Fancy coffee isn’t just a treat you need to buy from a specialty coffee shop.
You can make fancy coffee at home by using a range of different brewing methods and techniques. Whether you enjoy bold espresso, velvety lattes, and decadent cold brew, you don't need to visit your local café…
In this guide, you’ll learn five different methods to brew fancy coffee at home as well as a few tips to elevate your home-brewing game…
Method 1: How to Make Delicious Espresso at Home
Espresso is an art form, and it’s the base of many of your favorite coffeehouse drinks — the cappuccino, latte, mocha, macchiato, and more. Mastering the art of making espresso is essential if you want to replicate the flavors of your local coffee shop at home.
Espresso is one of the “fanciest” coffees around. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- High-Quality Coffee — Opt for high-quality, whole-bean coffee and grind it fresh.
- Water — Use fresh, filtered water for making espresso. This produces the best quality shot and prevents mineral build-up in your machine.
Equipment:
- Espresso Machine — These coffee brewers are available in a range of shapes and sizes at a variety of price points.
- Coffee Grinder — Most espresso machines have a built-in coffee grinder. If yours doesn’t, use a burr grinder for a consistent fine grind.
- Weighing Scale — Use a weighing scale to accurately portion the coffee. This ensures you produce consistent results time and time again.
- Tamper — This small press is used to tamp the coffee into the portafilter.
- Demitasse Cup — A small coffee cup used for serving shots of espresso.
Coffee Recommendations:
The best coffee for making espresso should be high-quality, single-origin, and whole-bean. The boldest, most characterful shots are produced with freshly ground coffee — pre-ground options work, but you’ll never produce the same level of complexity.
We recommend a 100% arabica such as Cafely DaLat for a smooth, naturally sweet espresso with little bitterness.
If you prefer a stronger coffee with a bolder, darker flavor, we recommend opting for a well-balanced blend of arabica and robusta such as Saigon OG.
1. Prepare the Espresso Machine
First, fill the reservoir of your espresso machine with cold, fresh, filtered water and switch it on to heat it. Depending on the machine you own, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to 30.
Place a small demitasse cup (espresso mug) on the drip tray.
2. Measure and Grind the Coffee
Next, weigh out nine grams of high-quality whole bean coffee for a single shot or 18 grams for a double.
Grind the coffee to a fine consistency — similar in texture to powdered sugar.
3. Prepare the Portafilter
Add your ground coffee to your portafilter (the small basket that locks into the group head of your machine). Gently tamp the grounds, applying firm, even pressure until a smooth “puck” of coffee forms.
4. Brew the Espresso
Lock your portafilter into the group head of your espresso machine. Begin the extraction, aiming for a 25 to 30-second pull. Look for a steady stream of coffee that looks like thick caramel or honey.
5. Evaluate and Enjoy
Evaluate your shot. It should look dark and smooth with a caramel-colored crema on top. Give it a taste; it should taste strong, bold, and dark, but not overly bitter or sour.
If your shot tastes sour or bitter, assess the quality and freshness of your coffee first. If your coffee is stale or low quality, consider purchasing a fresh batch of single-origin beans from a reputable supplier.
If your coffee beans are good, experiment with the brewing process — alter your grind size, add more or less pressure during tamping, and alter the extraction time slightly.
Once you’re happy with your shot, enjoy it by sipping slowly.
Method 2: How to Make a Latte at Home
The latte is the most popular coffeehouse drink in the United States. It’s a little more complex to assemble than some of the other brews on this list, but with the right set of steps, it’s simple enough to replicate at home.
Here’s how to make a fancy latte coffee:
Ingredients:
- High-Quality Coffee — Opt for a high-quality, whole-bean coffee and grind it just before brewing.
- Water — Use fresh, filtered water to produce a clean espresso and protect your machine from scale.
- Milk — Most types of milk can be used to make a latte. Whole milk froths best, but plant-based alternatives like oat, almond, and soy milk also work well.
Equipment:
- Espresso Machine — This is the most important tool for making a latte. You’ll need a machine capable of brewing espresso and steaming milk.
- Coffee Grinder — Most espresso machines have a built-in coffee grinder. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need a burr grinder to achieve the fine consistency needed to brew espresso.
- Weighing Scale — Use a weighing scale to accurately measure the coffee.
- Tamper — A tamper is needed to pack the grounds into the portafilter for making the espresso shot.
