How to Clean Your Keurig (Just In Case You Don’t)

When an appliance in your home is functioning as it’s intended, not many of us stop to perform the routine maintenance it needs, because um, hello? There’s a mile-long to do list for things that are a bit more urgent. Sometimes, though, all it takes is…

When an appliance in your home is functioning as it's intended, not many of us stop to perform the routine maintenance it needs, because um, hello? There's a mile-long to do list for things that are a bit more urgent. Sometimes, though, all it takes is a few minutes and a little exploration of the appliance's parts to discover that A. it's gunkier and funkier than you'd care to admit and B. it actually runs a whole lot better now that you cleaned it. Unfortunately, even the most automatic of appliances in our homes (yep, dishwashers, washing machines, ovens) all need routine cleaning to function properly.

This is especially true when it comes to your coffee maker, which you probably use at least once daily. As it turns out, Keurigs and drip coffee makers can get mineral build-up in their inner workings, not to mention harbor all sorts of harmful bacteria (yeah, gross), which will not only make your brew taste weird, but will also compromise the lifespan of the appliance (and your health!).

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Coffee and Bourbon Boozy Milkshakes

These boozy milkshakes are all kinds of delicious! Coffee ice cream mixed with bourbon then topped with a chocolate chip cookie for the ultimate dessert! They are truly the best dessert for so many occasions, especially a cookie and cocktail party! Thi…

These boozy milkshakes are all kinds of delicious! Coffee ice cream mixed with bourbon then topped with a chocolate chip cookie for the ultimate dessert! They are truly the best dessert for so many occasions, especially a cookie and cocktail party! This boozy coffee and bourbon milkshake are probably one of my favorite desserts and […]

The post Coffee and Bourbon Boozy Milkshakes appeared first on Sugar and Charm.

What Does a World-Famous Bartender Drink First Thing in the Morning?

First Things First is a series chronicling the morning beverage routines of some of our favorite people.

What can you learn about a person from their coffee mug collection? If that someone is Aaron Polsky, the Los Angeles–based founder of ready-to-d…

First Things First is a series chronicling the morning beverage routines of some of our favorite people.


What can you learn about a person from their coffee mug collection? If that someone is Aaron Polsky, the Los Angeles–based founder of ready-to-drink cocktail company LiveWire Drinks, you’d rightfully surmise that he’s a loving cat dad with an affinity for rock and roll, Larry David’s bristly sense of humor, and old-school Nintendo games. But then, as you make your way toward the back of the shelf, you may wonder about an outlier cup adorned with ballet slippers and more text than a Dr. Bronner’s soap bottle. Don't worry, there’s a story behind that one, too.

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How Climate Change Is Hurting This New Mexican Coffee

In the sunny state of New Mexico, a handful of adventurous coffee roasters add piñons, small pine nuts that grow in the Southwest U.S., to give their coffee a local flavor, balancing coffee beans’ bitterness with piñons’ rich and buttery notes.

Indige…

In the sunny state of New Mexico, a handful of adventurous coffee roasters add piñons, small pine nuts that grow in the Southwest U.S., to give their coffee a local flavor, balancing coffee beans’ bitterness with piñons’ rich and buttery notes.

Indigenous communities in the Southwest discovered and ate piñon nuts from the Pinus edulis tree many years before Europeans arrived, as evidenced by cracked nutshells found at archaeological sites. Like other pine nuts (you may know the European variety from classic basil pesto), piñons are protein-rich and a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, plus they have a sweet, buttery taste. Native American tribes ground the nuts with a stone, sometimes turning them to a nutritious mush. Today, piñon nuts might be used in many other ways in cooking, such as sprinkled over salads, used to make desserts, or simply eaten as snacks. But now, climate change threatens to make this already scarce crop even harder to get hold of.

