There are a lot of downsides to quarantining, but no easy access to delicious coffee drinks is undoubtedly one of the worst. When your daily Starbucks run on the way to work is replaced by a leisurely stroll to the coffee maker in the kitchen, it's easy to find yourself pining for what used to be. Luckily, all is not lost: it's possible to whip up the perfect latte or iced coffee beverage from the comfort of home – even if you don't own a fancy espresso machine.
Fast, Easy, and Fun: Making Coffee at Home
With so many workers trying to stay productive at home, the most important part of the workday – a coffee break – is suddenly no more, throwing countless across the country into a deep, coffee-free funk. Fortunately, there are home-brew alternatives almost as good as the real thing.
Most coffee drinks are made up of three components: espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. You may not have an espresso machine at home, but a strongly brewed pot of coffee can do the trick in a pinch. If you have a French press or an AeroPress or can get your hands on espresso beans, this is an option, too. If you're really in a pinch, instant espresso can fill your caffeine void.
Making steamed milk and milk foam for a latte is easy. Simply fill a jar to the halfway point with milk and shake vigorously for 30 to 60 seconds. Then, microwave the milk until it starts to steam, keeping a close eye. If the milk overheats, the foam will flatten. The jar should be warm to the touch but not hot enough to need potholders to handle. When finished, you will have a jar of steamed milk with a layer of foam on top.
Latte: A latte is essentially a shot of espresso mixed with steamed milk and milk foam. Using a spoon to hold the foam back, pour steamed milk into your drink in your desired amount. When you are finished, spoon milk foam on top.
- Macchiato: A macchiato is a coffee drink with no steamed milk at all. Once you're finished microwaving your milk, spoon your desired amount of milk foam on top of your coffee or espresso.
Cappuccino:A cappuccino is similar to a latte but uses less steamed milk and more foam. Add a small amount of steamed milk to your beverage and top with a generous amount of foam.
Cafe au lait: Ostensibly the easiest of the hot espresso drinks, cafe au lait is simply a shot of espresso mixed with steamed milk. Spoon the milk foam off the top of your steamed milk and pour in your desired amount of milk.
Mocha: A chocolate-flavored latte, a mocha is an easy twist that can be achieved with a squirt of Hershey's syrup, sweetened cocoa powder, or even a pieced of melted chocolate.
The Famous TikTok Iced Coffee
If you spend any amount of time on social media, you've probably seen the famous TikTok iced coffee recipe for a sweet, delicious Dalgona iced coffee. All you need is instant coffee, granulated sugar, hot water, and milk.
First, mix two tablespoons of sugar, two of instant coffee, and two of hot water into a bowl. Using a hand mixer, a latte frother, or whisk and a lot of determination, thoroughly mix your concoction until it becomes thick and golden brown. Pour milk in a glass, add a few ice cubes, and then spoon your coffee froth on top. And that's it – that's all it takes to make the fun fad coffee drink that has taken the internet world by storm.
When you want to make the most of working from your living room, the perfect coffee drink is a must-have. Instead of struggling through your day without your normal caffeine buzz, sit back and enjoy a delectable drink. Don't forget to make working at home easier with help of your favorite Azio products.