MAKE GOURMET COFFEE - COFFEE DRINKS

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Toasty Coffees for Fall

Perhaps one of the best things about cool weather is setting down with a hot cup of coffee – especially if your java is one of these sweet flavors.  There is no reason to pay insane prices for flavored coffees..when these are so easy, enjoy, my little foodies!!

Now I don't drink coffee and Doug doesn't drink coffee...but if we did we would, we would drink these...

Cinnamon
Coffee and cinnamon go together like apples and cider, because the spicy sweetness of cinnamon expertly complement the bitter, nutty flavors of java. For those of you who want just a hint of cinnamon in your cuppa joe, store your beans or grounds with a couple of cinnamon sticks until the spicy flavor has a chance to permeate. Want a more intense brew? Mix powdered cinnamon with your coffee and let the combo sit for a day or two before trying it out.

Maple
Ah, yes – maple. There’s nothing quite like the flavor of everyone’s favorite sap-derived product. If you don’t mind a little sweetness in your coffee, you can simply add some pure maple syrup or maple sugar to your brew. Those of you who like to embrace the bitterness of your joe can instead mix a couple of teaspoons of maple extract to your whole beans before grinding and brewing.

Pumpkin Spice
Sure, you can head to your local grocery store or chain coffee shop and buy a bag of pumpkin spice flavored beans, or you can just make it on your own. To make the perfect cup of coffee to go with your pumpkin pie this fall, just add 1 teaspoon (tsp.) of ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. ground ginger, 1/2 tsp. allspice, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to your whole beans. For the best flavor, store the mixture for a day or two before trying it out.

Almond
Dunno about you, but we’re feeling like hazelnut coffee is getting a little played out, while almond is underrated. To make your own almond flavored coffee, you can grind some toasted nuts to a fine powder and add them to your beans or grounds. One caveat: This may end up clogging the filter, depending on what type you’re using, so keep an eye on it. You may also simply add a teaspoon of almond extract to your beans.

Caramel
The caramel flavored beans and syrups that abound on store shelves right now tend to leave something to be desired. Namely – true caramel flavor, that bittersweet taste of perfectly toasted sugar. Not to worry, however, because making caramel is super simple: Just heat sugar and water until it turns into a nice golden brown. You can either add the warm syrup to your joe, or, if it hardens, break it up into pieces and let the candies melt in your cup.

Coffee Recipes

Below is our collection of gourmet coffee recipes. Some are basic, some exotic, some hot and some cold. Some of our coffee recipes have been also published in books.

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Iced Coffee

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Mocha Cinnamon Shake

1 cup brewed gourmet coffee at room temperature
1 cup chocolate ice cream
1 cup milk
1 cup crushed ice
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine the gourmet coffee, ice cream, milk and crushed ice in a blender. Blend it until it is all combined and serve. Pour into two mugs and add cinnamon sticks. Makes 2 servings

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Mexican Coffee

1 ½ cups double strength hot gourmet coffee (use 4 tablespoons coffee to 12 oz. of water)
¾ teaspoons cinnamon
4 teaspoons chocolate syrup
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup heavy cream
1 table spoon sugar

Combine cream, nutmeg, sugar and cinnamon then whip. Using four demitasse cups, put 1 teaspoon of chocolate syrup in each. Stir the remaining ½ teaspoon of cinnamon into the the hot gourmet coffee. Pour the coffee in the cups and stir. Top with spiced whipped cream. Makes 4 servings.

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Café au Lait or Café con Leche

1 cup strong dark roast gourmet coffee or espresso
1 cup hot milk

No, Starbucks was not the first to serve a Lait in the U.S. in the 1980’s. Cubans have been serving “café con leche” for decades down in Miami. Anyway, this traditional Spanish and French drink is prepared by simultaneously pouring equal amounts of hot, strong dark roast gourmet coffee and hot milk into a large cup. The milk can either be heated in the microwave or stovetop. The heated milk adds a special sweetness to this delicious drink. The Cuban version is actually prepared with a cup of hot milk and a shot of Cuban coffee poured into it. Sugar is a must to fully appreciate this drink. Makes 2 servings.

