There’s nothing better than warm drinks in cold weather. If you are a coffee lover, the winter season is your time to lounge on the couch with a good book and a cozy drink. Whether you like your coffee cold or piping hot, there’s so many ways that you can turn your everyday cup of plain coffee into something super creative and exciting.
Here’s how to make some exciting coffee drinks that will make you say ooooooh:
1. Snickerdoodle Latte
Pour 1 and 1/2 cups of milk into a small jar that has a lid, add two tablespoons of light brown sugar and 1/4 of a teaspoon cinnamon. Tighten the lid onto the jar and shake for about one minute. Remove the lid and heat the milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Pour half a cup of hot brewed coffee or a shot of espresso into a mug, pour the warm milk into the mug with the coffee. Spoon out any remaining foamy milk if left. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. Serve warm and enjoy!
2. Cinnamon Cappuccino
In a medium pan, bring 3/4 of a cup milk, half a teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4th of a teaspoon cinnamon just to a boil. Remove from the heat and whisk until frothy for about one minute. In a large mug, add half a cup strong, hot coffee and pour in the milk mixture. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy.
3. Classic Mocha
Brew one cup of your favorite coffee (or use instant coffee). Add either four tablespoons of your favorite chocolate bar or two tablespoons of cocoa powder into half a cup milk. Heat for two minutes in a microwave, stirring every thirty second until creamy. Add the coffee into the mug with the chocolate milk, stir, and top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
4. Oatmeal Latte
Place one cup of quick oats (you can use rolled oats – just cook them for an extra 10 minutes) and 1 and 1/2 cups of milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 1/4 of a teaspoon salt and 1/4 of a teaspoon cinnamon. Stir to combine. In the meantime, froth or steam the remaining one cup of milk. Add about 3/4 cup of the steamed, frothed milk to the oats. Cook, stirring often, until the oats are super creamy and milky. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining milk. Stir in three tablespoons of brown sugar. Spoon the oatmeal into two mugs equally. Top each with a shot of espresso or half a cup of brewed coffee. Sip and spoon!
5. White Chocolate Mocha
Combine one cup of strong coffee, half a cup of milk, and 2-3 tablespoons of white chocolate chips in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Whisking constantly, simmer for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in half a teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour into a large mug, and top with whipped cream. Serve immediately.
6. Vanilla Latte
Heat 1 and 1/2 cups of milk in a saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk to create foam. Remove from heat; stir in one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir in one cup of freshly brewed coffee into the milk mixture and serve with whipped cream on top.
7. Caramel Frappuccino
Combine two shots of espresso (or 1/3 of a cup of strong black coffee), 3/4 of a cup cold milk, 2 cups of ice, one tablespoon of sugar, and three tablespoons of caramel sauce (or caramel syrup) into a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream. Decorate with more caramel sauce and enjoy.
8. Barcelona Hot Chocolate
Combine 2/3 cup of boiling water and 1/2 cup of chopped, good-quality dark or bittersweet chocolate in a medium saucepan, stirring until the chocolate melts. Add 1 and 1/3 cups of milk, one cup of freshly brewed strong coffee, two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, three tablespoons of brown sugar, and one two-inch piece of orange rind. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk. Heat for five minutes or until tiny bubbles form around the edge of the pan (do not boil). Discard rind. Pour one cup of the mixture into four mugs. Spoon one tablespoon of whipped topping over each serving. Dust with cocoa powder and enjoy.
9. Spiced Coffee
Combine 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns, 1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, 1/4 teaspoon fresh nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon cardamom seeds, and 1/8 teaspoon clove in a grinder and whirr until the spices are finely ground. Add 1/4 cup of ground coffee beans in the filter basket of your coffee maker along with the spice mixture. Prepare the coffee as usual. Pour into four cups. Enjoy as black or with cream and sugar.
10. Nutella Latte
Take a spoon and spread a thin layer of Nutella onto the rim of a coffee mug. Place two tablespoons of Nutella (the more you use, the more chocolatey it will be) in the bottom of the mug. Pour one or two shots of hot espresso (or strong coffee) over top and whisk until the Nutella melts. Slowly pour in 3/4 cup of steamed milk, then sprinkle cocoa powder on top. Serve immediately.
11. S’mores Iced Coffee
Beat 1/2 cup of whipping cream until soft peaks form. Add one tablespoon of powdered sugar and beat again until stiff peaks form. Fold in a handful marshmallow bits. In a glass, add half a cup of chocolate milk and half a cup of cold brew coffee (or cold brewed coffee). Top with the marshmallow whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed biscuits of your choice. Enjoy!
12. Butter Coffee
13. Gingerbread Latte
Make the gingerbread syrup by combining two cups of water, 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar, two teaspoons of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the syrup uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and cover with a lid. Make 1/2 a cup of very strong coffee. Heat up one cup of milk in a pot, whisking occasionally to steam the milk. Add the strong coffee to a mug. Add 1/4 cup of the gingerbread syrup and mix well. Add the steamed milk and stir. Top with whipped cream and enjoy.
Which one will you be trying?
cover image via: bonappetit.com
