Take Your Coffee to the Next Level With These 10 Add-ons

When people want to jazz up their coffee, they typically add milk or cream and sugar. But only folks who live boring lives would ever do a thing like that! For the true adventurer, there are plenty of outside-the-box approaches to making your coffee taste unique. Lucky for you, we have some ideas that are sure to intrigue you. Plus, you’ll save a lot of money in the process since they can all be made in the comforts of your kitchen. Check out these 10 add-ins that will make your coffee much more exciting.

1. Chocolate Cinnamon Sticks

If you like chocolate and can’t get enough cinnamon, this is the perfect combination to put in your coffee. You don’t want to scald the chocolate; instead you should use a double-boiler to melt it, stirring it the whole time in order to get those lumps out. Next, dip those cinnamon sticks into the melted chocolate and put it into the freezer for about 10 minutes. Munch on them while you sip your morning coffee for a delicious treat.

2. Peppermint Extract

Here is a homemade extract that you might not have considered for your coffee, but you’ll quickly discover what you’ve been missing. Making peppermint extract is super easy. Start by packing fresh mint leaves into a jar, pour in just enough Ukrainian vodka to cover over the leaves, close tightly, and wait around a month. Once you can no longer smell the alcohol, it’s ready to use!

3. Whip Cream

Coffee not rich enough? Whip cream will do the trick. We’re not talking about the stuff in an aerosol can either. Buy yourself a small carton of cream and whip it with a few pinches of powdered sugar and some drops of vanilla extract until it has the consistency of whipped cream. If you’re feeling extra daring, add a dash of cinnamon. You can either stir the whipped cream into the coffee or just add a dollop on top as you would with a mug of hot chocolate.

4. Honey

It’s pretty common to put honey into tea as a sweetener, but fewer people think to add it to coffee. But not only is honey a healthy alternative to sugar, it tastes great. What a simple concept!

5. Homemade Almond Extract

Another way to flavor a coffee aside from using a syrup is to add an extract. Homemade almond extract sounds super fancy and complicated, but it really isn’t. You just need some patience and time. It starts with slicing some almonds and putting them in a jar with some high-quality vodka. Screw the lid closed tightly and keep the jar in a dark, cool place for about two months, shaking the jar every few days. The long wait will be worth it!

6. Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Pumpkin spice lattes are all the rage at Starbucks, but they’re only available during the fall months. But you can make a version at home that not only allows you to enjoy it year-round, but it’s superior to the version you’ll find at the chain coffee giant. It calls for simmering some pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger in a pan on a stove for around 15 minutes. Let it cool and add to your coffee!

7. Hazelnut Syrup

The good news is that hazelnut syrup can be made at home with very little effort. First, add a handful of nuts, a few teaspoons of sugar, and water into a pan and simmer for around 10 minutes. Set aside and let cool, strain out the nuts, and pour the concoction into a jar. Put a lid on it and enjoy the following morning!

8. Coconut Milk

Whether you’re looking for a natural, dairy-free alternative to milk, or you just want to try something different, give coconut milk a try. It is much thicker and creamier than soy and almond milk, and therefore it won’t water down your coffee. You can choose either the sweetened or unsweetened variety.

9. Nutmeg

Are you looking to mix things up with your coffee but aren’t a fan of sweet java? Adding nutmeg is a perfect solution. This spice contains a slightly woody taste and is commonly used when baking things, so it might just give you a sense of nostalgia. One sprinkle or two is all you need!

10. Whipped Maple Butter

Butter in coffee? Sounds weird, but folks in Vietnam, Singapore, and parts of India do it all the time. If you get creative and add some maple syrup, you might learn to embrace this idea. Start by whipping your butter on the high setting until it is fluffy, adding maple syrup and a pinch of salt in the process. Add a dollop into your coffee and you might never go back to the conventional way of making it. Best of all, maple butter can last you for months when refrigerated.