Coffee and I go waaaaaaaay back, y’all. For as long as I can remember both of my parents have enjoyed it throughout the day, although they drank it black which I just couldn’t stomach. It’s kind of hilarious now that I love it black and can’t stomach all the sweetness anymore! Nonetheless, I had no interest in drinking it at home because despite the amazing aroma, coffee just didn’t appeal to me the way I saw my parents drink it.
Fast forward to college and I, like most of my fellow students, was burning the candle at both ends of the stick. Working practically full-time, heavy class loads, working out and a social life always left me hurrying to meet deadlines, and so coffee became my way to push through the fatigue and just get stuff done. Most days I would fill a mug as big as a mixing bowl with brewed Folgers coffee, then dump a bunch of sugar-free non-fat hazelnut creamer in til it was practically white. I would sip this on the way to class, downing the last few drops as I pulled into my parking spot and took off for the bus.
On special occasions I would stop at my local Starbucks and get a grande coffee, add some Splenda and non-fat milk, and relish the aroma and flavor. Little did I know at the time that they would successfully recruit me as a manager and those memories of my first sips of non-flavored coffee would become very sweet memories!
These days I drink my coffee black, occasionally tinted with a little heavy cream, and wonder how on earth I consumed the sweetest of coffeehouse drinks so consistently for so long. Mind you I’m not judging – my tastes have simply changed. I do still enjoy a great latte or mocha from time to time, and I can get behind anything in shake form. That being said, in honor of January and getting stuff done, here are 15 ways that you can rock that coffeehouse flavor from your very own kitchen. Enjoy!
Knock-off Starbucks Chai Tea Latte
Homemade White Chocolate MochaHomemade Chai-Spiced Coffee
The Best Bullet Proof Coffee
Whole30-Compliant Coconut Latte
Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Pumpkin Spice Lattes
Vanilla Bean Steamer
Gingerbread Latte
Coffee Coconut Shakes
Cold Brew Coffee Soda Floats
Iced Eggnog Lattes
The Easiest Creamy Iced Coffee Cubes
Homemade Almond Coffee Creamer
Double Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Shake
I make coffee at home in the morning and afternoon, and occasionally have my afternoon coffee at a shop if I’m in town and lots when I’m traveling. Last year, I started making my own cold brew and iced coffee and loving it! Not quite as good as what I can get at a coffee shop, but it’s fun to experiment (and taste) variations.