27+ Ideas And Tips For The Best Coffee Combinations

Whether you are at home or love a special swing through the coffee shops there are some fun things you can do to make your coffee dance. From single additions to creating a coffee masterpiece. I am going to share some of the best coffee combinations with you.

(can you tell I like to experiment)

I want to help you understand some of the different parts or aspects if you will of coffee. Like different types of coffee or these extra names that seem like a foreign language. But understanding these things will help you make some great choices in your flavor combinations.

But more than anything have fun and don’t be afraid to try things. Having lots of food allergies coffee is the one thing that I can really experiment with and not have a total fail in the kitchen.

Different Types Of Coffee Drinks

If you’re a coffee lover with a weakness for yummy frothy and deliciously dark beverages, you probably know these treats can be rather pricey.

Perhaps you’re ready to try your hand at making your own caffeinated creations at home, but you’re not sure how to even begin.

Some of these fancy words can be a little confusing. Each different drink is made with its own particular roast of bean, particular grind, temperature, and ingredients. Let’s look at this simple primer on how to make popular types of coffee drinks in your kitchen.

Espresso: The key to making a good espresso drink is the grind of the bean. You should use finely ground, quality coffee beans instead of the coarse grind used in regular coffee. In addition, an espresso is much stronger than your regular cup of coffee. It’s made with one tablespoon of coffee per ounce of water. The ground beans should be packed firmly and evenly in the basket prior to brewing. Because of its strength, a small cup is used for serving espresso shots.

Mocha: This chocolatey coffee drink is a blend of coffee, hot chocolate and steamed milk. Prepare your favorite hot cocoa. Then add just a shot or so of coffee to taste, and then finish off with steamed milk. Serve in a clear mug with whipped cream on top for the perfect coffee house experience.

Cappuccino: A shot of espresso. With equal portions of steamed and frothed milk make up this classic concoction. Add the shot of coffee to a large mug, and then fill with the milk mixture. You can dust the top with a sprinkle of cinnamon, cocoa powder or nutmeg.

Latte: This yummy hot beverage is similar to a cappuccino. However, the difference is that your frothy milk is combined with the coffee, rather than poured separately on top. Start with a shot of espresso at the bottom of your mug, and then slowly pour the milk down the side. The goal is to blend the two gently because if you don’t the milk will lose its froth. You will have a flat white drink instead.

These are the basics of making your favorite types of coffee drinks at home. If you plan to indulge in specialty java regularly, you should consider investing in a proper espresso machine in order to get the best results.

Common Coffee Roasts

Did you know that coffee beans are usually stored when they’re green? They’re stored this way in order to maintain freshness and quality before being roasted. It’s the roasting that brings out the aroma and tastes we all know and love. Roasting uses high temperatures in order to bring about the chemical changes necessary to produce the desired taste when brewed.

Roasts can be divided into four main categories. These are light, medium, medium-dark and dark. A bit of trivia you may not realize is that it’s the light roasts that actually have a higher concentration of caffeine than the darker ones. Which makes sense right? The more you keep it under fire the less of the main ingredient it would have.

This guide to common coffee roasts will give you a basic understanding of each category and the types of coffee in each.

Light Roasts: This type of roast usually yields a milder, more subtle flavor. The outer surface is dry due to the fact that the roasting process is not long enough to break the bean down. Sometimes the flavor can be a bit sour, and such beans will be used in less expensive coffee blends. Common names for lightly roasted coffees include Cinnamon, Light, Half City and New England.

Medium Roasts: A bit stronger in flavor with a medium brown color, these roasts yield a bean that also has a dry surface. A bright, crisp and fully developed flavor is offered by medium roasts. A favorite of many U.S. coffee drinkers, you’ll find American roast in this category. Breakfast, Regular, City and Medium also fall into this group.

Medium-Dark Roasts: These roasts have a slightly oily surface and dark in color. They have a rich body and a sweet taste. You’ll find Full City, Continental, Viennese and Light Espresso among medium-dark roasts.

