If you love coffee, you are in good company. The National Coffee Association recently surveyed 3,000 Americans about their coffee drinking habits, and the results were very revealing. The survey showed 64 percent of adults in this country drink at least one cup every day. That number is up from 62 percent in 2017, and the highest percentage since 2012. That’s a lot of coffee, being sold from a host of vendors! However, the majority of those surveyed said they still brew a cup of Joe at home, also. Those results are not that surprising when you realize that Americans drink more coffee than any other country in the world overall, spending around $1,100 per year, although the people of Finland drink more per person. While it’s nice to have someone else make your java for you and clean up the mess, when it comes right down to it nothing beats the homemade version of your favorite coffee shop beverage, whether it’s coffee or tea. You don’t have to wait in line to enjoy a tasty hot drink when you can recreate the same flavor at home for a fraction of the cost.
Did you know that January is National Hot Tea Month? It’s true, and Jan. 12 is National Hot Tea Day. This is the month when the National Tea Council of the USA wants all tea drinkers to celebrate their love of tea. To help you enjoy your favorite hot drink at home, we’ve gathered some delicious recipes to assist you. Coffee and tea are enjoyed all year long, through every season, and we believe there’s nothing better than curling up with a steaming mug of coffee or tea to start (or end) your day. Here are some of the most popular hot drinks today, and recipes to make them right at home.
Let’s start with the rich, irresistible taste of chocolate and cinnamon blended with aromatic coffee. Our Mocha Cinnamon Coffee recipe has been modified from Taste of Home.
Mocha Cinnamon Coffee
- 1/3 cup coffee grounds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup whole milk, half and half, or whipping cream
- 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cinnamon sticks, optional
Combine coffee and ground cinnamon and brew four cups of coffee in a drip coffee maker. While coffee is brewing, combine the milk, half and half or whipping cream with sugar, baking cocoa, and vanilla in a small saucepan. Cook gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes or until small bubbles appear on the sides of the pan. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Pour the hot milk mixture into four coffee cups or two large mugs and add cinnamon flavored coffee. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles or shavings if desired.
For a delicious hot tea concoction you’ll fall in love with, try this Decaf Rooibos Latte recipe featuring the unique taste of South African rooibos tea from Oh, How Civilized. This makes a great tasting way to celebrate Hot Tea Month in the evening, since this herbal tea won’t keep you awake with caffeine. This drink calls for frothed milk, which can be done using a milk frother or by slowly heating the milk in a small saucepan on the stove. If you’re using the stovetop method, be careful not to burn the milk or let a “skin” form on top.
The Best Rooibos Latte
- 2/3 cup water
- 4 teaspoons loose rooibos or three rooibos tea bags
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Optional: ground cinnamon as topping
In a small saucepan, boil water and remove from heat. Steep rooibos for about 5 minutes. Add honey and vanilla extract. Heat milk using a milk frother. Divide rooibos tea into two mugs. Fill to the top with milk and top with cinnamon.
Next up, try this delightful recipe from Foxes Love Lemons for a caramel flavored drink you’ll love.
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup prepared caramel sauce, plus additional for drizzling
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 cups (16 ounces) hot coffee
- Whipped cream
In small saucepan stir together milk, caramel sauce, and brown sugar. Heat over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes or until foamy and steaming, whisking frequently. Divide coffee between two large ceramic mugs. Divide milk mixture between mugs and stir. Top each mug with whipped cream and drizzle with additional caramel sauce.
If you prefer to make yourself the perfect cup of iced coffee, we’ve got a recipe for that, too. We have included instructions on how to make simple syrup, but if sugar’s not your thing there are healthy sugar substitutes out there made with natural ingredients from plants, and these days many of them have flavored versions in liquid form.
Iced Coffee
- 8 to 16 ounces of brewed coffee
- 3 to 6 ice cubes (freeze coffee in ice cube trays for a stronger drink)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or half and half
- ½ teaspoon of Vanilla extract (optional)
- Sugar, artificial sweetener, or simple syrup to taste (optional)
Brew a pot of coffee the night before and allow it to reach room temperature overnight or pour the remains of your morning pot of coffee into a container and place it in the fridge to enjoy later. To make the simple syrup, combine 1 cup water and one-half cup of sugar in a saucepan. Heat mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once completely cooled, stir in vanilla extract. Serve coffee over ice with cream, milk, or half and half and simple syrup, to taste.
