How to Create a Coffee Shop Atmosphere at Home
Going out for a fancy latte isn’t just about having a drink, it’s just getting out of the house. It’s about spending a little time in a different environment, enjoying something out of the ordinary. This is largely due to experience .
A trip to a coffee shop is a little consolation – a way to get rid of your own head. It is also one of those little luxuries that has disappeared at a time when we want it the most. So, here are some tips on how to create a cafe atmosphere in your own home.
Find a way to make it special
It’s time to get your hands on those fancy cups that you only use for special occasions. Maybe use that as an excuse to tidy up a bit to make your space feel more peaceful. If you have a cozy corner somewhere in the house, or even just an extra comfy chair, be sure to sit there. It’s about comfort and getting out of the routine, even if it’s just for a moment or in the smallest way.
Choose a drink to your liking
Depending on the ingredients you have on hand and your preference, you can prepare a few drinks at home to replicate the coffee shop atmosphere. Here are some options that don’t require fancy ingredients or special equipment.
Cold coffee
When prepared correctly , iced coffee can be incredibly soft with a hint of natural sweetness. It’s also very simple: just mix 1/3 cup coarse ground coffee with 1 1/2 cup water, then let it sit at room temperature for 12 hours. Strain twice through a coffee filter. The result is a cold drink concentrate that can be stored in the refrigerator and then diluted 1: 1 with water or milk.
The cold broth can be consumed neat or with cream and sugar. If you want an iced mocha, I highly recommend mixing iced coffee with chocolate almond milk. I always say these are stressful times and the more chocolate the better.
Dalgon coffee
This is the Instagram trend everyone has been talking about lately, and for good reason: it’s as easy to do as it is visually.
To make Dalgona coffee, mix one tablespoon of instant coffee, one tablespoon of sugar and one tablespoon of hot water, then whip it with a milk frother. (A hand mixer also works.) After a few minutes of stirring – when it becomes fluffy – coat the mixture with milk and ice.
Honest warning: This mixture is going to be powerful . One batch is easily enough for two servings and you need to mix it with milk before serving.
Pumpkin spiced latte
Making your own pumpkin spice cream is pretty straightforward and can be refrigerated for up to a week. It may not be fall yet, but given how distorted our sense of time is these days, off-season drinks are perfectly acceptable.
There are a number of recipes based on your milk and cream preferences and what you have on hand, including Sally’s Baking Addiction Cream , Food Network Milk, and Coconut Milk … from Minimalist Baker .
Typically, you will need milk or cream, sweetener, pumpkin puree, and spices to make a pumpkin spice latte mixture. When you make this mixture, add it to hot or cold coffee. Just don’t forget the whipped cream on top.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk is a really great way to add a rich, dark roast bitter taste. The most popular coffees for this drink are Trung Nguyen and Café Du Monde, although any dark roast will do.
The idea is to brew a really strong hot coffee, then mix it with condensed milk, then add water and ice.
Traditionally, Vietnamese iced coffee is made using a metal filter, but a French press will help. So you can soak two tablespoons of coffee grounds in 2/3 cup boiling water for 4 minutes , and then strain through a coffee filter. Once the coffee is hot, add the condensed milk, ice and water.
These drinks are certainly not the only options available. Depending on your preference and resources, you can mix coffee aromas and techniques to suit your mood. Just remember: this is a way of pampering yourself and an opportunity to step back for a few minutes. Be that as it may, go for it.