Dark Roasts: The final roast category is generally bittersweet in flavor with a black, shiny appearance. Low in acidity, these roasts have a broad variety from dark all the way to charred, losing acidity as darkness increases. Common names are French, Italian, Neapolitan and Spanish.

If you’re an experienced coffee drinker, you may know which roast is your preference. Those new to the beverage may wish to try out. Because there are so many varieties in types of coffee roasts, it’s always a good idea to try something new.

One Step Spice Ups

Ok for the days when you want a little extra something in your regular coffee to brighten your day and make your taste buds happy, these are fast and easy to do in the morning if you want to try a new coffee combination.

I love having these on hand because they are a great way for coffee drinkers to take your boring black coffee and make it more enjoyable.

• Change coffee flavors
• Use a French press
• Switch to cold-brew coffee
• Add vanilla syrup
• Use a different kind of milk like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk
• Add a splash of chocolate sauce.
• Have a few seasonal flavors like peppermint for winter, pumpkin for fall flavor, and vanilla for spring.
• Use sweetened condensed milk instead of sugar for the sweetener.
• Sweet cream instead of milk.
• Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to your coffee.
• If you have a few extra seconds of time use a warmer/frother to make yourself a creamy latte.
• If you need an extra kick of energy add a shot of espresso.
• Simply make an iced latte by adding ice to your usual morning cup of drip coffee after you have added your milk and sweetener.

Coffee Recipies That You Can Easily Make At Home

Black Forest Coffee

• 1 ½ cups hot coffee
• ¼ cup chocolate syrup
• 2 tbsp. maraschino cherry juice
• 1 ½ tsp sugar
• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherry
• Chocolate syrup

Combine first four ingredients into a mug. Stir well to mix. Place a dollop of whipped cream with a cherry on top, and then drizzle with chocolate syrup to garnish if desired.

Cafe Frappe

• 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup coffee, chilled (or use refrigerated cold brew coffee if you are in a hurry)
• 2 tbsp. simple syrup (see recipe below)
• Whipped cream
• Cocoa powder

This recipe couldn’t be easier. Simply add the first four ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Add whipped cream and a dash of cocoa powder to the top, if so desired. 

Simple Syrup

• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup water

In small sauce pan, bring ingredients to a boil over high heat. Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved, then allow to cool.

Coffee Imperial

• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 6 cups strong brewed coffee
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Sugar, to taste
• Crushed ice
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon

Place cinnamon sticks into hot coffee and let stand for about an hour. Remove cinnamon sticks. Add sugar to your taste preference. Store in refrigerator until chilled. Pour into tall glasses with ice. Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon to the top if you wish, then serve.

Fancy Italian Coffee

• 3 cups strong black coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp. light brown sugar
• Whipped cream
• Ground cinnamon

Add coffee and milk to a large sauce pan, and bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Moisten just the top edges of four coffee mugs with water, and then dip into shallow dish of brown sugar. Pour coffee mixture into mugs. Place whipped cream on top with a dash of ground cinnamon to garnish, if desired.

Gingerbread Latte

• 1 cup steamed milk
• 1 cup strong coffee
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tablespoon gingerbread syrup (store bought) (Torani – insert Amazon link)
• Whipped cream
• Ground cloves
• Sprinkles

Prepare your coffee according to preference. Heat milk in a pot on the stove until steaming, then use a wire whisk or immersion blender to froth the steamed milk. 

Add gingerbread syrup and sugar to your coffee cup. Next, pour your coffee into the cup and stir to dissolve sugar and incorporate the syrup. Add milk to the top of coffee slowly while stirring. Finally, place a dollop of whipped cream on top if desired. Then add a dusting of cloves or sprinkles as preferred.

Iced Mocha Latte

• 1 Cup instant coffee
• ½ cup boiling water
• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup chocolate syrup
• 2 cups cold water
• 4 cups milk

Pour the instant coffee into a bowl. Next, add boiling water and stir to dissolve. Pour sweetened condensed milk, chocolate syrup and cold water into the bowl. Stir all of these together to combine well. Pour cold milk into a pitcher. Next, transfer the coffee mixture to the pitcher. Stir well, and place in refrigerator for about an hour to chill. Serve over ice and enjoy.