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How to Make Coffee Every Which Way—From Classic Drip to Pour Over

I started drafting this guide to making coffee while lying in bed early one morning. I hadn’t had any coffee yet, and I looked across the room wistfully at my coffee machine. (I live in a studio apartment, so yes, my coffee maker and bed are technicall…

I started drafting this guide to making coffee while lying in bed early one morning. I hadn’t had any coffee yet, and I looked across the room wistfully at my coffee machine. (I live in a studio apartment, so yes, my coffee maker and bed are technically in the same room.) I wondered how I could get it to brew itself so that I didn’t have to get up, in the meantime I am using single serve coffee bags to make it faster. This article, unfortunately, will not tell you how to do that. But it will tell you how to brew every type of coffee, from dependable drip to fancy French presses and everything in between. I’m not by any means a coffee snob. I wish I could get myself to slowly pour hot water from a gooseneck kettle over coffee grounds, slowly extracting their flavor, letting the subtle notes of orange and marzipan energize me. I wish I could detect dulce le leche and green apple and tobacco in my specialty beans. I wish I could become a coffee sommelier, able to tell the difference between Italian and Ecuadoran beans. But I’m not that person. Read More >>

Christmas Coffee

Enjoy cozy Christmas coffee in the morning, or spiked with Baileys on Christmas Eve! Add gingerbread syrup and top with…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Enjoy cozy Christmas coffee in the morning, or spiked with Baileys on Christmas Eve! Add gingerbread syrup and top with whipped cream.

Christmas Coffee

Looking for a cozy drink for the holidays? This cozy-spiced Christmas coffee is where it’s at! Mix up a homemade gingerbread syrup with brown sugar and whole spices: it infuses the best hints of cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Top with whipped cream and festive sprinkles, if you like! You can serve it at Christmas breakfast or brunch, or even spike it with Baileys for a treat on Christmas Eve. Here’s how it’s done!

What’s in Christmas Coffee?

This Christmas coffee recipe features hot drip coffee and gingerbread syrup. It’s similar to a Gingerbread Latte but it uses coffee instead of espresso. Top it with whipped cream and douse with red and green sprinkles for a festive holiday vibe. If you’d like you can add Baileys to spike it, and it comes like a spin on a classic Irish coffee. We like it both ways: it can work for mornings or evenings. Here’s what you’ll need for Christmas coffee:

  • Drip coffee
  • Gingerbread syrup: homemade or purchased (see below)
  • Whipped cream, for garnish
  • Baileys Irish Cream or milk, if desired
Gingerbread Syrup

Coffee brewing methods

Like with any coffee drink, the higher quality the coffee, the better the flavor! Make this with a standard coffee maker and it tastes okay. But make it using one of these coffee methods, and the flavor is incredible. Here are our top coffee brewing methods:

  • Chemex (pour over): This is our top choice for the best cup of coffee. There’s a bit of technique and equipment involved, but we’ve been making every morning for years. With a large pot you can make 4 cups at once. Go to Pour Over Coffee.
  • French press: Another great method is French Press Coffee! It has a great flavor and is a cheaper and easier method.
  • Moka Pot / Bialetti: For very strong coffee that’s almost like espresso, you can use a Moka Pot! It’s a combination between drip and espresso and has a robust flavor.
Gingerbread Syrup

Make or purchase gingerbread syrup

Now, let’s tackle the syrup! For the best flavor in Christmas coffee, use this homemade gingerbread syrup. It’s a brown sugar syrup that’s infused with fresh ginger, allspice berries, and cinnamon sticks. Simmer it for 20 minutes and give it a taste: the flavor pops with an intensely spiced kick!

  • Homemade gingerbread syrup has the best flavor here! It takes just 20 minutes and we highly recommend it. Go to Gingerbread Syrup.
  • Purchased gingerbread syrup also works, though every brand has a different flavor and sweetness. Here’s a link to buy gingerbread syrup online.
Christmas Coffee

Spike it for boozy Christmas coffee

If you’d like, add a little hint of booze for an adult Christmas coffee! It similar to an Irish coffee, but dressed up for Christmas! It’s great with Baileys Irish Cream, but there are lots of other options. Here are some ideas for spiked Christmas coffee:

  • Bourbon
  • Irish whiskey
  • Peppermint schnapps
  • Creme de menthe
  • Brandy
  • Baileys Irish Cream
  • Kahlua

More Christmas drinks

There are so many tasty drinks to bring cheer at the holidays! Here are some of our favorite holiday drinks and Christmas cocktails:

This Christmas coffee recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use vegan whipped cream (or omit).

Print
Christmas Coffee

Christmas Coffee


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Enjoy cozy Christmas coffee in the morning, or spiked with Baileys on Christmas Eve! Add gingerbread syrup and top with whipped cream.


