Hey guys! Today we're sharing how to achieve Starbucks quality coffee at home. Don't get us wrong, we love Starbucks (especially trying fun new drinks), but buying it every day really adds up. We purchased a Nespresso machine last March, and cannot rave about it enough (specific model here). The machine is definitely pricey, but we look at this way: if you spend $5 five days a week at Starbucks, or wherever you buy coffee, that adds up to to over $1000/year. So, paying $250 for the machine plus pods (we most often use double espresso pods which are generally a dollar each), you're saving quite a bit. With that, we wanted to share our top 4 favorite at-home coffee recipes using our Nespresso.
Classic Vanilla Iced Latte
This is probably our go-to for making coffee at home. Brew a double espresso (our fave is Chiaro, but Scuro is great if you're looking for the more intense of the two). It's best to do this the night before and pop it in the fridge, so it's good to go in the morning. When you wake up, add chilled espresso, 6 ounces of the milk of your choice, 2 tablespoons half and half (optional but adds a bit of richness), and a tablespoon of homemade vanilla simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, pour over fresh ice and enjoy!
*For the simple syrup, we follow the linked recipe, but use 1.5 tablespoons of vanilla extract, and leave out the vanilla beans. When the syrup is cooled, we store it in a glass container*
Hot Latte with Sweet Foam
This drink uses the same same ingredients as the previous, but is the perfect option if you're wanting something hot instead of iced. First, we mix 5 ounces of milk with a teaspoon of sugar (you can of course skip the sugar if you like your coffee less sweet). Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (you want the milk to be just below a boil). While the milk is heating, brew a double espresso.
For the foam: mix one tablespoon of milk with 2 tablespoons of half and half and one tablespoon of the vanilla simple syrup. We use the Aeroccino milk frother that came with the version of the machine we purchased. This is a hot and cold frother. If you're going to use a hand frother, make sure your milk and half and half mixture is heated first. If using the Aeroccino, you just select the hot foam option.
Gently pour the milk/sugar mixture into your espresso and top with your foam!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Iced Latte
This option is higher calorie and more decadent than the others, but is SO GOOD. Mix 2 tablespoons PB Fit with 6 ounces of your choice of chocolate milk. PB Fit mixes very well, and doesn't get gritty or clumpy. Add a chilled shot of double espresso and shake with a cocktail shaker filled with ice. This step is important to make sure the PB Fit fully dissolved. Pour over fresh ice and thank us later.
Protein Coffee
This hack is perfect if you're trying to get your protein in! We use the Premier Protein in the vanilla flavor. Premier shakes are honestly delicious on their own, but the vanilla for this purpose is our favorite. Just add a the shake to a glass with ice and add in a chilled double shot of espresso. The shake is 160 calories, has 30 grams of protein, and 1 gram of sugar. With the addition of espresso, you really cannot beat this combo in taste or simplicity.
Let us know if you try any of these drinks!