Iced Vanilla Caramel Coffee

• 4 cups coffee, chilled
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup French Vanilla non-dairy creamer
• 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 3 cups crushed ice
• Whipped cream

Add all ingredients except whipped cream to blender. Blend together until ice is incorporated smoothly. Then pour into four glasses of your choice to serve. Add whipped cream to top if desired.

Maple Coffee Punch

• 8 cups hot water
• ½ cup instant coffee
• 2 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups pure maple syrup
• 2 cups heavy cream
• Ice cubes

Bring water to boil in large pot. Add instant coffee, vanilla extra and maple syrup. Stir well. Allow to cool a bit before placing in refrigerator to chill overnight. When ready to serve, pour into punch bowl and add heavy cream. Stir to combine ingredients, and then add ice.

Milky Way Mocha

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• ½ cup milk, steamed
• Caramel sauce, to taste
• Whipped cream

Add caramel sauce to a mug and pour coffee over top. Stir well until sauce is mixed thoroughly into liquid. Then add steamed milk and stir again. Dollop whipped cream on top and drizzle caramel syrup over that, if desired.

Nutella Blended Coffee

• 1 cup milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsp instant coffee
• 4 tsp Nutella
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 cup ice
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate syrup
• Cocoa powder

Add first six ingredients to blender. Blend until smoothly incorporated. Swirl chocolate syrup around the sides of a tall clear cup and pour in mixture. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder to garnish

Peppermint Mocha

• 1 cup coffee to taste
• 1 packet of your favorite hot chocolate
• 1 tbsp. peppermint syrup (store bought) (Torani – insert affiliate link)
• 1 to 2 oz. milk
• Whipped cream
• Crushed candy cane

Pour coffee in mug, and then slowly add hot chocolate while stirring. Be sure to dissolve hot chocolate mixture thoroughly. Add peppermint syrup and stir again. You can add more syrup, according to your preference. Add just a splash of milk, then top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes to garnish if desired.

Peppermint Patty Coffee

• 8 ounces coffee
• 2 tbsp. cocoa mix
• ½ tsp peppermint extract
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 ounces milk

Place dry ingredients in mug, then slowly pour coffee over top. Stir until cocoa mix and sugar are completely dissolved. Add peppermint extract and milk, and then stir until well blended.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

• ½ cup milk
• 1 tbsp. canned pumpkin puree
• ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup coffee
• 2 tbsp. half and half
• 1 tsp sugar
• Whipped cream
• Nutmeg

In microwave safe bowl, whisk first four ingredients together. Microwave until frothy, approximately one to two minutes. Watch carefully to avoid boiling over. Pour mixture into tall mug, and then add coffee. Next, add cream and sugar. Stir well. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle of nutmeg if you’d like.

Raspberry Coffee Frappe

• 2 cups strong, chilled coffee
• ¼ cup raspberry flavored syrup (store bought)
• ½ cup half and half
• 2 ½ cups ice cubes
• 6 scoops coffee ice cream
• Chocolate shavings (optional)

Add half the coffee, raspberry syrup, half and half, then ice cubes in a blender. Blend until smooth and ice is finely crushed. Pour in the other half of the coffee, then blend on low speed just long enough to combine ingredients. Pour into glasses, then place one scoop of ice cream on top. Finish with a garnish of chocolate shavings if desired.

Walnut Frappe

• 7 walnuts
• 1 tsp instant coffee
• 2 tsp chocolate chips
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tsp honey
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate sprinkles

Grind walnuts in a blender until fine then add all of the remaining ingredients. Blend well until smooth consistency. Pour in glasses, add whipped cream and sprinkles on top (optional) and enjoy.

Have fun with it and remember that it’s pretty hard to make coffee taste terrible. It may not be perfect but its always tweakable. And you can take something out if you know you don’t like it.