Coffee shops are second homes for many. Nearly everyone has a go-to coffee shop and a go-to drink of choice. The menus at coffee shops have expanded pretty intensely over the years. The best part is that all the most popular coffee shop recipes can easily be executed right at home.
Whether you are missing your favorite coffee shop or looking to budget, you can recreate your favorite coffee shop recipe easily. The most popular coffee recipes require minimal ingredients. We suggest you invest in a simple espresso machine. It will save your life and your time.
Below are some of the best and most popular coffee show recipes. You can thank us later!
The Classics:
Latte
Because it is an all-time favorite, we must disclose how to make the perfect latte. This drink may have an Italian name, but it was actually popularized in Seattle with the city’s coffee culture boom. The greatest part about a latte is that it is very simple to customize, whether it be with different milk types or flavors. It also looks best served in a classic ceramic latte cup. You might convince yourself you had your favorite latte delivered right to your kitchen counter!
What you’ll need:
- 2 shots of espresso
- 1 cup of milk of choice
- Sweetener of choice (optional)
- Flavored syrup of choice (optional)
Method:
- Brew espresso into a cup of choice
- Meanwhile, froth milk until steamy and hot
- If adding flavor or sugar, add it directly into your brewed espresso. Stir well.
- Then, pour milk slowly into your cup
- Enjoy!
Cappuccino
This is the movie star of the coffee shop recipes. Made famous through Italian coffee culture, the cappuccino is have been enjoyed by many Italians for decades. It is a staple of coffee shop menus worldwide. Traditionally speaking, it only comes in one size, around 5-6 oz. It is equal parts of espresso, milk, and foam. Sorry folks if you tend to like a large cappuccino. That’s actually a caffe latte to Italians! Check out the classic way to make a cappuccino just like in Italy.
What you’ll need:
- 1 shot of espresso
- 1/2 cup of milk (1/4 hot milk and 1/4 foam)
- 6 oz cappuccino cup
- A demitasse espresso spoon (optional)
Method:
- Brew espresso directly into your cappuccino cup
- Meanwhile, froth milk. Make sure that there are equal parts of foam to milk. There should be around a couple of inches of foam
- Check milk to see if there are any air bubbles. If so, gently tap your steamer cup on the table.
- Then, gently pour in foamy milk, with a cappuccino cup angled toward your steamer cup.
- Enjoy!
Macchiato
This is probably the most simple of the coffee shop recipes. A lot smaller than a cappuccino, the macchiato contains typically a single shot of espresso with a dollop of milk foam. Today, you will find that most often times coffee shops will brew a double shot of espresso. Nonetheless, it is still a macchiato! Macchiato means ‘marked’ in Italian, which refers to the little mark of milk foam added to the coffee. Make this simple coffee at home today.
What you’ll need:
- 1-2 shots of espresso (varying on your machine and caffeine necessity!)
- 1/4 cup of milk (there will be extra)
Method:
- Brew espresso directly into an espresso cup.
- Meanwhile, froth milk.
- Dollop a couple of tablespoons of milk foam over your espresso.
- Enjoy!
Flavored Favorites:
Iced Mocha
This evolved into a true staple coffee shop recipe. Nearly every coffee shop features a mocha. This drink marries coffee with its partner in crime, chocolate. This mixture, in turn, is called mocha. Combined with some creamy milk, it becomes an irresistible treat. Let’s call it grown-up chocolate milk. As much as it is delicious hot, mochas have gained popularity when made iced. This makes for refreshing drink you can joy on both hot and cold days.
What you’ll need:
- 2 shots of espresso
- 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder
- 1/2 ounce of dark chocolate
- 2 teaspoons of sweetener of choice (we suggest honey or cane sugar)
- 1/2 cup of milk of choice
- 1 cup of ice
Method:
- Brew espresso
- Immediately after espresso brews, add in cocoa powder and dark chocolate. Mix to remove all lumps. Then, add sweetener. Continue to mix until smooth and creamy.
- Fill cup with ice. Pour in your mocha mixture. Then, add in your milk. Stir well to combine.
- Enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Despite its sometimes annoying popularity, we cannot deny how yummy a pumpkin spice latte is. It combines all the sentiments of Fall into one single beverage. What you didn’t know is how simple it is to make pumpkin spice syrup at home. Not only can you recreate your favorite seasonal beverage, but you can also enjoy it all year round. We know cravings can get real. So, here is the ultimate pumpkin spice latte recipe that is maybe better than your local coffee shops!
What you’ll need:
For the Pumpkin Spice Syrup:
- 1 cup of water
- 3/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1/3 cup of pumpkin puree
- 2.5 teaspoons of pumpkin spice
- If you do not have pumpkin spice, you can make your own:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or a bit more if you prefer cinnamon flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Mesh strainer or cheesecloth
For the Latte:
- 2 shots of espresso
- 1 cup of milk of choice (any will work, as long as it is unsweetened!)
- 2 tablespoons of pumpkin spice syrup
- Cinnamon and/or nutmeg for garnish
Method:
- First, prepare your pumpkin spice syrup. This syrup will keep in the refrigerator for a week to 10 days.
- Place all ingredients into a small saucepan. Mix together slowly over low-medium heat.
- Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. it will begin to resemble syrup.
- Remove from heat and let cool for a couple of minutes.
- Assemble a strainer or cheesecloth over a sealable jar. Strain syrup carefully.
- Put aside a couple of tablespoons for your latte. Store the rest of the syrup in the refrigerator
- For your latte, first, brew espresso into a cup of choice.
- Froth your milk until you reach your desired amount of foam.
- Mix in pumpkin spice syrup into espresso. Then, pour milk into your cup.
- Garnish with cinnamon and/or nutmeg
Coffee-less Drinks:
Matcha Latte
This is maybe one of the most raved about coffee shop drinks. Matcha is essentially powdered green tea. It is a delicious caffeine alternative that also is really visually pleasing. Its brilliant green color makes for a funky looking beverage. Nonetheless, it is most often used to make lattes. Subbing espresso for this green goodness tastes great either iced or hot. It also gives you a pretty decent serving of caffeine. It varies on the size of your matcha, but it will typically be around 68 mg, which is about 3/4th the caffeine of your average cup of black coffee.
What you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 teaspoon of matcha powder
- 1 cup of milk of choice
- A tablespoon of water
- 2-3 teaspoons of cane sugar or honey
Method:
- Place water and matcha in your cup. Stir until no lumps remain. Then, add in your sweetener of choice.
- Froth your milk. Pour it gently into your matcha mixture. If you would like this iced, simply add ice to the matcha mixture and then add in cold milk.
- Enjoy!
Chai Latte
This is one of the most aromatic coffee shop recipes out there. The chai latte was an innovation on the preexisting chai, a traditional tea from India. Therefore, there is no need to call it a ‘chai tea’ latte, as saying tea is actually redundant! This dynamite blend of spices is known to provide excellent health benefits. Above all, they also lend a gentle jolt of caffeine along with some super soothing aromas. Most coffee shops use a chai tea concentrate, which is very easy to prepare at home. Try this drink today with any sort of milk you enjoy. This recipe also works for a wonderful iced latte as well.
What you’ll need:
Chai Tea Concentrate:
- 5-6 chai tea bags
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar or maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise
- 10 whole cloves
- 5 cardamom pods
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups of filtered water
- Fine mesh strainer
Latte:
- 1/2 cup of milk of choice (we suggest whole or oat)
- 1/2 cup of chai concentrate
- Ground cinnamon and/or nutmeg for garnish
Method:
- To make chai concentrate, add filtered water to a saucepan.
- Crush cardamom pods. Add them along with all the spices (except the tea bags and vanilla) to the water. Whisk gently as you bring to a boil. Then, cover and remove from heat for 5 minutes.
- Add in sugar and mix well. Then, add in tea bags. Bring everything back to a boil, making sure the sugar dissolves. Then, let simmer for 5 minutes. Make sure the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Assemble your mesh strainer over your container of choice. Strain out tea and spices to reveal your delicious chai concentrate.
- To make the latte, add 1/2 cup of chai concentrate to your cup. Then, froth milk of choice.
- Garnish with cinnamon and/or nutmeg.