- Steam Wand — Most espresso machines come equipped with a steam wand. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need a separate milk frother to create the velvety texture required for a latte.
- Milk Pitcher — A small, steel milk pitcher is needed for steaming the milk.
- Latte Cup — A large coffee cup (six to eight ounces) is needed to accommodate the espresso and milk.
Coffee Recommendations:
The best coffee for making a latte should be high-quality and freshly roasted. Using whole-bean coffee and grinding it fresh before brewing produces the best espresso for making a latte.
We recommend using a 100% arabica or an arabica-rich blend such as DaNang.
1. Prepare the Espresso Machine
Fill the reservoir of your espresso machine with cold, filtered water and switch it on to heat up.
Place a large latte mug on the drip tray under the group head of the machine.
2. Measure and Grind the Coffee
Measure out 18 grams of coffee beans and grind them to a fine consistency similar to powdered sugar.
3. Prepare the Portafilter
Fill your portafilter with the ground coffee and tamp it using your tamper. Apply firm, even pressure to create a flat, smooth puck of coffee.
4. Brew the Espresso
Lock your portafilter into the group head of your espresso machine and pull a shot into the latte cup. The perfect extraction time is somewhere between 25 and 30 seconds.
5. Steam the Milk
Add six to eight ounces of whole milk or a dairy-free alternative to a milk pitcher. Using the steam wand on your machine, gently steam the milk until warm, smooth, and velvety.
6. Assemble the Latte
Take your latte cup with the espresso and gently pour the steamed milk over the top, moving in a circular motion. Hold back the light microfoam on the surface of the milk until the cup is almost full, then release the spoon and gently place the foam on top of the brew.
Method 3: How to Make French Press Coffee at Home
The French press is a basic immersion brewer that’s low-cost but capable of producing a delicious, full-bodied cup of coffee. If you enjoy cafe-style brews — whether black or white — this brewing method is the perfect way to elevate your home brewing game.
Here’s how to make fancy French press coffee at home:
Ingredients:
- High-Quality Coffee — Use freshly roasted, high-quality coffee beans and grind them just before brewing for a cafe-level brew.
- Water — Use fresh, filtered water to make French press coffee.
- Milk (optional) — Add a splash of milk or coffee creamer if desired.
Equipment:
- French Press — These small immersion brewers are available in a range of shapes and sizes, but they all work in the same way.
- Kettle — A gooseneck kettle provides the best flow control, but any electric or stovetop kettle will work to heat the water.
- Coffee Grinder — A coffee grinder is required to produce a coarse consistency. A burr grinder produces the most consistent results, but a blade grinder will also work.
- Coffee Mug — Use a medium to large coffee mug for serving your coffee.
Coffee Recommendations:
Whole-bean coffee is the best option for making fancy coffee with a French press. If you want to make black coffee, we recommend a single-origin 100% arabica bean such as Cafely DaLat.
For a stronger brew served white (with milk or creamer), opt for a well-balanced blend such as Saigon OG. For a “turbo” coffee with a high caffeine content and a bold, slightly bitter taste, opt for a 100% robusta such as HaNoi.
1. Boil the Water
First, fill a kettle with fresh, filtered water and bring it to the boil. Then, allow it to cool slightly.
2. Measure and Grind the Coffee
Measure out 17 grams (per serving) of fresh coffee beans and grind them to a coarse consistency similar in texture to kosher salt.
3. Add the Coffee Grounds and Water
Add the coffee grounds to the bottom of your French press. Then, slowly pour over the hot water and stir gently to combine.
Place the plunger and lid on top of your French press, but don’t push the plunger down just yet.
4. Allow the Coffee to Brew
Set a timer for four to five minutes and wait for your coffee grounds to steep. The longer you leave the coffee to brew, the stronger and more bitter it will taste.
Tip: Push the plunger down halfway through the liquid at minute two or three and leave it there. This can lead to a more even extraction.
5. Plunge and Pour
Once the time is up, gently push the plunger down through the coffee to separate the grounds from the brew.
Slowly pour your brew into your favorite coffee mug.
6. Adjust and Enjoy
Add a splash of milk and stir, or enjoy black while hot.
Method 4: How to Make Vietnamese Iced Coffee at Home
Traditional Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sửa đá) combines the strong, dark, bold flavors of robusta coffee with the sweet, dessert-like creaminess of condensed milk. It’s brewed using a phin filter — a traditional pour-over setup from the region.
