try making a similar version: Mix together the milk, two tablespoons of pumpkin puree, a pinch of pumpkin pie spice, and some vanilla extract. Warm the mixture, then foam it for a yummy treat. Want to try making a trendy flat white? It is simply a latte, where the frothed milk blended into the drink rather than sitting on the surface.
To impress brunch guests, serve them a chai latte. This preparation is similar to a caffè latte, but prepared with spiced chai tea in place of espresso. It is enhanced by two tablespoons of honey and topped with cinnamon and nutmeg. You may use almond milk or oat milk instead to make a vegan chai latte.
Macchiato
In Italian, the word “macchiato” translates to “marked” or “stained”, which is appropriate for this drink since it is made up of one or two shots of espresso with a little bit of steamed milk or milk foam on top. Some folks boost their macchiato with a sweetener to give them a quick pick-me-up.
You can make things in a different order and create a latte macchiato instead; you begin with heated milk, then add a half-shot of espresso, and finish with a layer of foam.
Then there are all the different kinds of coffee that have become popular in the fancy and chain coffee establishments. The two most in-demand macchiatos are caramel and iced caramel, and here is a simple method to make either type! Begin by adding two tablespoons of vanilla syrup to your glass, make a latte macchiato on top of that, and then pour a teaspoon of thick caramel sauce over it. It is possible to prepare an iced version of espresso either by adding ice to it initially or by mixing ice with espresso, vanilla sauce, and milk, before topping it with caramel.
Mocha
A variety of recipes exist for crafting a delicious caffè mocha, but a key element of each one is the combination of espresso, steamed milk, chocolate, and chocolate. Typically, the chocolate component can be cocoa powder, grated chocolate, or chocolate sauce, and you can use dark, milk, or white chocolate.
A common way to make a chocolate coffee is to put two espressos and the chocolate in a cup and stir until the chocolate has dissolved. Then, add double the amount of steamed milk. To make a delicious latte, start by dipping the rim of the glass in chocolate syrup, then pour in your espresso and finish it off with steamed milk. You can finish off the mocha with either milk foam, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or cocoa powder – take your pick! Want to put a twist on this yummy drink? Try adding a little peppermint extract.
Iced mocha is especially well-liked in the summertime, and you can prepare it the same way that you would make a caffè mocha. Be certain to put the ice in your cup prior to pouring the espresso (or heated coffee) and milk.
Winter Coffee Drink Ideas
These winter coffee recipes incorporate more natural ingredients than what you typically find at coffee shops, like refined sugars and artificial flavors. The great thing is that you can whip these up at home, thus saving you some cash!
Peppermint Mocha winter coffee recipe
This winter coffee concoction features peppermint extract and cocoa powder as its flavoring and coconut sugar to give it a bit of sweetness. The perfect combination for winter is the smooth chocolate combined with the refreshing peppermint. This is a tastier and more nutritious option compared to the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha.
- In a saucepan over medium heat your milk, cocoa powder, and coconut sugar until sugar is dissolved.
- Turn off the heat and add peppermint extract and stir to combine.
- Brew your espresso using whichever method you have available. I just did the easy button and used espresso concentrate which I just poured directly into the mix I made above.
- Froth your peppermint mocha milk you just made until it has a nice foam.
- Pour your shots into a coffee mug and then your frothed milk overtop.
- Enjoy your frothy Peppermint Mocha as you stroll nearby neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights!
Dirty Chai Winter coffee recipe
A dirty chai is what is referred to when espresso shots are included in a chai tea latte. This drink is spicy, sweet and so tasty! Be cautious of this type because it packs a hefty caffeine content unless you opt for the decaffeinated version. You’re consuming caffeine from both the coffee and the black tea. It’s perfectly fine if you want to, however if you’re avoiding caffeine, then you can either choose not to have the black tea and/or coffee at all, or if you do, make sure it’s decaffeinated.
- Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until starting to bubble on the sides of the pan then add tea bags.
- Turn off the heat and let your tea bags steep for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags when the milk turns a desired color or once the tea has been fully steeped.
- Add your date syrup, maple syrup, and spices whisking until combined.
- Make your espresso any way you have available to you (percolator, Nespresso, espresso concentrate, etc.).
- Pour your chai into your coffee mugs and then your espresso over top.
- Stir and enjoy as you wander through Zoo Lights!
Gingerbread latte winter coffee recipe
This gingerbread latte has a satisfyingly deep taste, with nuances of molasses, nutmeg, and cloves – just the right spices to warm up a cold winter day! I incorporate date syrup in this dish because it is an organic sweetener that tastes a bit like gingerbread, making it the ideal sweetener for this recipe.
- Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat and add spices, molasses, and date syrup.
- Stir until well combined and warm.
- Make espresso shots using whatever method you have available to you (percolator, concentrate, Nespresso, etc.).
- Froth milk until it’s nice and foamy.
- Add shots to your mugs and pour frothed gingerbread milk overtop.
- Enjoy your gingerbread latte as you bake homemade gingerbread cookies!
Healthy Eggnog winter coffee recipe
You can create your wintertime snacks with natural components as well — like my pleasant eggnog winter coffee formula! You’ll be amazed that this is created using all natural ingredients, considering how creamy and packed with delicious spices it is – just like real eggnog!
- Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a glass bowl until creamy.
- In a saucepan over medium heat whisk the milk, cream, salt, and nutmeg until it comes to a simmer.
- Scoop a little bit of warm milk over the egg and sugar mixture. Keep doing this until all the milk is combined with the egg/sugar (you’re tempering the eggs to prevent them from scrambling).
- Add mixture back to the saucepan over low-medium heat and mix continuously for about 3-5 minutes until it becomes just a little thicker. IMPORTANT: As soon as the milk thickens just slightly, turn the heat off and remove the pan from the heating element or your eggs will scramble and nobody likes scrambled eggnog.
- Remove the eggnog from the heating element and add vanilla extract stirring to combine.
- Make espresso using whatever method you have available to you (concentrate, Nespresso, percolator).
- Add egg nog to your mugs and top with espresso.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon on top and enjoy as you browse a holiday craft fair!
What Makes a Great Winter Coffee Drink
A few qualifications need to be met to make the ideal winter coffee beverage.
- First, it should be warm! You want something to keep your hands cozy and your belly toasty while you stroll around looking at the beautiful holiday lights!
- Second, it should have the flavors of the season – peppermint, gingerbread, and eggnog are all great options!
- Third, it shouldn’t be too high in calories – save that for baked goods and home cooking!
What to Eat with Winter Coffee Drinks
These icy coffee flavors are great companions to a winter creation like my sourdough pumpkin cinnamon rolls. These drinks are incredibly satisfying by themselves since they are created with either milk or a dairy alternative, making them a great choice of refreshment.
How to Make Espresso for Winter Coffee Drinks
I must confess, I took the easy route with these recipes this time! I employed espresso extract to make all of these cold weather coffee recipes. For my Fall coffee recipes, I tried out every espresso-making technique there was, including the percolator, Nespresso, and concentrate.