Coffee isn’t just one drink. It’s many stories told through different cups—from the intensity of espresso to the delicate aroma of Arabic coffee. If you’ve got fresh beans, decent equipment, and a little patience, you can make café-quality drinks at home. Here’s a full guide to 13 essential recipes, explained step by step with practical tips.

1. Arabic Coffee (Qahwa)

Ingredients: 3 tbsp lightly roasted Arabica, 3 cups water, ½ tsp cardamom (plus saffron or cloves, optional)

Steps

• Boil water, add coffee. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
• Add cardamom and simmer 2–3 minutes more.
• Strain into the serving pot in the dallah and pour into small finjan cups.

Tips: Serve with dates. Arabic coffee is light in color, never dark like espresso.

2. Espresso

Ingredients: 18–20 g finely ground coffee
Equipment: Espresso machine, tamper, scale

Steps

• Heat your machine and portafilter.
• Grind, tamp firmly, and lock in.
• Brew for 25–30 seconds for 36–40 g of liquid.
• Tips: Sour? Grind finer. Bitter? Grind coarser.

Tips: Sour? Grind finer. Bitter? Grind coarser.

3. Americano

Ingredients: 1 espresso, 120–180 ml hot water

Steps

• Pull espresso.
• Add hot water.

Tips: Adjust water volume to taste.

4. Latte

Ingredients: 1 espresso, 200–240 ml milk

Steps

• Brew espresso.
• Steam milk to 60–65°C, and pour with light foam.

Tips: Whole milk gives the smoothest texture.

5. Cappuccino

Ingredients: 1 espresso, equal milk, and foam.

Steps

• Brew espresso.
• Steam milk with more foam than a latte.
• Pour for a thick layer of froth.

Tips: Sprinkle cocoa or cinnamon on top.

6. Macchiato

Ingredients: 1 espresso, a spoonful of milk foam.

Steps

• Brew espresso.
• Add just a spoonful of foam.

Tips: Keep milk minimal—espresso leads.

7. Flat White

Ingredients: 2 ristretto shots, 140–160 ml milk

Steps

• Brew a short double shot.
• Steam milk to a velvety microfoam.
• Pour into a smaller cup.

Tips: Perfect balance of strong coffee with silky milk.

8. Mocha

Ingredients: 1 espresso, 200 ml milk, and chocolate syrup

Steps

• Mix the chocolate with espresso.
• Add steamed milk.
• Top with cream or cocoa.

Tips: Dark chocolate creates a richer drink.

9. Ristretto

Ingredients: Same as espresso, finer grind

Steps

• Brew using the same dose but stop early at 18–25 g.

Tips: Sweeter, thicker, and more concentrated than espresso.

10. Cortado

Ingredients: 1 espresso, 30–60 ml warm milk

Steps

• Pull espresso.
• Add an equal part of milk (no thick foam).

Tips: Balanced and smooth.

11. Drip Coffee

Ingredients: 20 g coffee, 300–340 ml water

Steps

• Use a drip machine with a medium grind.
• Brew and serve.

Tips: Clean the basket regularly to avoid a stale taste.

12. Pour Over

Ingredients: 20 g coffee, 300 g water at 92–96°C

Steps

• Filter and rinse the filter, and add coffee.
• Bloom for 30–40 seconds.
• Pour slowly in circles for 2:30–3:30 minutes.

Tips: A steady pour = a bright, clean flavour.

13. Cold Brew

Ingredients: 100 g coarse coffee, 800 g water

Steps

• The fridge for Steep in the fridge for 12–18 hours.
• Strain and serve over ice.

Tips: Make a concentrate (1:4 ratio) and dilute later.

Pro Tips for Better Coffee

• Grind fresh: fine for espresso, medium for drip, and coarse for cold brew.
• Use filtered water: temperature matters — 92–96°C for hot methods.
• Clean gear weekly: oils and residue ruin taste.
• Taste and tweak: Write down grind size, brew time, and results.

FAQ

What grind size is best for espresso?

Fine, almost powder-like.

Can I make cold brew without special gear?

Yes — a jar and cheesecloth work fine.

Which milk alternative works best?

Oat milk steams best for latte art.