Specialty Coffee Site

I was looking up some quotes the other day and came across quite a few of them that talked about my favorite beverage… coffee. Here are a few of my favorites.

Coffee, the finest organic suspension ever devised.  ~Star Trek: Voyager

and here’s another one from the same show.

“I don’t want anything better, I want coffee.” ~ Captain Janeway Star Trek: Voyager

This coffee falls into your stomach, and straightway there is a general commotion.  Ideas begin to move like the battalions of the Grand Army of the battlefield, and the battle takes place.  Things remembered arrive at full gallop, ensuing to the wind.  The light cavalry of comparisons deliver a magnificent deploying charge, the artillery of logic hurry up with their train and ammunition, the shafts of with start up like sharpshooters.  Similes arise, the paper is covered with ink; for the struggle commences and is concluded with torrents of black water, just as a battle with powder.  ~Honore de Balzac, “The Pleasures and Pains of Coffee”

Caffeine isn’t a drug, it’s a vitamin!  ~Author Unknown

Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee.  ~Author Unknown (in case your wondering… yes, I’m a mom).

Tags: coffee quotes

The purpose of the Melitta Take 2 Coffee Brewer is to provide a convenient way to make fresh coffee on the go.

The Melitta Take 2 Coffee Brewer has two stainless steel cups that fit perfectly into the coffee holders in cars. Each of the two cups holds a full fourteen ounces of coffee. That’s enough to keep yous supplied for awhile.

The Melitta Take 2 Coffee Brewer brews coffee directly into either of the fourteen ounce cups. No pouring is necessary. No fuss and no mess! You’re going to love the convenience. The Melitta Take 2 Coffee Brewer uses a #2 cone filter and the brewer features dual spouts, which detach for easy cleaning. (You will love that feature!)

The Melitta Take 2 Coffee Brewer is a neat little product that will make an excellent gift for on-the-go coffee drinkers. It is a very good value.

Tags: Melitta Take 2 Coffee Brewer

I don’t know about you, but there are quite a few mornings where I won’t drink all the coffee I’ve brewed. I used to pour the leftover down the drain, but it seemed like such a waste. Plus I like some sort of coffee drink in the afternoon as a quick pick-me-up.

Now I pour the leftover coffee into a large mug, let it cool and then stick it in the fridge. When I’m ready for an afternoon (or anytime really) coffee treat, I take out the mug, add some ice and liquid creamer and I have myself a nice iced coffee.

Another idea is to blend the cold coffee with vanilla ice cream for a yummy coffee shake.

Tags: cold coffee

If you’re tired of the same old desserts for the holidays, why not make a milk shake instead. This coffee milk shake is as yummy as it is fun to make and drink. It’s also a great way to use up leftover coffee from that morning.

For some extra holiday flair, add a splash of peppermint schnapps and / or add a candy cane to your finished shake.

Delicious Coffee Milk Shake

• 2 c Milk
• 2 tb Sugar
• 2 ts Instant coffee
• 3 tb Vanilla ice cream
• Strong coffee; cold

Add ingredients in blender in order given and mix at high speed for 5 minutes or until blended. Pour into frosted glass.

photo credit: rick

Tags: coffee milk shake

I don’t remember exactly when this started (probably sometime way back in the 60s), but for as long as I can remember, the adult members of my family have been indulging in a cup of Irish coffee after Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve. It’s a great way to warm up after being out in the cold. Here they are:

Irish Coffee

• 4 c Strong fresh coffee
• 1/4 c Sugar
• 1/2 c Irish whiskey
• 1 c Whipping cream
• 2 tb Sugar
• 2 tb Irish whiskey

Place 4 cups of strong fresh coffee in a saucepan with 1/4 cup of sugar, or to taste. Add 1/2 cup Irish Whiskey and heat thoroughly but do not boil. (Scotch, Bourbon or other whiskeys could be used.) Meanwhile whip 1 cup whipping cream until light. Beat in 2 tb each of sugar and Irish whiskey. Pour coffee into mugs or goblets and pipe or spoon flavored cream on top.

Creamy Irish Coffee

• 1/3 c Irish cream liqueur
• 1 1/2 c Freshly brewed coffee
• 1/4 c Heavy cream, slightly sweetened and whipped (optional)

Divide the liqueur and coffee among two mugs. Top with poufs of whipped cream if desired. Serve at once.

