There’s no denying the allure of a delicious coffee shop drink. Whether it’s a frothy latte, a creamy frappuccino, or a bold cold brew, these beverages are often the perfect pick-me-up. But frequent visits to your favorite café can quickly add up, leaving your wallet a little lighter by the end of the week. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice the taste or experience of your favorite coffee drinks to save money. With a few simple ingredients, basic tools, and some easy recipes, you can recreate those coffee shop favorites right at home — saving money while enjoying your daily caffeine fix.
Here’s how you can bring the café experience to your kitchen with these DIY coffee shop drinks.
An iced latte is simple, refreshing, and easy to make at home. All you need is your favorite brewed espresso or strong coffee, milk, and ice.
How to Make:
- Brew a shot or two of espresso or a strong coffee concentrate.
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour the espresso over the ice.
- Add cold milk or a milk alternative to your desired creaminess.
- Stir and enjoy!
Money-Saving Tip: Make a batch of coffee concentrate by brewing coffee with twice the amount of grounds, then refrigerate. This lets you whip up iced lattes or other coffee drinks quickly throughout the week.
Craving a rich mocha but don’t want to pay café prices? Combine coffee, cocoa powder, and milk at home for a chocolatey treat.
How to Make:
- Brew a shot of espresso or strong coffee.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon of sugar and a splash of hot water to create a chocolate syrup.
- Stir the chocolate syrup into the coffee.
- Add steamed or heated milk and top with whipped cream if desired.
Customize: Add a pinch of cinnamon or a drop of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
You don’t need a fancy blender or expensive syrups to make a delicious frappuccino at home.
How to Make:
- Brew and chill a strong cup of coffee.
- In a blender, combine the chilled coffee, a handful of ice, 1/2 cup of milk, 1-2 tablespoons of sugar or sweetener, and a splash of vanilla extract.
- Blend until smooth and frothy.
- Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce if you like.
Pro Tip: Use frozen coffee ice cubes instead of regular ice to avoid dilution.
Cold brew coffee is smooth and less acidic than hot brewed coffee, but specialty coffee shops can charge a premium for it. Making your own is surprisingly easy.
How to Make:
- Coarsely grind coffee beans and steep in cold water for 12-24 hours in the fridge.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter.
- Serve over ice and add milk or sweetener as desired.
Flavor Ideas: Infuse with cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, or a slice of orange peel during steeping for a subtle flavor twist.
If you love spicy, creamy chai lattes, making them at home is a cost-effective way to indulge.
How to Make:
- Brew strong black tea.
- In a saucepan, heat milk with chai spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.
- Combine the tea and spiced milk, sweeten to taste, and froth if you like.
- Serve warm or over ice.
Shortcut: Use chai tea bags and add extra cinnamon or ginger powder for a stronger flavor.
Matcha lattes have surged in popularity, but buying them regularly can add up. Making your own is simple and affordable.
How to Make:
- Whisk 1 teaspoon of matcha powder with a small amount of hot water until smooth.
- Heat and froth milk, then pour over the matcha.
- Sweeten with honey, agave, or sugar if desired.
Tip: Invest in good-quality matcha powder — it’s worth it for the flavor and health benefits.
DIY coffee shop drinks offer the best of both worlds: café-quality beverages and significant savings. With just a few staple ingredients and some basic tools like a coffee maker, blender, or milk frother, you can customize drinks to your exact taste preferences. Plus, making coffee drinks at home lets you control sugar content, milk alternatives, and flavor intensity.