Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

How to Make 3 Fancy Coffee Drinks at Home

Steven John
By

Now that going to your local coffee shop is for most but a distant memory (though if they are still open, remember to support local and help keep them in business), it’s high time to learn how to do things on your own. At least for now, if you’re crazing a latte, you’re most likely going to have to make it yourself. That’s okay, though, because it is not too hard to do. With a few ingredients and some basic kitchen tools that you already own, you too can be your own barista.

If you’re looking for coffee cocktails, you’ll find those here, but if you want something without an ABV, you’ll find recipes for homemade versions of the following below:

  • Chai tea latte (hot or iced)
  • Caffe vanilla frappuccino
  • Pumpkin spice latte (think of the bonus points you’ll get if you can whip one of these up for the girl that stays over)
Recommended Videos

Now without further ado, the recipes.

Chai Tea Latte (Hot or Iced)

chai latte recipe
Nipanan Lifestyle

Yeah, yeah, yeah, this is a tea drink, not a coffee drink — I get it. But it’s one of the most popular beverages that Starbucks sells, and as it’s really nothing more than spiced black tea with lots of milk, you really should learn to make it at home and not give those fat cats all your fat stacks. Here’s the 4-1-1 on the CTL:

Related

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup milk (2 percent or whole)
  • 2 bags black tea
  • 3.25 tbsp honey
  • .5 tsp cardamom
  • .25 tsp nutmeg
  • .25 tsp ground ginger
  • .25 tsp cloves

Method: Mix 1 cup of water, 1 cup of milk and heat the blend over medium heat until it simmers (you don’t want to go too high and scald the milk). Cut the heat and add honey. Stir to incorporate, then add tea bags. Next, add cardamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Bring the milk, water, honey, tea, and spice blend back to a low simmer and stir for 3 more minutes.

And you’re done! Get the tea bags out, pour and enjoy. Or let it cool a bit, then pour over ice and enjoy. Oh, and consider topping with a bit of cinnamon for looks, too.

Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino

caffe vanilla frappuccino recipe
Thimo van Leeuwen

More milkshake than coffee drink, the Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino is nonetheless delicious, and it does pack a bit of caffeine punch. And calories. Like 500+, FYI, so keep that in mind.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups vanilla ice cream
  • 1 cup ice
  • 2 oz espresso or 3-4 oz black coffee
  • .25 tsp vanilla extract
  • whipped cream (optional)

Method: Combine ice with vanilla ice cream and blend until they’re completely mixed. Pour in espresso (or coffee) and vanilla extract. Blend again for a few seconds.

Yeah, that’s it. It’s ice cream blended with ice and coffee, and a dash of vanilla, because vanilla. Oh, and feel free to top with whipped cream.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

pumpkin spice latte recipe
Heewei Lee

This one is all about the syrup — once you have a batch of that made, you can make a pumpkin spice latte at home in a matter of minutes. So let’s start there.

Pumpkin spice syrup ingredients

  • 2 cups simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water ratio)
  • .5 cup pumpkin puree (canned)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • .5 tsp ground clove
  • .5 tsp ginger

Method: Mix all the stuff and simmer it for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Strain it, cool it, and store it.

Pumpkin spice latte ingredients

  • 6 oz milk
  • 5 oz espresso
  • 2 tbsp pumpkin spice syrup*
  • Whipped cream, optional

Method: Heat and then froth milk (you can use a dedicated frother, a blender, or you can do some serious whisking). Brew five ounces of espresso or five or six ounces of strong coffee. Blend the coffee with two tablespoons of the pumpkin spice syrup*. Pour in milk. Top with whipped cream and another dash of syrup if you’d like. And you’d like, wouldn’t you?

There, the fall “classic,” demystified!

Bonus: Iced Coffee

iced coffee glass
Blake Wisz

Iced coffee is just so refreshing on a warm day or after a hard workout in any season, but how to make yourself the perfect cup? Bear with me…

Ingredients

  • Brewed black coffee
  • Ice

Method: Brew your favorite black coffee. Pour it over a lot of ice.

(OK, flippancy aside, here’s one real tip: Be sure to brew a pot that’s a bit stronger than usual if you’re going to ice it.)

