6 Coffee Drinks That Will Transform Your Morning

A nice cup of coffee can make anyone a morning person. Adding luxury coffee to your morning routine boosts your energy, improves your mood, and gives you something to look forward to daily. Even better, you can make each of these divine coffee drinks right at home using just a few ingredients.A nice cup of coffee can make anyone a morning person. Adding luxury coffee to your morning routine boosts your energy, improves your mood, and gives you something to look forward to daily. Even better, you can make each of these divine coffee drinks right at home using just a few ingredients.

Cafe Au Lait

The added hot milk of a cafe au lait brings out the energizing aromas of the coffee. Strong, rich, and thick, a cafe au lait is the perfect start to any morning. Making a cafe au lait at home requires only coffee and milk, making it an easy option for busier days. 

Start with a large coffee cup and add hot coffee and steamed milk in equal parts. Pair this deliciously mellow beverage with a buttered croissant for a delightful breakfast. You can also use a strong but sweet pre-made coffee for faster mornings.

Cafe Con Leche

Cafe con leche is similar to a cafe au lait, except it uses espresso instead of drip coffee. We recommend cafe con leche for those mornings when you need a little extra caffeine to energize and power through the day. Blend a nice, strong Cuban espresso with equal parts scalded milk. 

Whole dairy milk gives the cafe con leche a thicker, fuller texture, but you could also use nondairy or vegan options if you prefer. Fuel up for a busy morning by pairing a cafe con leche with a buttered piece of Cuban toast.

Espresso Con Panna

If you enjoy the potency of strong espresso but with a sweet twist, you’ll love an espresso con panna. It’s easy to make an espresso con panna; the only ingredients you need are espresso and whipped cream, meaning you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee even as you run out the door. 

You can make an espresso con panna by brewing a double shot of espresso and then topping it off with one or two tablespoons of whipped cream. The heat from the espresso melts the whipped cream into a perfect blend of sugary, bitter tastes. If you have more time, some people prefer making their own whipped cream using powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Macchiato

A macchiato is an Italian espresso with a dash of milk or frothy foam. Macchiatos are a perfect option to limit milk or dairy since they don’t use as much as other coffee beverages. However, because a macchiato doesn’t include all the extras, choosing a high-quality espresso is essential.

Espresso is the dominant flavoring in a macchiato, meaning you’ll want to find one you love. If you prefer a milkier coffee beverage, add more frothy milk than espresso to make a latte macchiato. Because this recipe calls for foamy milk, whole tends to work best. Of course, you can always swap it out for a vegan macchiato using goat or other nondairy milk options. The light, earthy tones of oatmeal pair well with a tasty cup of macchiato in the morning.

Cappuccino

A cappuccino, another Italian espresso drink, differs from the macchiato because it uses steamed milk. Choose from either a single or double shot of espresso, based on how strong you prefer your morning cup of coffee. Then, add in equal parts steamed and frothed milk. 

You can always use more milk to tone down the espresso if it’s too strong for your taste preferences. You’re left with a rich, strong flavor that will instantly boost your mood. Cappuccino pairs perfectly with fruit pastries as the intense coffee bean aromas and rich fruit flavoring delight multiple senses simultaneously.

Hot Cocoa

Can’t choose between hot chocolate or coffee on a chilly morning? Then, you’ll love a hot cocoa coffee. All you need for this fall weather drink is instant coffee, milk, and hot cocoa mix. You can brew your own coffee or choose a pre-made bottled coffee drink for added convenience. This recipe is also an excellent option for sprucing up instant coffee when that’s all you have available.

Make the instant coffee as directed, add approximately two tablespoons of hot cocoa mix, and then flavor with milk or water. Top off the beverage with a small teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a sweet, woody flavor. The chocolate flavor of hot cocoa coffee serves well with dry, filling options like biscuits or bagels.

Enhance your morning routine by trying out these delicious coffee drinks. Stocking up your fridge and cupboards with a few prime ingredients ensures you’re always ready to whip up your favorite coffee drinks at home.