30 Coffee and Tea Drinks to Brew at Home | Easy Cafe Recipes

Coffee Brewing Essentials

• Coffee grinder (fresh grounds make all the difference!)
• French press, pour-over, or drip coffee maker
• Espresso machine or Moka pot (for espresso-based drinks)
• Milk frother or small whisk
• Coffee filters (if using pour-over or drip methods)
• Measuring spoons and cups

Tea Brewing Essentials

• Tea infuser or strainer
• Electric kettle or stovetop kettle
• Teapot (optional but nice to have)
• Measuring spoons
• Thermometer (helpful for green and white teas)
• Glass jars (for cold brew tea)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso (or strong coffee)
• 2 oz steamed milk
• 2 oz milk foam
• Cinnamon or cocoa powder for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brew your espresso and pour into a warm cup
2. Heat milk in a small saucepan until hot but not boiling
3. Froth milk using a frother or whisk until foamy
4. Pour the steamed milk over the espresso, holding back the foam
5. Spoon the foam on top and dust with cinnamon if desired

Prep time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 6 oz steamed milk
• Thin layer of milk foam
• Flavored syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brew your espresso and pour into a large mug
2. Add flavored syrup if using (vanilla, caramel, etc.)
3. Steam milk until hot and has a small amount of foam
4. Pour the milk slowly into the espresso, finishing with a thin layer of foam

Prep time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 1-2 tbsp chocolate syrup or cocoa powder mixed with hot water
• 6 oz steamed milk
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brew your espresso and pour into a large mug
2. Add chocolate syrup or cocoa mixture and stir well
3. Steam milk until hot and pour over the espresso-chocolate mixture
4. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired

Prep time: 7 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp vanilla syrup
• 6 oz steamed milk
• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 1-2 tbsp caramel sauce

Instructions:

1. Add vanilla syrup to the bottom of a large mug
2. Steam milk and pour over the vanilla syrup
3. Slowly pour espresso through the milk foam to create layers
4. Drizzle caramel sauce on top in a crosshatch pattern

Prep time: 8 minutes Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 6 oz hot water

Instructions:

1. Brew your espresso
2. Heat water to just below boiling
3. Pour hot water into a mug
4. Add espresso on top (or reverse the order for a “Long Black”)

Prep time: 3 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans
• 4 cups cold filtered water
• Ice cubes
• Milk or cream (optional)
• Sweetener (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine coffee grounds and water in a large jar or pitcher
2. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are wet
3. Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours
4. Strain through a coffee filter or fine-mesh sieve
5. Serve over ice with milk and sweetener if desired

Prep time: 24 hours Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso (cooled)
• 1-2 tbsp vanilla syrup
• 6 oz cold milk
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Brew espresso and let it cool slightly
2. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes
3. Add vanilla syrup and cold milk
4. Pour espresso over the top and stir gently

Prep time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso (cooled)
• 2 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 6 oz cold milk
• Ice cubes
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix chocolate syrup with hot espresso until dissolved
2. Allow mixture to cool for a few minutes
3. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes
4. Pour in cold milk, then add the espresso-chocolate mixture
5. Top with whipped cream if desired

Prep time: 7 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp instant coffee
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp hot water
• 8 oz cold milk
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine instant coffee, sugar, and hot water in a bowl
2. Whip with a hand mixer or whisk for 3-5 minutes until thick and fluffy
3. Fill a glass with ice and cold milk
4. Spoon the whipped coffee mixture on top
5. Stir before drinking to combine the layers

Prep time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (plus more for garnish)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 oz steamed milk
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat pumpkin puree, spices, and sweetener
2. Add vanilla extract and stir to combine
3. Brew espresso and pour into a large mug
4. Add the pumpkin mixture and stir well
5. Steam milk and pour over the coffee
6. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice

Prep time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 2 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract (or 1 tbsp peppermint syrup)
• 6 oz steamed milk
• Whipped cream
• Crushed candy cane for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine espresso, chocolate syrup, and peppermint in a mug
2. Stir until well mixed
3. Steam milk and pour over the coffee mixture
4. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane

Prep time: 8 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1/4 tsp each: ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg
• Pinch of cloves
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 6 oz steamed milk
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix molasses, spices, and brown sugar in a mug
2. Add hot espresso and stir until sugar dissolves
3. Steam milk and pour over the spiced coffee
4. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon

Prep time: 8 minutes Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 6 oz eggnog (store-bought or homemade)
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat eggnog in a small saucepan until steaming (do not boil)
2. Froth the eggnog if desired (it won’t foam as much as milk)
3. Brew espresso and pour into a mug
4. Pour the hot eggnog over the espresso
5. Sprinkle with nutmeg and add whipped cream if desired

Prep time: 6 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
• Chocolate shavings or cookie crumbles (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place a scoop of ice cream in a small dessert glass or bowl
2. Brew espresso
3. Pour the hot espresso over the ice cream
4. Garnish with chocolate shavings if desired
5. Serve immediately

Prep time: 3 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 6 oz hot brewed coffee
• 1.5 oz Irish whiskey
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• Heavy cream, lightly whipped

Instructions:

1. Warm a glass mug by filling it with hot water, then emptying
2. Add brown sugar to the warmed mug
3. Pour in hot coffee and stir until sugar dissolves
4. Add Irish whiskey and stir
5. Gently pour lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon to float on top
6. Do not stir after adding cream – sip through the cream

Prep time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp loose black tea (or 2 tea bags)
• 1/4 tsp each: ground cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger
• Pinch of cloves and black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp honey or sugar

Instructions:

