Amazing Coffee Drinks to Make at Home

Coffee drinks at home can be just as good as those from your favorite coffee shop. Maybe even better! Let’s look at different types of coffee drinks you can make yourself.

Mastering the Home Latte

"Latte" sounds kind of fancy, and so some may be intimidated trying to make them at home. But a latte is just coffee and milk—well, technically espresso with steamed milk and milk foam. But you don't need an espresso machine to make one. And while dark-roast espresso beans work best, you can also use regular coffee as well.

First, brew strong java. Next, froth some milk—shaking it in a jar is a good method—and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Slowly pour the hot milk into your cup and spoon the milk foam on top. That's it!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

When autumn rolls around each year hordes of coffee lovers converge on Starbuck to get their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Lattes. But you don't have to be limited by the season or your location. Pumpkin syrup will get you there at home! To make the syrup you'll need a can of pumpkin puree, simple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Mix them together. Then just add your syrup to a latte and no more waiting for fall to come around for a pumpkin treat!

Espresso Without An Espresso Machine

Those gleaming stainless steel machines that gurgle and hiss out espressos at coffee shops usually cost thousands of dollars. Home versions aren't cheap either, though you can pick up a good consumer-grade espresso machine for under $500.

Something much cheaper? Retailing for about $30, an AeroPress is easily the most affordable alternative to an espresso machine. With fine-ground coffee and a small amount of water, this handy little coffee press will give you a brew that's much stronger than drip or French press coffee, about as close to espresso as you can get without a machine.

Picking up a Moka Pot is probably your next best option. This tiny coffee maker is truly a wonder! It works with steam power, pushing boiling water through ground coffee to brew an intense little shot of java. Like the AeroPress brew, it's not as strong as espresso from an espresso machine, but it comes pretty darn close.

Frozen Caramel Latte

This frothy drink is a favorite on hot summer days! All you need to do is brew up a few ounces of strong espresso. Then combine the brew with caramel sauce and sugar in a blender and blend. Add milk and ice into the mix and blend some more until you get a nice smooth consistency. Pour the ice-cold treat into a glass and top it with whipped cream.

Frappuccino in Your Kitchen

A frappuccino is another coffee drink that sounds more intimidating than it really is. And as it's a trademark of Starbucks, technically that's the only place you can get an official frappuccino. But would you believe you can make one just as good (maybe even better) in a few minutes at home? You sure can! It's basically just a milkshake with a shot of cappuccino.

Just crank up your blender with crushed ice, espresso, milk, and sugar. You can use soy or almond milk to go healthier, or half-and-half to go creamier. Pour your blend into a tall glass, top it off with whipped cream and chocolate syrup and you may enjoy the results even more than the Starbucks version.

White Chocolate Mocha

Another home take on a Starbucks staple, a White Chocolate Mocha can be enjoyed in the comfort of your kitchen with little effort. Just add coffee, milk, and a handful of white chocolate chips into a saucepan. Simmer while whisking for a few minutes. Remove from the heat, swirl in some vanilla extract, pour into a mug, and top it off with some whipped cream.

Caramel Macchiato

The Starbucks Caramel Macchiato uses high fructose corn syrup for flavor, so you can almost certainly make a healthier version at home. Start with a generous dollop of caramel sauce at the bottom of a mug. Pour in hot espresso or strong coffee and stir. Then stir in some milk and vanilla syrup, finishing off the drink with whipped cream.

Iced Mocha

From Starbucks to McDonald's, iced mochas are served just about everywhere. So why not in your kitchen too? First, brew some coffee, and strong espresso-style joe works the best. Separately make a mix of chocolate milk and Nesquik powder. Combine the coffee and chocolate mix together, shake until well-blended, and then pour over ice. And, sure, as with the other drinks, add some whipped cream to treat yourself.

It’s simpler than you think to make an at-home Starbucks drink! So why go out when you can easily have all of these amazing coffee drinks at home?

Written by William McCleary for Knockaround.