Once you have the equipment, this brew is incredibly easy to make, and it brings coffeehouse vibes straight to your kitchen.
Here’s how to make cà phê sửa đá:
Ingredients:
- High-Quality Vietnamese Coffee — Opt for a high-quality whole-bean robusta coffee of Vietnamese origin.
- Water — Use cold, fresh, filtered water
- Sweetened Condensed Milk — Cà phê sửa đá calls for sweetened condensed milk. This sweet, syrupy dairy product mellows out the bitterness of the robusta coffee.
- Ice — You’ll need a cup of ice to serve the iced coffee over.
Equipment:
- Vietnamese Phin Filter — This small, metal pour-over device uses gravity to extract coffee. It creates a concentrated cup perfect for making iced coffee.
- Kettle — A gooseneck kettle provides the best flow control, but a regular electric or stovetop kettle works well, too.
- Coffee Grinder — The best Vietnamese iced coffee is made with freshly ground whole beans. Use a burr grinder to achieve the fine grind size required.
- Coffee Measure — A coffee measure allows you to accurately dose the coffee, ensuring consistent results every time.
- Large Serving Glass — A large glass, big enough to accommodate the coffee, dairy, and ice, is needed for serving.
Coffee Recommendations:
The best coffee for making Vietnamese iced coffee is 100% robusta. Opt for single-origin, whole beans and grind them fresh just before brewing.
For a traditional cà phê sửa đá, we recommend a standard Vietnamese robusta such as HaNoi. For a stronger, more caffeinated cup, we recommend a peaberry robusta such as BanMe.
1. Boil the Water
First, boil a kettle of fresh, filtered water and allow it to cool slightly.
2. Measure and Grind the Coffee
For a standard four-ounce (120 mL) phin filter, weigh out 14 grams of coffee — this will produce one serving of iced coffee.
Grind the beans to a fine grind — a consistency similar to sand or table salt.
3. Prepare the Phin Filter
Assemble the phin filter over your serving glass. The filter tray sits on top of the glass, followed by the chamber (where your grounds and water go.
Pour the ground coffee into the chamber and tamp it with the gravity press.
4. Add the Water
Add a small amount of hot water to the grounds — just enough to cover them. Wait for 45 seconds for the gases to release. This is called the bloom stage.
After 45 seconds, slowly pour over the rest of your water. Fill the chamber to the fill line. Place the lid on top and wait for the brew to drip through the filter plate into the glass below. It takes around five minutes for a phin to finish brewing.
5. Add Ice, Condensed Milk, and Serve
Once the coffee has finished brewing, remove the phin filter from the glass and add ice.
Then, add two to four tablespoons of condensed milk to sweeten and cream the coffee. Stir gently to combine, serve, and enjoy while ice cold.
Method 5: How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home
Cold brew coffee is a smooth, mild, low-acidity brew made by steeping ground coffee in cold water for several hours. The gentle extraction results in a concentrated but balanced coffee with a rich, bold, sweet flavor.
It can be served black or combined with milk and syrup to create a dessert-like iced brew.
Here’s how to make a fancy cold brew at home:
Ingredients:
- High-Quality Coffee — Use fresh-roasted, whole-bean coffee for the best results.
- Water — Use cold, fresh, filtered water for making cold brew. This produces the cleanest brew.
- Ice — Cold brew is best served over ice.
- Milk (optional) — Add a splash of milk or coffee creamer when serving to create a creamy iced coffee-like beverage.
- Syrup (optional) — Add flavored coffee syrup, such as vanilla, to create a sweet, dessert-like beverage.
Equipment:
- French Press — A French press is the best piece of brewing equipment for making traditional cold brew coffee.
- Coffee Grinder — The best brews are made with whole-bean coffee. You’ll need a burr or blade grinder to achieve the coarse grind needed for this brewing method.
- Refrigerator — During brewing and storage, cold brew coffee must be stored in the fridge.
- Airtight Container — Any leftover cold brew should be separated from the grounds and stored in an airtight glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator.
- Large Glass — A large, tall glass is best for serving cold brew coffee.
Coffee Recommendations:
The best cold brew is made from freshly roasted whole-bean coffee. Most prefer the flavors of 100% arabica, such as Da Lat. However, you can also create delicious cold brew from balanced blends such as Saigon OG and 100% robusta coffee, such as BanMe.
