Coffee Drink Recipes & Ways to Make Coffee

Coffee is the start of morning. Coffee signals of the end of a meal. The beverage of get togethers, and the companion of dessert. Coffee is a morning ritual.

Ahhhhh......the smell of fresh coffee in the morning. Coffee is for some an obsession or addiction; a part of the culture.

Despite its addictive nature coffee has been shown to have some health benefits. Research shows that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are: less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. Coffee drinkers have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes.

Coffee can be brewed a variety of ways. Here are a few ways to prepare coffee, but with any method you brew be sure to use fresh cold water.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk

• 1 teaspoon of Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

• 1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)

Directions: Combine milk, pumpkin syrup and sugar. Heat until steaming, stir in vanilla and spice, then blend for 15 seconds or froth with a milk frother. Or just whisk with a wire wisk. Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Add the espresso on top.

Optional: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

The Keurig Coffee Maker

The Keurig is the easiest way to make an individual cup of coffee. A 5 year old can do it…There is a dizzying array of coffee choices and roasts from light to dark roast choices, as well as cocoa and tea. Flavor such as Island Coconut, Chocolate Glazed Donut, Pumpkin Spice,Extra bold dark roast,Breakfast Blend...

You just need to find the right roast for you light, medium, dark...

The disposable K-cups you buy for the machine are expensive. About $10 for a package of 18 K-cups. You can find good deals on K-cups by:

• Searching Amazon.com or Ebay
• Use a 20% off Bed Bath & Beyond coupon to buy K-cups.
• A reusable K-cup is available which you can fill with your own ground coffee, but this is of course less convenient than the disposable K-cups.

The Standard Drip Coffee Maker

The way most Americans make their coffee. This produces your typical cup of coffee. Coffee makers can range anywhere from $20.00 to a few hundred. Most drip coffee makers make up to 12 cups of coffee. Good for families, or people who drink multiple cups a day.

The downside is unless you are drinking a whole pot. It will be stale in a few hours, and may go to waste. If you are not going to drink the rest of the pot refrigerate it immediately so it stays fresh for the rest of the day.

Then you can enjoy fresh iced coffee or reheat the cold coffee, so you don’t get that stale taste.

Vanilla Coffee Recipe (Hot or Iced)

• 1/2 cup strong coffee or espresso

• 1/2 cup Steamed frothed milk (Or cold iced milk)

• 1 Tablespoon of Sugar or more to taste

• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Iced Coffee with Ice Coffee Cubes

• Brew regular strength coffee and freeze it in ice cube trays
• Fill glasses with the coffee cubes and pour coffee over them
• Add sugar or cream if desired

Stovetop Coffee Pot

Stovetop Coffee Pot used by most Europeans. This pot makes a strong cup of coffee.

Add water to the bottom compartment, then place the metal coffee filter in place, spoon in the coffee, then screw on the top place on the stove top on high or medium.

Watch carefully...Once the water boils it is forced up through the coffee into the top chamber where it can be poured from. The coffee is done turn off the heat.

This method makes a strong espresso-like cup of coffee.

Amaretto Coffee Recipe

• 1 1/2 oz amaretto liqueur

• 8 oz coffee

• Dollop of whipped cream

Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato(Copycat)

• 1 large glass, half ice filled

• 1 shot espresso or more to taste

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 2 tbsp Torani vanilla syrup

• 1 tbsp caramel sauce to drizzle

The French Press

Pick your favorite coffee. Add the desired amount of ground coffee to the glass beaker based on how many cups you are brewing.

Heat some water on the stove or in the microwave until almost boiling then pour into the beaker over the coffee stir; let brew for a few minutes then use the coffee filter/plunger to slowly push the coffee down to the bottom of the beaker, trapping the coffee grounds on the bottom leaving you free to pour the coffee.

Enjoy your freshly brewed coffee. The French Press produces a full bodied cup with crema on top.