Ingredients

  • 8 ounces (1 cup) hot coffee
  • 2 teaspoons Gingerbread Syrup (homemade or purchased)
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Baileys or a splash of milk of choice, optional
  • Homemade whipped cream, for topping (optional; or vegan whipped cream for vegan)
  • Sprinkles, for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the Homemade Gingerbread Syrup in advance (or use purchased syrup).
  2. Make the coffee, using your favorite method (we like Chemex pour over or French press).
  3. Make the homemade whipped cream, making sure to whip to soft peaks.
  4. Add the coffee to a glass or mug, leaving about an inch at the top for the whipped cream if using. Stir in the gingerbread syrup.
  5. Gently float the whipped cream on top using the back of a spoon.
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Coffee
  • Cuisine: Coffee

Keywords: Christmas coffee

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Yes, You Can Order Taylor Swift’s Favorite Latte at Starbucks

In my wildest dreams, I never thought a Taylor Swift x Starbucks collaboration would have come together. When I was 22, all I ever wanted to do was walk down Cornelia Street, sipping a nonfat caramel latte. Okay, Kelly, enough with theSwift references …

In my wildest dreams, I never thought a Taylor Swift x Starbucks collaboration would have come together. When I was 22, all I ever wanted to do was walk down Cornelia Street, sipping a nonfat caramel latte. Okay, Kelly, enough with theSwift references and get to the point: There’s officially a Taylor Swift-inspired drink on the menu at Starbucks locations all across the country. Customers can order "Taylor's Latte" or "Taylor's Version,” which is a grande caramel nonfat latte, in stores and via the Starbucks app and sip it like they’re a 5’11” cat-loving pop star. It has long been known to be Swift’s favorite Starbucks drink.

The collaboration comes in tandem with the re-release of Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ album, which she re-recorded after an infamous legal battle over the ownership of her master recordings. The coffee chain hinted that a partnership was coming after they tweeted “It’s Red Season” on November 8th, 2021; the tweet references Taylor’s album ‘Red,’ which was originally released in 2012 and has been considered by many to be her greatest and most iconic album to date with songs like “22,” “All Too Well,” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

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Confession: We Love Starbucks Holiday Drinks

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—that is, if you’re the type, like me, who has already made a dent in their holiday shopping list, started hanging string lights, baking sugar cookies, and playing the Hallmark Christmas movies on TV all day. lon…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—that is, if you’re the type, like me, who has already made a dent in their holiday shopping list, started hanging string lights, baking sugar cookies, and playing the Hallmark Christmas movies on TV all day. long. (Yes I know about Thanksgiving, shhhh). It’s also coffee lovers’ favorite time of year. Starbucks has just announced their lineup of seasonal holiday beverages, which will be released on November 4th, 2021, and they will inspire a playlist of Mariah Carey and Harry Connick Jr. from here until 2022 commences.

Starbucks 2021 holiday drinks include fan favorites that we’ve seen for years and years, like the Peppermint Mocha Latte, which is made with chocolate syrup and peppermint syrup; Toasted White Chocolate Mocha made with caramelized white chocolate and topped with whipped cream, red sprinkles, and edible white pearls; Caramel Brulee Latte featuring rich caramel brulée sauce, whipped cream, and a topping of caramel brulée bits; and the Chestnut Praline Latte, which is made with a caramelized chestnut syrup and topped with praline crumbs.

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8 of Our Favorite Coffee Recipes for International Coffee Day

Today, I will be celebrating International Coffee Day the only way I know how—with iced coffee and cold brew, lattes and cappuccinos, pumps of vanilla and pumpkin spice syrup, single and double shots of espresso, and maybe even a coffee cocktail (or tw…

Today, I will be celebrating International Coffee Day the only way I know how—with iced coffee and cold brew, lattes and cappuccinos, pumps of vanilla and pumpkin spice syrup, single and double shots of espresso, and maybe even a coffee cocktail (or two). If you want to join in on the fun, grab some beans, plenty of ice, a highball glass, and an eco-friendly straw to make one of these highly caffeinated beverages for Coffee Day.