Whether you select an arabica, robusta, or a blend depends on your flavor preferences:
- Arabica — These beans produce a cold brew with a naturally sweet, mild flavor.
- Robusta — These beans produce a strong, dark, bold cold brew with around twice the amount of caffeine as arabica brews.
- Blends — A blend of both beans offers the qualities of arabica and robusta. Expect a balance between bitter and sweet, with floral notes.
1. Measure & Grind the Coffee
First, you’ll need to measure and grind your coffee. The exact amount you’ll need depends on the volume of cold brew you wish to make.
For a standard four-cup French press — 17 ounces (500 mL) — use 45 grams of coffee and 12 ounces (350 mL) of water.
Grind the beans to a coarse consistency similar in texture to kosher salt.
2. Combine the Coffee and Water
Add the coffee grounds to the bottom of your French press. Then, pour in cold, filtered water. Stir the coffee and water gently to combine and place the lid on the press (do not plunge yet).
3. Let the Brew Steep
Place the French press in your refrigerator for 18 to 20 hours to allow the coffee to brew. The longer you leave it, the stronger the cold brew will be.
However, we don’t recommend leaving the brew to steep for more than 24 hours — this can release too many bitter compounds.
4. Strain the Brew
Once the brew has steeped, remove the press from the fridge and slowly push the plunger down through the liquid to separate the grounds from the cold brew.
Pour your coffee into a separate airtight container. Leaving the brew with the grounds can lead to over-extraction during storage.
5. Adjust and Serve
Add some ice to a large serving glass and pour in some of your cold brew. Give it a taste — if it’s too strong, you can dilute it with more cold water.
We believe cold brew made from high-quality coffee is best enjoyed black. However, you can also add a splash of milk, creamer, or condensed milk as well as a range of coffee syrups to sweeten and cream your beverage.
Once you’re happy with the taste, enjoy your fancy, coffeehouse-style cold brew coffee in the comfort of your home.
Tips For Enhancing Home-Brewed Coffee
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of brewing a barista-level cup of coffee at home. However, even if you already have your favorite beans and a reliable coffee machine, a few small tweaks can make a huge difference in quality, flavor, and aroma.
Here are five tips for enhancing your home-brewed coffee to take it to the next level:
1. Use High-Quality Coffee
Your brew will only ever be as good as the beans you make it from. Always start with high-quality beans sourced from reputable suppliers. Look for beans that have a roast date on the bag and try to find the most recently roasted beans possible.
Premium beans may cost more, but the difference in taste is immediately noticeable.
Make sure to select the right beans or blend for your taste and brewing method:
- Arabica Coffee — These beans produce a smooth, mild, and sweet cup of coffee with nuanced flavors.
- Robusta Coffee — These beans produce a strong, dark, bold cup with a high caffeine content.
- Blends — Robusta and arabica blends produce a cup of coffee with balanced characteristics of both beans.
You should also select a roast level suited to your taste and brewing methods:
- Dark Roasts— Produce bold, caramel-like, nutty flavors.
- Medium Roasts — produce sweet, chocolatey, nutty notes.
- Light Roasts — produce a cup with floral, fruity flavors.
2. Always Grind Your Beans Fresh
If you want to make cafe-quality coffee at home, grinding whole beans fresh before brewing is the only option.
Coffee begins losing its flavor within minutes after grinding due to oxidation. While pre-ground coffee is convenient, it sacrifices aroma and complexity — especially if the bag has been open for a few days.
Grinding beans just before brewing locks in their natural oils and volatile compounds, giving you a cup that’s vibrant and full-bodied. A burr grinder is the best tool for grinding coffee — it produces the most consistent results. Blade grinders work for coarser grinds, but the texture is much less consistent.
3. Use Clean, Filtered Water
Since coffee is 98% water, the quality of the water plays a huge role in the quality of your brew. Tap water can contain chlorine and a range of minerals that can taint the flavor of coffee and produce a muddy-tasting cup.
Using filtered water removes impurities and allows the natural flavors and characteristics of the coffee to shine. Some people even go as far as using mineral-balanced water specifically designed for brewing, providing a cleaner finish and optimal extraction. This is popular among people using specialty brewing methods such as pour-over and cold drip brewing.
While you don’t have to go as far as buying mineral-balanced water, you should always use fresh, clean, filtered water to brew your coffee.