These are both great. I use the second any when I’m making just one or two cups and am in a hurry.

Tags: irish coffee, irish coffee recipe, irish coffee recipes

Today I have another great specialty coffee recipe for you. This one is for a danish coffee. It combines dark rum, cinnamon and cloves for a hardy cup of Joe that will warm up chilled bones on a cold night. Here’s the recipe.

Danish Coffee

• 8 c Hot coffee
• 1 c Dark rum
• 3/4 c Sugar
• 2 Cinnamon sticks
• 12 Cloves (whole)

In a very large heavy saucepan, combine all the ingredients, cover and keep on low heat for about 2 hours. Serve in coffee mugs.

Once you have a cup of danish coffee, this will quickly become one of your favorite after dinner treats. My friends request it at dinner parties all the time. The flavors are strong and good. Take a sip and you can imagine sitting in Denmark on a cold winter day.

Tags: danish coffee

I love experimenting with different flavors of coffee this time of the year. Yesterday I made some coconut coffee as an afternoon treat after an exhausting Christmas shopping trip. (At least I’m all done now).

It turned out great and reminded me of those delicious coconut macaroons my grandma used to make. Here’s the recipe for the coconut coffee

Coconut Coffee

• 2 c Half-and-half
• 15 oz Can cream of coconut
• 4 c Hot brewed coffee
• Sweetened whipped cream

Bring half-and-half and cream of coconut to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in coffee.  Serve with sweetened whipped cream. Delicious!

Tags: coconut coffee

A few days ago I shared my recipe for alexander espresso with you. Today I’d like to introduce you to another favorite caffeinated after dinner drink of mine. This one is called Canadian Coffee. Here’s how you make it.

Canadian Coffee
1/4 c Maple syrup; pure
1/2 c Rye whiskey
3 c Coffee; hot, black, double strength

Topping:
3/4 c Whipping cream
4 ts Maple syrup; pure
Topping: Whip cream with maple syrup just up until soft mounds; set aside.
Divide maple syrup and whiskey among 4 warmed heatproof glass mugs or goblets. Pour in coffee to 1 inch of top; spoon topping over coffee.

Tags: canadian coffee recipe

If you really want to impress your dinner guests after a great meal, try serving them this Alexander espresso drink. Since it’s an espresso, it’s a fairly small drink, but the cinnamon and of course the brandy make it “fancy”. The drink is so yummy it can take the place of dessert, or you could of course serve it after.

Alexander Espresso

photo credit: andrew steinmetz
1 c Cold water
2 tb Ground espresso coffee
1/2 ea Cinnamon stick (3″ long)
4 ts Creme de cacao
2 ts Brandy
2 tb Whipping cream, chilled
1 ea Grated semisweet chocolate
Break out your espresso machine for this one or just make really strong coffee w/ a small amount of water. Break cinnamon stick into small pieces and add to hot espresso. Allow to cool for 1 minute. Add creme de cacao and brandy, and stir gently. Pour into cute demitasse cups. Whip the cream, and float some cream on top of each cup. For looks, garnish with grated chocolate or fancy chocolate curls. Multiply proportions by six and it’s perfect for a party.

Tags: alexander espresso, alexander espresso recipe

Hubby has been asking me what I want for Christmas and all I really want is a good espresso maker. Preferably one of those machines that also steams up milk. I just love the idea of waking up on a Sunday morning and being able to whip up a nice Cappuccino or Cafe Creme without having to leave the house. Yes, it would be an extra appliance sitting around the kitchen counter, but I think it would be well worth it and not having to run up to the coffee shop for my (almost) daily fix would quickly pay for the machine.

My dream machine is one of those heavy stainless steel ones that pressure steams the perfect cup of espresso, but honestly, I’d even settle for a cheap plastic model or even one of those old fashioned stove top peculators. Anything to get this delicious, aromatic black gold into a tiny cup.

photo credit: simone.brunozzi

And you have to love those little espresso cups. Just too cute and the perfect size for that quick afternoon pick-me-up. Caffeinated deliciousness!

Tags: espresso maker