jessie bayer

Fun Coffee Recipes for the Holidays! [Bonus Guest Post]

Special thanks to Blogger Jennifer Birch for writing this piece just for our Ethos family!

Ah, coffee — the ideal way to start your day and the best drink to pair with dessert. With coffee shops everywhere you look, it’s easy to get your hands on a cup of joe. But what if we told you that you could make a coffee shop-standard brew from the comfort of your own home? That’s right. You don’t need to head out to get some quality caffeine. You can do it by yourself!

Don’t believe us? Think about it: All you need are some quality ingredients and the right kitchen appliances. It’s no wonder entrepreneurs have found success in starting and running a café! The margins are impressive, as people go to coffee shops to pay $3.50 to $4.50 for a cup of coffee that only costs around $1 to make. Factor in the fact that some 83% of Americans enjoy a cup of coffee regularly, and you’ve got yourself a nice business model. Pretty awesome, right? Remember to give us a shoutout once you’ve built your coffee empire. Until then, here are four fun coffee recipes for you to make at home:

1. Cold Brew Coffee | Iced Coffee

No special equipment needed for this coffee recipe. Cold brew coffee is made by steeping around two ounces of ground coffee beans in cold water for a long period of time (~20 hrs). It yields a rich taste that isn’t at all bitter. We recommend leaving it in the fridge overnight, then serving it the next day with milk and honey.

But if you’re looking for a quick coffee fix, we’d recommend some good old iced coffee. It uses the same amount of coffee beans. Just dump it into your coffee press with some hot water. After a couple of minutes, push down the plunger, then serve over ice.

2. White Chocolate Mocha

Got some leftover white chocolate in the fridge? Why not repurpose it into a decadent white chocolate mocha? Pour some milk into a pot, throw in around three tablespoons of white chocolate, then whisk. Once the mixture is smooth, pour it into a cup of coffee and stir. To make it look fancy, top it with some whipped cream and a little nutmeg!

3. Gingerbread Spice Coffee

Craving coffee with a hint of spice? Try a cup of gingerbread spice coffee! Mix a spoonful of molasses with a half teaspoon of brown sugar, baking soda, ground ginger, and cinnamon in a bowl. Once it’s all blended, cover and leave in the fridge for around ten minutes. After it’s chilled, you can prepare your coffee as usual and stir in a teaspoon of the spice mixture. We recommend having this with some milk and whipped cream. You can even make your own gingerbread cookies to go with it! They pair really well with any cup of coffee.

4. Banana Coffee Smoothie

This last recipe is a little bit different. It’s a great way to kick start your day, but also a delicious way to end your meal. To make a banana coffee smoothie, drop two frozen bananas, some sugar, a cup of vanilla ice cream, and a cup of strong coffee into your food processor. Blend the mixture until smooth, then serve in a tall glass. It’s a healthy smoothie with a kick of caffeine!

Four delicious coffee recipes, and each one can be made in your kitchen! Ready to try them out? With so many choices, you’re sure to find the perfect cup of coffee for you. Happy brewing!