4. Experiment With Brewing Methods
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brewing methods. Different brewing methods can bring out entirely different characteristics from the same beans. A French press will produce a thick, bold, oil-rich cup of coffee, a moka pot will produce a concentrated, full-bodied shot, and a pour-over or drip coffee maker will produce a clean, smooth cup.
Rotating between brewing methods will not only keep your morning routine more exciting, but it will also help you understand your flavor preferences better.
Here are some popular brewing methods to try:
- French press
- Drip coffee maker
- Pour-over (Hario V60, Kalita Wave, Chemex, Clever Dripper)
- Espresso
- Rok Espresso Maker
- Moka pot
- Percolator
- Turkish cezve
- Aeropress
- Phin Filter
5. Add Flavors and Creamers
Once you’ve mastered the basics of home-brewing, you can have fun customizing your coffee. Flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cocoa powder, and vanilla can be used during brewing or added to your cup after brewing to alter the taste of your brew naturally.
Creamers — both dairy and plant-based — can smooth out bitter flavors and complement coffee’s natural nutty and chocolatey notes.
Syrups such as vanilla, caramel, and crème brûlée can add dessert-like qualities to your cup. The key is balance — aim to enhance your coffee with flavors and creamers, not overwhelm its natural flavor.
FAQs: Making Fancy Coffee at Home
Want to learn more about making coffee like a barista at home?
Head over to the brew guides in the Cafely Blog or check out the answers to these frequently asked questions…
1. Can You Make Lattes at Home Without an Espresso Machine?
Yes. Although you can’t make a true latte without an espresso machine, you can make an extremely similar beverage. Simply brew a strong coffee base using a moka pot, Aeropress, or percolator, and heat half a cup of milk on the stove before frothing with a whisk. Slowly pour the frothed milk over the coffee and enjoy.
You can also use an instant latte such as Cafely Vietnamese Instant Latte.
2. Can You Make Iced Coffee With Instant Coffee?
Yes. While instant coffee is often avoided by coffee connoisseurs, its strong, dark, bitter flavor works surprisingly well in milky iced coffee. Simply brew a strong shot of instant coffee, cool, and combine with milk, ice, and syrup (optional).
3. How Do You Make Coffee Creamer?
Making coffee creamer is cheaper and often tastes better than store-bought options. To make coffee creamer, combine one part whole milk with one part heavy cream, and gently heat on the stove for around 15 minutes, stirring regularly. You can also add vanilla extract, sugar, or a syrup of your choice to sweeten the creamer and alter its flavor.
4. How Can I Make Coffee Foam Without a Steam Wand?
You can make coffee foam without a steam wand by heating a cup of milk in a pan before whisking to froth. You can also use a French press — simply pour the warm milk into the container and pump the press up and down through the milk until light, velvety, and airy.
5. Can You Make Iced Coffee With a French Press?
Yes. To make iced coffee with a French press, brew a strong, concentrated coffee by increasing the coffee-to-water ratio and then cooling. Pour the cooled coffee over ice in a large serving glass and combine with milk and syrup (optional). Stir and enjoy.
6. How Do I Make Vanilla Coffee Syrup Like Starbucks?
You can make vanilla coffee syrup by combining a Madagascan vanilla pod with equal parts sugar and water. Heat the mixture in a pan, remove the pod, and cool before pouring into an airtight bottle. Homemade vanilla syrup will last in the fridge for three to six months.
7. Can You Make Frappuccinos at Home?
Yes. You can make a beverage that resembles Starbucks’ Frappuccino at home by combining cooled coffee, milk, ice, and syrup before blending to create a thick, slushy beverage.
8. What is Mocha Coffee?
Mocha coffee is a blend of strong coffee (usually espresso), dark chocolate, and steamed milk. You can make it at home by brewing a strong coffee and combining it with warm chocolate milk.
9. Does a Moka Pot Make Espresso?
Not exactly. A moka pot brews strong, concentrated coffee that shares qualities with espresso. However, it doesn’t have the same rich crema due to the lower pressure of the brewing method. With that said, it’s one of the best alternatives for making espresso-like brews without an expensive machine.
10. What’s the Best Coffee for Making Espresso-Based Drinks at Home?
Use a dark roast arabica coffee or an arabica-rich blend for making espresso. We recommend using whole-bean Cafely DaLat (100% arabica) and grinding it fresh before brewing.
