Who doesn’t love a good cuppa Joe, especially when the weather starts to turn cold? Now is the perfect time of year to experiment with your cups of coffee — whether you prefer something simple, decadent, or with a touch of alcohol!
Bear in mind that the quality of your homemade coffee concoctions relies heavily on the type of coffee bean you choose and the coffee brewing method.
If you’re a beginner or well-seasoned coffee drinker, here are the best coffee bean drinks you can whip up in the comfort of your own home this winter!
4 of the Best Coffee Bean Picks for Your Homemade Brew
As mentioned, the type of coffee beans you go for makes a big difference in how much you enjoy your coffee, or not.
If you plan to experiment with these best coffee brews at home during the holidays, these beans are worth investing in. You don’t even need to leave the house for a great Starbucks imitation these days — you can even learn how to create your own DIY Starbucks cup here!
Here are the top picks:
1. LifeBoost Coffee
This is one of the best low-acid coffee beans on the market today. Perfect for those with sensitive stomachs or those who want to protect their teeth. LifeBoost coffee beans originates from Nicaragua, and they are organic, handpicked, and free from mycotoxin, too.
Go for the medium roast beans which offer a beautiful, chocolatey richness, with a hint of dark caramel and berry fruits.
2. Atlas Coffee Beans
Atlas Coffee is a subscription company that sells a range of single-origin coffee beans from all over the globe. You can take your pick when it comes to light, medium, dark roast coffee beans.
Atlas Coffee sells some of the highest quality, freshest, and purest coffee beans that are ethically sourced, too. This is a brilliant option for beginner coffee drinkers as you have a huge selection of easy-drinking coffee to choose from.
3. Kona Coffee Beans (Koa Coffee)
This is a single-origin coffee bean that comes directly from the tropical paradise of Hawaii. Koa Coffee specializes in the Kona coffee bean which is harvested in the Kona district of Hawaii. These beans offer a full-body roast and deep, rich, flavor.
These beans are ethically grown and sourced from the dark, mineral-rich soils of this majestic island. Go for the medium to dark roast beans for well-seasoned coffee drinkers.
4. Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
If you are quite picky about your coffee beans, then Jamaica Blue is for you. These coffee beans have been dubbed as the ”Rolls Royce” of coffee quality across the globe. It is some of the most high-quality coffee you can buy today.
Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is made in limited quantities due to local government restrictions, so be prepared to pay a little extra for these magical beans.
7 of the Best Coffee Bean Drinks You Can Make Yourself
In order to make these delicious drinks you’re going to need a few important tools. First, you’ll need a decent quality coffee maker/machine, or coffee grinder and plunger. You’ll also need a milk frother and few pantry staples.
Here are a few simple recipes worth trying out these holidays:
1. A Classic French Café au Lait
If you’re ever in Paris and head to a bistro-style cafe, this is a drink you just have to try. Luckily, you don’t have to travel to Paris to sample this classically French coffee drink.
It’s a simple recipe of equal parts of good quality brewed coffee and steamed milk. This drink is often confused with a cappuccino, but the café au lait has more milk in it. Enjoy with a side of fresh and flaky croissants!
2. A Refreshing Cold Brew Coffee
If you’ve always wanted to try cold brew coffee, the good news is that you can make your own at home. It’s as simple as steeping your good quality coffee beans in cold water overnight. The steeping helps to strip the beans of acidity, which delivers a far smoother, rich-tasting brew the next day.
This type of coffee is best served cold, over ice. Pour your brewed coffee into a tall glass, add a dash of milk, and a shot sweetener of your choice.
3. An Oh-So Italian Affogato
This is a beautiful Italian-inspired indulgence and seems more like a dessert than a simple coffee drink. All you need for this delicious recipe is a shot of freshly-brewed espresso and a couple of scoops of vanilla bean ice-cream.
A top tip is to remember is to freeze your serving glasses before making your affogato. This prevents the ice-cream from melting too quickly when you pour the coffee over it.
4. A Starbucks Inspired Pumpkin Spice Latte
Yes, you can create your own at home and it’s super simple to boot! Let’s be honest, fall and winter would not be the same without this deliciously classic coffee drink.
For this recipe, you only need a few basic ingredients that are probably sitting in your pantry. This includes half a cup of brewed espresso, milk, and pumpkin puree (it can be tinned). You’ll also need a few spices to bring it all together such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, cloves, and vanilla essence. Finally, don’t forget your whipped cream for the topping!
5. A Fully Decadent White Chocolate Mocha
You can also save yourself the Starbucks run and a few extra dollars by making this coffee drink at home. The name may sound complicated, but it’s quite simple to make.
All you need is a half cup of freshly brewed coffee, whole milk, white chocolate chips, and a teaspoon of sugar. To garnish, you can top it all off with some whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon! Starbucks, who?
6. A Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Dá)
One thing the Vietnamese are renowned for is their incredible cuisine and unique coffee. You need a few simple ingredients in order to recreate a traditional Vietnamese brew.
This includes ground coffee (about four tablespoons) and two and a half cups of water. Or, a cup of strongly brewed coffee and a cup of water. You’ll also need a fair amount of sweetened condensed milk and a handful of ice.
7. A Coffee Cocktail: Café Brasileiro
Unlike other coffee cocktails, you don’t need a shot of coffee liquor for this one — you need the real thing! This is recipe is also fairly simple but does require some specialty ingredients.
This includes cachaça, chocolate liqueur, and a couple of scoops of vanilla cream. Combine with freshly brewed coffee to create a divine coffee cocktail at home.
Learn How to Be Happy at Home During the Holidays
If you’re bound by a tight budget this holiday season, you’re not alone. This selection of the best coffee bean drinks you can make at home is a testament to how you don’t need to spend money to treat yourself!
If you’re looking for more money-saving tips, lifestyle, and happiness hacks while staying home for the holidays, check out the rest of this site for more.