7 Coffee Shop Drinks That Cost a Fraction to Make at Home
Coffee shop drinks are a fun treat, but ordering them regularly can add up fast. Many popular beverages cost between $5 and $8 each, even though the ingredients themselves are relatively inexpensive. With a few pantry staples and a basic coffee maker or espresso machine, you can recreate many café favorites at home for well under a dollar per serving.
Caramel Macchiato
Despite its fancy appearance, a caramel macchiato uses simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. Layer steamed milk with vanilla syrup, add espresso, and drizzle caramel sauce on top. Store-bought caramel sauce lasts for dozens of drinks, making the cost per serving surprisingly low. Making it yourself also lets you control how much caramel goes into each cup. Get the recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
There’s no need to wait for seasonal coffee shop menus when you can make a pumpkin spice latte whenever the craving strikes. Mix espresso with pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and steamed milk for a drink that tastes remarkably similar to the original. Since each recipe uses only a small amount of pumpkin purée and spices, one can and one spice jar can produce many servings for a fraction of the coffee shop price. Get the recipe.
Vanilla Latte
A vanilla latte is one of the easiest coffee shop drinks to make yourself. Brew a shot of espresso or strong coffee, heat and froth milk, then stir in a little vanilla syrup. Homemade vanilla syrup requires only sugar, water, and vanilla extract, making each drink significantly cheaper than ordering one from your favorite café. You can also adjust the sweetness and milk choice to suit your preferences. Get the recipe.
Mocha Coffee
A mocha combines coffee, chocolate, and milk into one rich drink that’s simple to recreate at home. Mix cocoa powder or chocolate syrup into hot espresso, then add steamed milk and top with whipped cream if you’d like. Even premium cocoa powder costs only pennies per serving, making homemade mochas one of the best values for chocolate lovers. Get the recipe.
Chai Tea Latte
A chai tea latte doesn’t require expensive coffee shop equipment. Brew strong chai tea using tea bags or loose-leaf tea, then combine it with steamed milk and a touch of honey or sugar. You can also make a large batch of homemade chai concentrate to keep in the refrigerator, making each future cup even quicker and more affordable. Get the recipe.
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Espresso
This coffee shop favorite can easily become part of your morning routine without the premium price. Shake espresso with ice, brown sugar syrup, and a dash of cinnamon before pouring it over oat milk. Brown sugar syrup is inexpensive to make in batches, and one bottle can flavor weeks’ worth of drinks. It’s an easy way to enjoy a trendy café beverage at home. Get the recipe.
Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew seems like a luxury purchase, but it’s one of the least expensive coffee drinks to make yourself. Simply steep coarse-ground coffee in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, then strain the concentrate. The result is smooth, less acidic coffee that can be diluted with water or milk and customized with flavored syrups, cream, or sweeteners. Get the recipe.
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