Did you know that the average Canadian enjoys more than three cups of coffee a day? Adults in our country drink more coffee than any other beverage, including water!
If you’re sick of the usual or want to save money by making coffee at home, try these five recipes. You probably have all the ingredients on-hand, and none of them use a fancy machine or expensive syrups, making it easy to change up your java routine!
Cafe Latte (Without A Machine!)
You don’t have to spend big bucks on an espresso machine to enjoy a latte. The drink becomes more like what the French call a cafe au lait, but the simplicity makes it great for those who want to expand their coffee horizons. It’s also a great blank canvas for any flavourings and toppings you might prefer!
What You Need:
6 ounces of strongly-brewed coffee
1/2 cup of milk (your choice)
While you’re brewing your coffee, heat half a cup of milk for 30-45 seconds in a microwave-safe coffee mug, or pour it into a saucepan and heat it on the stovetop. Place the thermometer in the milk to monitor the temperature or have it handy to check the temperature. Heat the milk on medium to medium-low until it reaches 65-70 degrees Celsius.
Once the milk has reached the ideal temperature, take a whisk and rapidly whisk it back and forth for 15-30 seconds it’s frothy. Pour the coffee into a mug and gently pour your frothed milk on top. Add any sweetener you want, or sprinkle your favourite toppings.
Iced Coffee
While the winter rages outside, you can enjoy the jolt of your coffee with a delicious but not too sweet iced drink. It’s the perfect treat for any season!
What You Need:
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup of water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup coffee, at room temperature
2 tablespoons half and half cream (or to taste)
Mix sugar and one cup water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. This makes a simple syrup; let it cool, then stir in the half teaspoon of vanilla extract. Place the syrup in your refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Brew coffee and let it reach room temperature, then pour over ice with simple syrup and cream.
Cuban Coffee
Let’s travel a bit for our last three recipes – cultures all over the world have found unique ways to make and serve coffee! One favourite is the Cuban coffee, and what makes this drink “Cuban” is an ingredient called espuma (Spanish for “foam”). It creates an incredibly decadent taste, and it’s so easy to make at home!
What You Need:
1/4 to 1/2 cup finely-ground coffee
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup white granulated sugar
Brew fine-ground coffee according to the instructions on the package. Pour your sugar in a measuring cup (with at least two-cup capacity), adding one tablespoon of coffee concentrate at the first stage of your brewing. Place the pot back on the stove to finish brewing.
Make the espuma by combining the sugar and concentrate and vigorously whisking it until it’s a brown, foamy paste (get prepared – it takes about 2 to 3 minutes). When the coffee has finished brewing, pour it over the espuma while stirring to incorporate. Let the foamy crema rise to the top and serve in espresso cups!
Turkish Coffee
Continuing our trip around the world, we land in Turkey. Fair warning: the longer brew time and lack of filter give this drink a strong flavour!
What You Need:
1 cup water (cold)
1 tablespoon extra finely ground coffee (powder consistency)
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom (or 1 cardamom pod, crushed)
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, and you can use more to your taste)
Bring water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan (Turkish coffee makers use something called an ibrik). Remove from the heat and add the ground coffee and cardamom, then place the saucepan back on the heat source and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Remove from heat when coffee foams. Return to the heat, allowing your coffee to foam up, then remove from the heat again. Pour into two small mugs or demitasse cups, and let them sit for a few minutes so the grounds can settle to the bottom of the cups.
Canadian Coffee
Let’s bring it back home with the perfect recipe for a weekend in Manitoulin. We’re not talking about the Double Double – this one adds a little extra kick with maple syrup and whiskey.
What You Need
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (preferably locally-sourced!)
1⁄4 cup maple syrup (for in the coffee)
1⁄2 cup whiskey
Angostura Bitters
3 cups hot black coffee
Whip the cream with maple syrup until it forms soft mounds – a stand mixer makes this much easier. In your mugs, add whisky, maple syrup and a dash of bitters to the mug, then pour in the coffee. Top with a dollop of your whipped cream and serve!