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Steven John
Steven John
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Steven John is a writer and journalist living just outside New York City, by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, by way of…
10 classic summer cocktails everyone should know how to make
Enjoy the rest of your summer with these incredible, classic cocktails
Tatyana Vega/Unsplash

We’re in the middle of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and while temperatures (and amount of sun) are different depending on where you live, there’s a good chance you’re in need of some liquid refreshment. And while a nice glass of wine or frosty beer is sure to hit the spot, we’d rather enjoy something with layers upon layers of fresh, seasonal flavors. We’re talking, of course, about summer cocktails.

And while we have no problem enjoying a white Russian while we stream The Big Lebowski in our backyard, a classic whisky-driven old fashioned on an unseasonably cool evening, or even a hot toddy if we’re feeling a little under the weather, summer is a time for lighter spirits and fresh ingredients. All in all, it’s a time for refreshing cocktails well-suited for sipping on a hazy, humid (sometimes unbearably so), sunny day.

Read more
How to achieve the perfect pour-over coffee to complete your morning routine
Follow this advice to craft a delicious, rich pour-over coffee
pour-over coffee set up

Coffee can be more than just that extra boost to kick-start your day. It could also be a ritual. While drip coffee is a great option in a pinch, if time allows, a pour-over is a divine treat to indulge in. Also known as a hand brew, this method allows you to take control of all the variables of the brewing process to craft it precisely to your taste. Making your cup of coffee this way can be an almost meditative addition to your morning routine. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of coffee or you’re a seasoned professional, read on to learn more about perfecting your pour-over. 

Must-have equipment for pour-over coffee
Any great pour-over will hinge on the equipment you use to achieve it. Here are the must-haves: 
Brewing device 
First and foremost, you should pick out a pour-over brewing device. Several options will all lend nicely to a smooth brewing process. You really can’t go wrong if you have a great brewing method but, if you want to optimize your brew, consider buying a Hario V60 decanter. This plastic brewer doesn’t feature the three holes flat-bottom pour-over brewers have so it offers a faster, more efficient drawdown. 
Digital scale
A digital scale will aid in measuring out precise amounts of coffee grounds and water. This is absolutely critical when making a pour-over. As you shop around for a digital scale, be sure it’s capable of measuring to the .1g. 
Spoon 
This one is not that hard — any old spoon will do. This tool will be helpful at the end of the brewing process. 
Filtered water 
Water will determine a lot when it comes to the taste of your brew. Filtered water will offer the best results. You can either use bottled water or a water filtering device such as a Brita filter. 
Kettle 
Water temperature is key when it comes to crafting a pour-over. Ideally, you should look into getting a goose-neck electric kettle. A normal electric kettle will work too; it will just be more challenging to get a consistent pour. A pouring kettle is not recommended as you may lose valuable temperature as you transfer the hot water from its source. 
Coffee beans 
This is by far the most important factor when making any cup of coffee. Even if you brew your cup to perfection, it will be lackluster if you use low-quality beans. There’s a lot that goes into sourcing coffee beans, your personal taste included. Start by looking into local coffee roasters if you’re still learning your preferences. 
Grinder 
A burr grinder will offer even, uniform grounds. An electric burr grinder will cut down on time but if you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can also use a hand grinder. 
Filters
Purchase paper filters specifically made for pour-over cones. Fast papers will aid in the drawdown process but they are not a requirement. 

Read more
How to make the perfect Paloma drink, a summertime favorite
Want to make the best version of a classic Paloma cocktail? Here's how
Paloma cocktail

Step aside Margarita, the Paloma is the real drink of Mexico. The zesty cocktail is delicious any month of the year but it's especially mouthwatering on a hot day. In a situation such as this, we like to pick the wise brains of cocktail gurus like Alicia Perry and Garret Dostal. Perry used to make incredible drinks at Polite Provisions and now work as a drinks guru at Consortium Holdings. Garrett Dostal is a cocktail consultant and brand ambassador for Hiatus Tequila.

"In terms of the Paloma cocktail, I am really looking for a cocktail that is juicy, acidic, and thirst quenching," Perry says. She adds that there are three major components at play -- the tequila for the Paloma, citrus, and soda. "In the process of creating my perfect Paloma I found that specific Blanco Tequilas were either too dominant, or were not able to stand up to the ingredients of the cocktail," she says. "Fortaleza Blanco allowed for subtle notes of citrus, agave, and vanilla to be well represented in the cocktail."

Read more