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Coffee Breakfast Drink

1 tablespoon instant espresso or instant coffee
2 cups of milk
2 tablespoons of protein powder
1 teaspoon of honey
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the milk, instant espresso or coffee, protein powder, vanilla and honey in an electric blender until uniform. Serve in tall glasses. Makes 2 servings.

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Espresso

Authentic espresso needs to be brewed in an espresso machine which forces steam and boiling water through finely ground Italian roast coffee. The professional machines found in fine restaurants use a complicated system of steam pipes and springs which produces a brew that is hard to replicate with home kitchen espresso machines.

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Cappuccino

Cappuccino is espresso served with steamed frothy milk. Like espresso this is best enjoyed with a professional machine which are expensive. On the home machines most espresso makers have a milk steaming attachment to froth up and heat the milk. Combine equal amounts of Italian espresso and hot milk. Top with cinnamon or nutmeg.

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Cuban Coffee

This rocket fuel will light you up with just one little shot thanks to the large amount of sugar and caffeine. Like espresso, this is best made with a professional machine which is essentially an espresso maker. Best used with a Cuban coffee brand (Pilon or Bustelo). The secret to great Cuban coffee is to pour a little coffee into a cup and whip it with a spoon using one teaspoon of sugar for each serving which forms a caramel paste. Then pour the remaining espresso from the machine into the paste. Serve into a small demitasse cups.

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Coffee Frappe

1 tablespoon instant espresso
3-5 ice cubes
½ cup of cold water
¼ cup of milk
3 teaspoons maple syrup

Combine in an electric blender the cold water and instant espresso at a high speed until a frothy consistency is achieved. Pour into a glass with ice cubes then stir in the maple syrup to your taste. Makes 1 serving.

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Thai Iced Coffee

1/3 cup whole gourmet coffee beans, dark roast or ¼ cup ground dark roast gourmet coffee
2 cups of water
3 cardamom pods (this adds the unique Thai flavor)
1 tablespoon of sugar or maple syrup
Ice cubes
¼ cup of half-and-half or evaporated milk

In your coffee bean grinder, grind the cardamom pods with coffee beans or if you are using ground coffee just mix them together. Now brew this mixture with 2 cups of water. Add sugar or maple syrup and let it cool. Pour this into two glasses filled to the top with ice. Add half-and-half or evaporated milk. Makes 2 servings.

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Jamaican Coffee

1 cup of hot gourmet coffee
¼ shot of Tia Maria
¼ shot of Myers Rum
¼ shot of Dark Creme de Cacao
Combine your hot gourmet coffee, Tia Maria, Myers Rum, and Dark Creme de Cacao. Mix together the top with whipped cream. Makes 1 serving.

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Irish Coffee

1 cup of hot gourmet coffee
1 shot of Irish Whiskey
Mix your Irish Whiskey and hot gourmet Coffee. Top with whipped cream. Makes 1 serving.

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Eggnog Coffee

1 cup hot gourmet coffee
1 ounce eggnog
½ tablespoon grated nutmeg
Mix your hot gourmet coffee with your eggnog. Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Makes 1 serving.

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Calypso Island Coffee

1 cup of hot Gourmet Coffee
½ shot of Frangelico Liqueur
½ shot of Malibu Rum

Combine your Frangelico, gourmet coffee and Malibu Rum. Add chocolate then top with whipped cream. Makes 1 serving.

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Keoke Coffee

½ shot of Kahlua
1 cup of hot gourmet coffee
½ shot of Courvoisier
½ shot of Dark Cream de Cacao

Combine your Kahlua coffee liqueur, gourmet coffee, Dark Cream de Cacao, and Courvoisier. Top with whipped cream and serve. Makes 1 serving.

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Bailey's Irish Coffee

1 cup hot gourmet coffee
1 shot of Bailey's Irish Cream
Combine your gourmet coffee and Bailey's Irish Cream. Top with whipped cream and serve. Makes 1 serving.