Okay, so you’ve read my previous post or you’ve done your own research and are on board to ditch the single-use Starbucks cups. For all of us who have grown reliant on our regular Starbucks outings this may initially seem daunting but the good news is that you have quite a few options! 

Two Things You Can Easily Do

Despite your resolution to find alternatives for take away coffee, you may still be experiencing the urge to make a quick pit stop on your way to or from work. In such moments, we must be prepared to curb these sudden withdrawals. Now I’m not going to simply tell you to make your own coffee at home and leave it at that because let’s face it, this isn’t very helpful advice. Instead, I have found two ways to approach this dilemma. 

My first suggestion is to always think ahead. You may be committed to staying Starbucks-free this morning, however, after a long day at work you may be thinking something very different. In such an event, it’s best to have a reusable cup handy. Although this may not feel convenient at first, once you designate a spot in your car or in your bag, it will slowly begin to feel normal and form a habit. Yet for those of us who would like to ditch Starbucks entirely–a very brave move–the rest of this blog will explore ways to make your at-home coffee rituals more special. I find that paying close attention to the details makes all the difference when brewing your own coffee, read on to discover ideas on how to elevate each step of the process.

Finding Alternatives for Take Away Coffee

Reflecting on my own personal experience of elevating my at-home coffee, I find that it really does come down to each individual’s preferences. In my previous blog, I ended with a question asking whether the Starbucks experience is special because of the coffee, the cup, or both. This is a valid question to ask yourself when discovering how you can preserve aspects of this experience at home. Of course, it could be a variety of other factors such as Starbucks’ customer service or convenience. I would still encourage you to think about these too–you might just be surprised how far a little bit of creativity can get you. The suggestions I will make are intended to be a starting point for your ideas, but I certainly hope they help!

The Coffee 

Arguably the most important element of the Starbucks experience to consider–the coffee. Now if you’re used to ordering venti cold brews with two pumps of syrup topped with cold foam or skinny honey almond milk flat whites, a cup of home-brewed coffee is just not going to cut it. Not even close. The goal is to make coffee that is still equally satisfying. Sometimes this means recreating the recipe to a T or finding something else that works better at home. Here are my top suggestions for making quality coffee at home:

1. French Press
   • The French press is an excellent option for anyone who is looking for a way to make high-quality coffee without spending too much money. The French press can be used to make hot coffee, iced coffee, and cold brew. While the process of making cold brew can take some extra time, it can last up to a few weeks in the fridge! Here is a link to a helpful article that shares how you can make your own cold brew!
2. Espresso Machine
   • My personal favorite–the beloved espresso machine. As someone who is committed to espresso, whether that be shots or lattes, this was a game-changer for my at-home coffee-making experience. Unfortunately, espresso machines can come with a steep price tag ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Thankfully, I’m not planning on opening my own coffee shop anytime soon so I was able to meet my needs with a Nespresso machine. Personally, I love the Nespresso brand because of its excellent customer service and its commitment to sustainability. With each purchase, you can select to add free recycling bags to collect your used pods. The bags come with prepaid shipping labels which makes the process super easy. Although Nespresso machines can also get pricey, it’s worth checking other sites such as Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp. You can often find espresso machines that are gently or even never used for much less.

What About the Foam?

Now, one of the more easily over-looked aspects of a great cup of coffee is the milk you use. If you’re a regular Starbucks goer, then a budget coffee creamer may not do the trick. Instead, invest in a higher quality dairy or nondairy product. I typically use almond milk but oat milk is a bit creamier and tends to work better for iced drinks. If you normally order drinks such as lattes, you may need to purchase a milk frother. Here are a few good options: 

1. Handheld Milk Frother
   1. If you plan on using regular milk, this is by far the best-priced option for you. These handheld milk frothers do a great job of creating the perfect foam to top your drinks and can be purchased on Amazon. For a rechargeable battery option, check out the MUD Whip here! The one big downside of these frothers is that they typically don’t work very well on dairy-free milk. If you’re like me and opt for dairy-free alternatives, the next frother option might be a better choice for you.
2. Electric Milk Frother
   1. Another option is investing in an electric frother. These frothers are capable of replicating the perfect foamy goodness that you usually only see at cute cafes. My personal favorite is the Nespresso Aeroccino 4  which allows you to choose four different ways of preparing your milk. The greatest feature of the Aeroccino is that it heats your milk while frothing. Another bonus is that you can make a cold foam if you’re making an iced drink. If your are willing to splurge, I would say that an electric frother is the best way to go for at-home coffee making.

The Cup

Finally, the cup. While nothing will truly replicate a Starbucks cup, I find that the right type of cup makes a difference in my coffee drinking experience. This will come down to personal preference but I typically like a tall glass for my iced drinks and a large rounded mug for my lattes. Something about holding the round mug makes me think of a cozy coffee shop, and remember, this is all about the experience!

Time to Get Brewing! 

If you made it to the end of this post then you’re likely a coffee enthusiast like me. Or, you might be studying the phenomena of why young generations are so hooked on Starbucks that they are led to write blog posts on how to cope with withdrawals–I ask myself the same thing. Either way, I hope some of these tips are helpful and make the transition to at home coffee-making just a little bit smoother. Keep in mind that building new habits does takes some time. For me, it’s definitely a work in progress and I still find myself craving my usual Starbucks drinks. This is when it’s important to remember why reducing plastic waste matters in the first place and how your lifestyle changes can make a difference. 

If you’ve already been making your own coffee at home or discovered some tips to make the experience more special, share them below!