How to make gourmet coffee drinks at home

Did you know that the average American worker spends roughly $1,100 on coffee drinks each year? Find out how to not be a part of that statistic by making your own at home.

Step 1: Make the swap

Most of our favorite coffee drinks, like the latte and macchiato, aren’t actually made with regularly brewed coffee, but with espresso. But since most of us don’t have an espresso machine, try using coffee instead — just more of it. By using twice the amount of coffee grounds as usual with the same amount of water, you will get a stronger taste with just as much caffeine as espresso.

Step 2: Get foamy

To make foamed milk, place the desired amount of milk in a saucepan and heat it on the stove, but do not let it come to a boil. As the milk warms, whisk it slowly at first and then more rapidly as the milk gets hotter. The foam will end up on top and you can use the rest of the heated milk as a substitute for steamed milk.

Step 3: Chill out

Making your coffee drink frozen — but not watered down from melted ice — is super-simple, but requires a little advance planning. All you have to do is put coffee in ice-cube trays and freeze them. Once frozen, put the frozen coffee cubes in the blender with milk and any other ingredients you want in your beverage.

Try these delicious gourmet coffee recipes!

White chocolate latte

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• White chocolate morsels
• Milk or soy milk
• Half-and-half
• Instant coffee
• Vanilla extract (optional)
• Almond extract (optional)
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon stick

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, heat 2 cups of milk, 1 cup of half-and-half, 2/3 cup of white chocolate morsels, and 2 tablespoons of instant coffee over low heat until chocolate morsels are melted.
2. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. For extra flavor, top with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!

Frozen mocha

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

• Coffee
• Milk or soy milk
• Chocolate syrup
• Sugar or Splenda
• Peppermint extract (optional)

Directions:

1. Freeze 1-1/2 cups of coffee into ice cubes using ice cube trays; let freeze overnight.
2. Place the frozen cubes in the blender with 2 cups of milk, 1/4 cup of chocolate syrup, and 1/4 cup of sugar; blend.
3. To make it a frozen peppermint mocha, simply add a drop of peppermint extract to the mix.

Vanilla latte

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

• Espresso or double-strength coffee
• Milk
• Vanilla (or other flavoring)

Directions:

1. Whisk 1-1/4 cups of milk until it foams. Add vanilla or your favorite flavor and pour over one shot of espresso or one service double-strength coffee (about 1.5 ounces).

More coffee how-tos

How to make the best coffee
Iced coffee cocktails
How to select, store and prepare coffee beans