1. Combine water, tea, and spices in a small saucepan
2. Bring to a simmer and let steep for 3-5 minutes
3. Add milk and sweetener, return to a simmer
4. Strain into a mug and enjoy

Prep time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 Earl Grey tea bag or 1 tsp loose tea
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup steamed milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp honey or sugar

Instructions:

1. Steep tea in hot water for 3-5 minutes
2. Remove tea bag or strain loose tea
3. Add vanilla extract and sweetener, stir to dissolve
4. Heat milk and froth if possible
5. Pour frothed milk over tea and enjoy

Prep time: 7 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp matcha powder
• 1 tbsp hot water
• 1 cup steamed milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sift matcha powder into a mug to remove clumps
2. Add hot water and whisk vigorously in a “W” motion until frothy
3. Add sweetener if using and stir to dissolve
4. Heat milk and froth if possible
5. Pour frothed milk over matcha mixture

Prep time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp loose rooibos tea (or 2 tea bags)
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup steamed milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Steep rooibos tea in hot water for 5-7 minutes
2. Remove tea bags or strain loose tea
3. Add vanilla extract and honey, stir to dissolve
4. Heat milk and froth if possible
5. Pour frothed milk over tea mixture

Prep time: 8 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp loose black tea (or 2 tea bags)
• 1/4 tsp each: cinnamon, cardamom, ginger
• Pinch of cloves and allspice
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Combine apple cider, water, tea, and spices in a saucepan
2. Bring to a simmer and steep for 5 minutes
3. Strain out tea and spices
4. Add milk and maple syrup, warm through
5. Pour into a mug and garnish with a cinnamon stick

Prep time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp matcha powder
• 1 tbsp hot water
• 1 cup cold milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Sift matcha powder into a bowl to remove clumps
2. Add hot water and whisk vigorously until smooth
3. Add sweetener and stir to dissolve
4. Fill a glass with ice cubes
5. Pour cold milk into the glass
6. Pour matcha mixture over the milk and stir

Prep time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp Thai tea mix (or 4 black tea bags)
• 2 cups water
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 star anise pods (optional)
• 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil with star anise if using
2. Add tea and sugar, simmer for 3 minutes
3. Remove from heat and steep for 30 minutes
4. Strain tea and let cool completely
5. Fill glasses with ice
6. Pour tea over ice, leaving room at the top
7. Drizzle condensed milk over the tea

Prep time: 40 minutes Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 green tea bags
• 2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tbsp honey or sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• Ice cubes
• Fresh strawberries and lemon slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Steep green tea bags in hot water for 3 minutes, then remove
2. Let tea cool to room temperature
3. Blend strawberries with honey until smooth
4. Combine cooled tea, strawberry puree, and lemon juice
5. Fill glasses with ice and pour tea mixture over
6. Garnish with fresh strawberries and lemon slices

Prep time: 15 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 4 black tea bags
• 4 cups hot water
• 2 ripe peaches, sliced (or 1 cup frozen peaches)
• 1/4 cup sugar or honey
• Ice cubes
• Fresh peach slices and mint for garnish

Instructions:

1. Steep tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes, then remove
2. Add sugar while tea is hot and stir to dissolve
3. Let tea cool to room temperature
4. Blend peaches until smooth
5. Combine tea and peach puree
6. Refrigerate until cold
7. Serve over ice with peach slices and mint

Prep time: 20 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 chai tea bags (or 2 tsp loose chai tea)
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 cup cold milk
• Ice cubes
• Ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

1. Steep tea in hot water for 5 minutes
2. Remove tea bags or strain loose tea
3. Add sweetener while tea is hot and stir to dissolve
4. Let tea cool to room temperature
5. Fill a glass with ice cubes
6. Pour in cold milk and cooled chai tea
7. Stir and sprinkle with cinnamon

Prep time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 Earl Grey tea bag
• 1/2 tsp dried culinary lavender
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup steamed milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Combine Earl Grey tea and lavender in a tea infuser
2. Steep in hot water for 4 minutes
3. Remove tea and lavender
4. Add honey and vanilla, stir to dissolve
5. Heat milk and froth if possible
6. Pour frothed milk over tea mixture

Prep time: 7 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1 black or green tea bag (optional)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 lemon wedge

Instructions:

1. Bring water and ginger to a boil in a small saucepan
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes
3. Add tea bag if using and steep for 3 minutes
4. Remove from heat and strain into a mug
5. Add honey and squeeze in lemon juice
6. Stir and enjoy

Prep time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried black tapioca pearls
• 2 cups water (for cooking pearls)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 black tea bags
• 1 cup hot water (for tea)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp simple syrup or honey
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Bring 2 cups water to a boil and add tapioca pearls
2. Cook for 15-20 minutes until soft and chewy
3. Drain and rinse with cold water
4. Toss pearls with brown sugar
5. Steep tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes, then cool
6. Add sweetener to tea and stir
7. Place cooked pearls in the bottom of glasses
8. Add ice, pour in tea, and top with milk
9. Serve with a wide straw

Prep time: 30 minutes Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp dried hibiscus flowers
• 10 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
• 2 cups hot water
• 2 tbsp honey or sugar
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine hibiscus flowers and mint leaves in a teapot or heat-safe container
2. Pour hot water over and steep for 5 minutes
3. Strain and add sweetener while still warm
4. Add lime juice and stir
5. Refrigerate until cold
6. Serve over ice with fresh mint leaves

Prep time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan
2. Heat over medium-low, whisking frequently
3. Bring to a simmer (do not boil)
4. Simmer for 5 minutes to let flavors meld
5. Strain if desired for a smoother texture
6. Pour into a mug and sprinkle with additional cinnamon

Prep time: 8 minutes Difficulty: Easy