Become Your Own Barista: Spice Up Your Daily Coffee Routine With 5 Simple Recipes

As coffee shops have been closing due to the quarantine restrictions, I have been craving specialty barista beverages. Disappointed with my kitchen appliances' ability to only make black coffee, espresso, and plain tea, I took it upon myself to expand my beverage horizons. I experimented in the kitchen and discovered new recipes that will become prominent in my drink repertoire. Following these five simple recipes will help you spice up your daily coffee routine and become your own barista.

When I go to coffee shops, chai tea lattes are my go-to. This creamy beverage with a kick is anything but boring.

(Dirty) Chai Tea Latte

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:15 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 2 chai tea bags
• 1/2 cup water
• 1.5 cup milk or preferred milk substitute
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Cinnamon and nutmeg for garnish
• Coffee or espresso to taste—optional

• Step 1

  In a small saucepan, bring water to a light boil. Add in chai tea bags and seep until saturated.

  

• Step 2

  If you do not have chai tea bags, place 2 black tea bags (I used English breakfast), 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice in the coffee filter of a drip coffeemaker. Add water and brew. Pour into a pan and bring to a light boil. If you do not have allspice, replace with another 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon cloves, and 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg.

  

• Step 3

  Remove the tea bags. Add the milk and honey to the saucepan, reducing the heat to medium. Mix and transfer to a cup or mug.

  

• Step 4

  To make it dirty, add in hot coffee. To make an iced dirty (my personal favorite), add in iced coffee and ice cubes, or, the best of both worlds, coffee ice cubes.

  

• Step 5

  Serve topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg. Enjoy.

  

The next recipe, which I had never heard of before, came to my attention through my beverage research. The Mexican Mocha quickly became my favorite coffee recipe that I made, perfect for those who crave sweetness and spiciness.

Mexican Mocha

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:15 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• Two shots espresso or 6 ounces strong coffee
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 to 1.5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/16 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1/8 teaspoon if you like it extra spicy
• 1 cup milk or preferred milk substitute

• Step 1

  In a small bowl, mix the dry ingredients together.

  

• Step 2

  Pour the hot espresso or coffee in a large mug and stir in the cocoa mix until smooth.

  

• Step 3

  Add milk to taste. Serve and enjoy.

  

The next recipe is nothing if not rich. Tasting more like a dessert than a coffee beverage, the Toffee Coffee definitely will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Toffee Coffee

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:10 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 espresso shot or 3 ounces strong coffee
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 cup water

• Step 1

  Pour the hot espresso or coffee in a large mug and stir in the cocoa powder.

  

• Step 2

  Melt the coconut oil and butter for about 40 seconds in the microwave.

  

• Step 3

  Pour all of the components into a blender and blend.

  

• Step 4

  Pour into a mug, serve, and enjoy.

  

Being home from New Orleans made me really miss the blended coffees of the south and the famous Hillel coffee smoothie, so I took some of my favorite flavors and concocted my own version of the frozen beverage.

Coffee Smoothie

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:10 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup coffee
• 2 ounces milk or preferred milk substitute
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter or other nut butter
• 4-5 handfuls ice

• Step 1

  Place all ingredients in a blender.

  

• Step 2

  Blend all ingredients. Serve and enjoy.

  

The iced green tea latte is perfect for when you want to elevate your basic cup of tea. Turning your tea into latte form will definitely make it lighter, sweeter, and creamier.

Iced Green Tea Latte

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:10 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 2 green tea bags
• 1 cup milk or preferred milk substitute
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1.5 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• A pinch ground ginger

• Step 1

  Add the tea bags into your mug and then top it with boiling water.

  

• Step 2

  Remove the tea bags from the mug and pour the tea into a blender. Add in the rest of the ingredients and blend.

  

• Step 3

  Serve over ice and enjoy.

  

So if you're bored at home looking for your next quarantine activity or finding yourself tired with your daily coffee routine, it only takes 15 minutes to make a delicious coffee beverage from the comfort of your home. There is no better time to become your own barista!