Of course, there are plenty of places where you can get a free cup of coffee if you’re out and about. Bring a reusable cup to Starbucks on September 29th and receive a free cup of Pike Place Roast hot coffee. Or head to Dunkin and get a free coffee with any purchase (say 100 munchkins? Or two dozen donuts?) if you are a member of their free loyalty program. The same deal can be found at 7-Eleven, which will give customers a free coffee with the purchase of a baked good. Arguably the best deal is at Krispy Kreme, which is offering a free cup of Joe AND a free donut. Plus if you show your vaccination card, you can receive a free glazed donut. Double donut Wednesday it is!

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Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

Step into the season with an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte! It’s easy to make at home and has a refreshingly…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Step into the season with an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte! It’s easy to make at home and has a refreshingly cozy flavor.

Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

If there’s one drink that’s perfect for ushering in the cool weather, it’s the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte! This Starbucks special might be a little basic, but honestly: we’re here for it. Make it at home and it’s even better than at a coffeeshop: creamy and cozy-spiced, with a hint of vanilla and real pumpkin puree. It’s easy to whip up this pumpkin drink and when you take the first sip: you’ll want to make it on repeat.

What’s in an iced pumpkin spice latte?

The iced pumpkin spice latte is a chilled spin on the hot latte of the same name, first launched by Starbucks in 2003. An iced latte is made with espresso, milk, and ice. The pumpkin spin on it uses real pumpkin puree, pumpkin spices and maple syrup to make a cozy, autumnal spin on the classic. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this iced latte at home:

  • Espresso (or strong coffee)
  • Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • Maple syrup
  • Milk of any type
  • Pumpkin pie spice blend
  • Ice
Iced pumpkin spice lattee

How to make an iced pumpkin spice latte: basic steps

Here’s the outline of how to make an iced pumpkin spice latte at home:

  • Step 1: Make a double shot of espresso.
  • Step 2: Froth ¼ cup whole milk with ¼ teaspoon pumpkin spices by shaking it in a covered jar or whisking until frothy.
  • Step 3: Stir the espresso with 1 tablespoon each pumpkin puree and maple syrup.
  • Step 4: Add the milk and serve with ice.
Pumpkin pie spice

Use purchased or homemade pumpkin pie spices

Many pumpkin recipes use pumpkin pie spice blend, a mix of warming spices that are typically used in pumpkin pie. You can use a purchased blend, or if you can’t find it make it homemade. To make it homemade, mix together the following:

  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Espresso making methods (or use strong coffee

The hardest part of an iced pumpkin spice latte? Making the espresso! There are several methods for homemade espresso. You can also substitute very strong coffee. Make sure to use espresso roast coffee: it’s important to get the right dark, bitter flavor. Some brands we recommend: IllyStarbucks or Intelligentsia. Then, use one of the following espresso methods:

Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

Use any type of milk

This iced pumpkin spice latte works with any type of milk you like! The best dairy milks are whole milk and 2%. For a non-dairy option, we like oat milk: it has just the right creamy texture and lightly sweet flavor. Almond milk also works, but it has a sharper, nutty flavor.

Step it up: add whipped cream!

If you like, you can top this iced pumpkin spice latte with whipped cream or dairy free whipped cream! But honestly: it doesn’t need it (especially if you’d like to keep the calories down). We usually drink it without, but of course we had to do it for the photo!

More iced lattes and coffee drinks

Love a good iced latte? There are so many tasty lattes and iced lattes to try: and we’ve got homemade versions of all your Starbucks favorites! Try these lattes:

Print
Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Step into the season with an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte! It’s easy to make at home and has a refreshingly cozy flavor.


Ingredients

  • 2 shots espresso (2 ounces or ¼ cup strong coffee)
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup whole milk, 2% milk or oat milk
  • ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spices (purchased or homemade)
  • Ice
  • Whipped cream or dairy-free whipped cream, to serve (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the espresso: Make the espresso using an espresso machine, manual espresso maker, French press, or Moka Pot. (Or, substitute strong coffee.)
  2. Froth the milk: Place the milk and pumpkin spice blend in a covered jar and shake until foamy.
  3. Serve: Add the espresso, pumpkin puree and maple syrup to a glass and stir until combined. Top with the frothed milk. If desired, top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with additional pumpkin spice.
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Espresso
  • Cuisine: Coffee

Keywords: Iced pumpkin spice latte

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.