How to Make a Coffee Bar at Home

Author: be well™ with Big Y^® Registered Dietitian Team

Sipping on a cold beverage during the heat of summer is a must for staying hydrated and cool. But a daily visit to your favorite barista can quickly add up to a hefty weekly expense at $5+ a drink. Keep your budget in check, get creative and curate a special little nook in your own kitchen for you and your family to enjoy in the weeks ahead.

Coffee Bar Must Haves

Offering variety is the first step to success for any “coffee” bar, even at home. So, although coffee may be the main focus, do include options loved by all like tea, herbal tinctures (herbal teas) and hot chocolate. Whether your go-to is a single-serve coffee maker, espresso machine, French press, tea kettle, pour over, cold brew, etc, keep the instruments of your inspiration in one area. A corner in your kitchen or on an actual storage cabinet, or cart, will help make the area a special place to visit. And if iced options are the main feature, be sure to keep ice well stocked!

Sweetening the Pot: One Mug at a Time

Know your audience. Should you offer sweetening options with traditional granulated sugar, sugar cubes or the raw cut of demerara cane sugar? Are sweet-tasting alternatives like honey, agave and maple syrup a must? How about those looking for sweet flavor without added sugars that prefer non-nutritive sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia, sucralose, aspartame and saccharine? However you enjoy your favorite pick-me-up, offer differing options for sweetening for other family members and guests.

A Splash of Deliciousness: Dairy- or Plant-Based

When a swirl of creamy goodness is on the menu, understand the power of variety. From cow’s milk-based cream, half and half and milk, to plant-based alternatives derived from soy, almond, cashew and oat, there are a few key attributes to consider. Flavor, food safety and amounts of saturated fat and added sugars are worth considering, no matter the source of your splash. 

A little can go a long way for creamers, so keep an eye on servings sizes and how they are stored. Keep products refrigerated, while considering offering smaller serving sizes on ice, for pouring at the coffee bar.

A Touch of Home

This is where it’s at for curating a coffee bar that keeps you coming back for more and out of the drive thru. From glassware, silverware and on-the-go mugs, to seasonal expressions with home décor accents, napkins and plates, this is where creativity comes to shine. Have guests visiting? Consider adding favorite nibbles like biscotti, cookie crackers and snack bars.

A Health Note About Coffee Bars

Like when visiting your favorite coffee shop, excess calories can add up quickly. Sipping unnecessary excess calories can happen quickly, a lot quicker than eating their equivalent as food. Keep this in mind for how you stock your coffee bar. Let the frequency of your enjoyment of a coffee bar beverage dictate what you keep on hand most often for your use, versus during special occasions entertaining guests. Is sweetening with nutritive sweeteners like sugar, honey and maple syrup the best thing for your daily intake if you have 2 to 3 drinks a day? Maybe not. Consider mixing up your ingredients with those lower in added sugar and saturated fat, including whether or not to keep nibbles on hand. The goal is to enjoy a little space of splendor in your home to help keep more money in your pocket and your overall health in check.

Ready to become your own barista? Get started with these recipes: