Coffee shop at home: how to prepare classic coffee drinks without a coffee machine

Like many people, you probably count on your drip coffee machine to help you brew hot, fresh coffee every morning. Some of you may have time to brew a daily Chemex pick-me-up with freshly ground, home-roasted beans. Well, the rest of us wake up in the morning, run to the coffee maker, press the button and silently pray that the coffee will be prepared quickly.

But what happens if, after pressing the button, suddenly nothing happens? What if the water doesn't heat up? What if the power goes out? Or even worse - because of someone you had to stay in a hotel or in a camp where there is no coffee maker in sight? In the latter case, it is worth thinking about who you spend time with.

Until such a situation occurs, you need to find a way to brew coffee. Depending on what you have on hand, there are several ways to make the drink without a machine.

While none of these techniques compare to coffee made with freshly ground beans and hot, filtered water, you can at least get a temporary solution to the problem. This is an alternative that should be used until you replace your drip coffee maker or choose other places to stop while traveling.

Pan method

If you have limited supplies on hand, this option will probably work for you. Using kitchen basics, you can prepare a cup or even a pot of coffee right on top of the stove.

You will need:

Coffee grounds
Water
Small saucepan
Spoon
Scoop

How to do it

Pour water into the pan. Use a little more water than the amount of coffee you want because you will lose some during the boiling and steeping.
Place the coffee grounds directly into the water. Use the same amount you would put in the coffee maker for the amount of water you used.
Set the burner to medium and bring the coffee to a boil. Stir occasionally to avoid burning the base at the bottom of the pan.
Boil your coffee for two minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for four minutes. This allows the grounds to settle to the bottom. Don't forget to turn off the oven.
Use a ladle to pour brewed coffee into a mug without lifting any base. A small ladle is ideal for this. If you don't have a ladle, you can pour the coffee out of the pot very quickly. The bases are heavy and mostly stay on the bottom.

When preparing any alternative method, you can focus on the following parameters:

Grinding (size of coffee fractions). The smaller the coffee particles, the longer it takes water to pass through them and vice versa.
Ratio of ground coffee to water. The larger it is, the greater the concentration of taste and vice versa.
Temperature of the water used. The higher the temperature, the less time it takes to prepare coffee and vice versa.
Cooking time. The more flavor you want, the longer the brewing should take and vice versa.
Infusion technique. The more infusions you make, the more flavor compounds dissolve in the water. If you need to enhance the bouquet of coffee flavor, add stirring.

Coffee bag method

Are you one of those people who wakes up with all your synapses ready to take on the day? If so, you can make yourself a small tea bag for the coffee grounds, as the French did during the 18th century.

You will need:

Ground coffee
Hot water
Coffee filter

How to do it

Measure one portion of coffee, then pour into the filter.
Close the filter tightly.
Tie it with a long string, leaving one long end to hang behind the cup, like a tea bag.
Heat the water using any method you have, such as a kettle, pot or even a cup in the microwave.
Place the coffee filter bag you created into an empty mug.
Slowly pour the hot water into the cup, being careful not to overfill the cup.
Let the coffee steep for about four minutes. You can increase or decrease the time it takes to make your coffee stronger or weaker.
Remove the filter and discard it before use.

Preparing milk froth

It’s easy to make delicious coffee without special equipment. Many of its fans prefer a high head of foam, for which I use different devices - for example, a cappuccino machine.

But if you don’t have one, you can use a mixer - manual or electric. Whip 3 percent milk or heavy cream at high speed until stiff foam (cooled in advance). Carefully transfer to a cup on the surface of the drink, decorate with cinnamon or cocoa powder, grated chocolate. Add syrup if desired.

By following simple rules and adhering to certain technologies, you can easily become a barista in your own kitchen, preparing many varieties of delicious coffee, even if you do not have special equipment for this.

Filter method

If your coffee maker is kaput and you don't have any filters, then you probably need to head to the grocery store. However, if you have a strainer, everything can work out fine.

But not any old setter. Be sure to use a strainer with very small holes, such as a double layer strainer, which will prevent your coffee grounds from getting into your cup.

You will need:

Ground coffee
Water
Kettle or saucepan
Strainer (small, conical, ideal)

How to do it

Measure out the required amount of water for the number of cups you want to make and pour into the kettle or saucepan.
Add the correct amount of coffee for the number of cups you are brewing. Paste it.
Bring the water to a boil and keep it simmering for two minutes.
Remove pan from heat.
Hold the strainer above the mug and pour the coffee through it. The filter will catch all the grounds that come out of the pot as the coffee flows into your mug. Unlike the pot method, you don't have to wait extra time for the coffee grounds to settle because you're using a filter.

Funnel Hario V60

This is not the easiest way to make coffee, and technique and awareness are very important.

A recipe that we often use in our coffee shop:

Water - 250g, hardness 70 ppm, temperature 95oC
Coffee – 15g, grind – 8 (EK 43)
Infusion time - 2' 05", total brewing time - 2' 45"

Insert a paper filter into the funnel, moisten it with water, and add coffee.

Divide the infusion process into 5 stages of 50g of water every 25” Place everything on the scale, turn on the stopwatch and pour in 50g of water in a circular motion. At 25" pour in another 50g, repeat the infusion at 50", 1'15" and 1'40".

Each infusion must be done in a circular motion , carefully so that the water is only on the coffee and does not pass through the filter.

The result is 250g of finished drink.

Wait for the coffee to finish brewing and enjoy!

Handkerchief method

You can brew one cup using this cheaper and easier method.

It takes a little patience, but the results pretty much guarantee that you'll be drinking coffee.

You will need:

Coffee
Hot water
Binding paper clips or clothespins
Clean linen or cotton cloth
Mug

How to do it

Place your handkerchief on the top of your mug, then gently press in the center to make the pouch large enough to hold a serving of coffee.
Secure the fabric in place using tie clips or clothespins. Be sure to use at least three clips to keep the scarf from getting into your coffee.
Pour coffee into a handkerchief.
Pour in a small amount of hot water. Allow at least 30 seconds to completely soak the base.
Slowly and carefully pour in the remaining hot water. Watch the clips as you pour and adjust them if they start to slip.
Remove the khakis and bases and enjoy your coffee.

Method two: for those who don’t like grains in their drink

We will send the most capricious coffee grounds deniers to the instant option, and for those who still prefer natural grain, I will suggest using the well-known French press. By the way, the Latin American method of cooking is also based on the use of this device (according to the stories of a friend who came from the Dominican Republic).

Interesting. The design of the French press was invented by the French in the 19th century. Initially, their model did not have a filter, and the coffee was simply mixed with water. The Italians could not stay away from this convenient device and came up with a filter for the press. But the French did not give up and at the third stage of the struggle for ownership of the invention they defeated the Italians. They created a modern design like a teapot, giving it the name “French press.”

It probably never occurred to the creators of the French press that they would use it to brew tea somewhere. In Russia, everything is possible and there is nothing to be surprised about, and it’s so convenient - the tea leaves remain under the filter, and a clear drink pours into the cup. I can imagine the faces of the Chinese contemplating how their national treasure - elite tea - was crushed by a European press!

On a note. For those who use a French press to brew tea, even if not the best expensive varieties, I want to say that this is wrong. Firstly, the structure of the tea leaves breaks down, i.e. tea leaves, which negatively affects the taste of the drink. Secondly, contact of the metal parts of the press with the tea infusion is extremely undesirable, again due to the loss of its quality. If time is valuable, brew a pyramid of natural tea.

But it’s been five years since the inventors of tea from the Middle Kingdom have had any reason to be offended by us. Russians began to use French presses for brewing coffee, and quickly realized that they should not use plastic models if they want to get a high-quality drink without extraneous aromas.

How to brew coffee in a French press

The principle is similar to the first description:

boil water;
pour ground coffee into the flask depending on its volume and the desired amount of drink. The proportions are the same, per 150 ml – 1 – 2 teaspoons of product;
NOTE: Coffee requires medium to coarse grind. Grains that are too small will pass through the filter sieve;
pour boiling water into the flask, stir after 30–60 seconds;
We put on the rod with the press and carefully lower it to the bottom. If the flask is full, be very careful, the hot drink may splash out and burn your hands.

Pour the finished filtered coffee into cups immediately. It will not be as thick and dense as in the first method, but quite tasty and rich.

Method three: just add water to the saucepan

Don’t expect a delicious aroma and excellent taste from coffee from a saucepan, but you can count on a good Americano. In dishes with a wide neck, which is the same in diameter as or slightly smaller than the bottom, the aromatic components will quickly evaporate, and only a small part of them will reach the cup.

Do not use a ladle, saucepan or pan made of aluminum without an enamel coating. Contact with metal will deteriorate the taste and destroy the beneficial components of the drink. Depending on the number of people who are going to take part in coffee drinking, select a container and prepare the necessary ground coffee. Its grinding should be medium or fine. Expect to put 1 – 2 teaspoons per 100 – 150 ml of water, which should be clean and fresh.

The preparation process is similar to brewing coffee in a Turk:

pour coffee into the pan, add sugar if required. Its quantity should be the same as coffee, preferably less;
fill with cold water and put on fire;
you can cover it with a lid, the process will go faster, but don’t miss the moment when the foam begins to rise;
When foam appears, immediately remove the pan from the stove. Let the nascent “volcano” settle and repeat the heating process until foam appears again. This way you will achieve a high strength of the drink;
leave the saucepan for 2 - 3 minutes to allow the grounds to settle, and pour the contents into cups.

This coffee is good with cream or milk, pastries, and sweet desserts.

Method four: if you have a thermos

A thermos will be very helpful at home for making good coffee. Before brewing, rinse the flask with boiling water to warm it up. Then pour in 10 teaspoons of ground coffee, if the capacity of the container is 1 liter, pour boiling water and close the lid. In 10 minutes you will receive a fragrant, thick drink. Pour it carefully so as not to pour coffee sediment into the cup or pour the infusion through a strainer.

A large-volume thermos will help in a situation with an invasion of guests. To avoid standing at the stove with a Turk, brew coffee in a thermal vessel. This preparation is also useful for coffee cocktails. The cooled drink will become the basis for a chic ice cream.

Method five: if you have a microwave

Everyone is accustomed to this miracle of household appliances; there is a microwave oven in almost every kitchen. If you act correctly and carefully monitor the process, you can prepare a delicious, rich coffee in the microwave in 2–3 minutes. Moreover, several servings at the same time, but in reasonable quantities. When there are 2 - 3 cups, it is easy to monitor the preparation, but if there are more, difficulties will arise.

The best type of cookware would be a transparent cup; the progress of cooking can be seen through the glass and you can control it. Prepare 2 teaspoons of coffee for 200 ml of clean water. Cooking steps:

take the required number of cups and pour finely ground coffee into them, add sugar;
Pour water, filling the cup 2/3 full. If desired, some of the water can be replaced with milk;
place the dishes in the oven and select maximum power;
turn it on, carefully monitor what is happening;
If you notice the foam rising, turn off the stove or simply open the door. When the foam settles, repeat the process. The action can be repeated a third time, increasing the strength of the drink.

If you don't like the grains, pour into another cup through a strainer. Be careful not to get burned by the hot liquid.

Here are 5 alternative ways to prepare your favorite drink without a coffee machine, coffee maker, or even a Turkish coffee pot. A true coffee lover will find a way to make good, fresh coffee for himself, friends and family. It will undoubtedly be better than water with instant coffee mixed in it.

French press

One of the most popular brewing methods among coffee lovers can be duplicated with minimal tools. This is easy enough to do in your kitchen or even over a fire. If your French coffee maker isn't working, give this method a chance.

You will need:

Coffee, preferably coarse beans
Hot water
Tablespoon
deep bowl

How to do it:

Place one tablespoon of coffee grounds in a bowl.
Pour in a small amount of boiling water, allowing it to completely saturate the coffee.
Add appropriate amount of hot water for servings. Let it sit for four minutes.
Once the coffee has sunk, use your tablespoon to gently press them into the bottom of the bowl. Be careful not to spill.
Pour the coffee into your mug slowly, using a spoon to keep the grounds at the bottom of the bowl and prevent them from falling into your mug.

Help with choosing a recipe for alternative coffee brewing methods

This guide will remind you of the key points of preparing high-quality black coffee.
For a deeper immersion in coffee culture and the intricacies of preparation, come to our barista school. Key points:

Use freshly roasted beans. Ideally: no earlier than three days and no later than a month after roasting, so that it is at the peak of its taste.
Choose the right roast. For an alternative, light or omni grains are suitable; such grains will reveal the maximum of their flavor potential.
Do not store ground coffee. Grind the grain immediately before cooking so as not to lose flavor and aroma.
Keep equipment clean. Wash all devices with a special product so that coffee oils do not accumulate on them, which will spoil your drinks.
Pay special attention to the water used for preparing coffee. It should be odorless, impurity-free and chlorine-free. Take the standards from SCA as an example.
Be sure to purchase a microprecision scale. Only with their help can you make the taste of the drink stable and control all aspects of preparation!
For alternative methods of preparing coffee, it is customary to start from the ratio: 60g of coffee per 1 liter of water.

Cowboy method

Don't worry. You don't need a horse or ten gallons to make this coffee. You can do this almost anywhere, although if you don't mind just a little grit in your cup.

You will need:

Coffee
Water
Kettle or pot
Spoon or other utensil for mixing

How to do it

Place one tablespoon of coffee grounds per serving of coffee in the kettle.
Add about eight ounces of water to the kettle. Mix well.
Place the kettle over your fire (or on the stove) and bring the contents to a boil.
After boiling for about two minutes, remove the kettle from the heat.
Wait about four minutes for the grounds to sink to the bottom.
Slowly pour the coffee into the mug as much as you can. Again, this is cowboy coffee.

Raf coffee: homemade recipe

Ingredients:

Coffee - 1 tsp;
Water - 40 ml;
Cream - 100 ml;
Sugar - 1 tsp;
Vanilla sugar - 1 tsp.

How to make raf coffee without a coffee machine

If you have a coffee machine, prepare 1 cup of espresso; if not, brew it in a Turk.
We filter.
Warm up the cream.
Add heated cream and sugar to hot coffee.

The recipe continues here.

Microwave method

As long as you have power and a microwave, you can also make your own coffee. This is also a simple method that you can do.

You will need:

Coffee
Water
Microwave

How to do it

Fill your mug with water and place it in the microwave for two minutes. The water should be very hot, but not boiling.
Add a tablespoon of coffee. It makes a sizzling sound when you first add it.
Allow your mug to sit for about four minutes to allow the bases to sink to the bottom of the mug
Enjoy your coffee, just make sure you avoid the last sip filled with coffee grounds.

In an emergency, break your coffee mug

Okay, just kidding. But if the mere thought of spending the morning without coffee makes you want to break your favorite mug, then it’s better to stock up on various devices for emergencies.

Instant coffee

This product is known for its bitter taste and bad reputation among coffee connoisseurs. Nevertheless, it has existed for almost a century. And there is a simple reason for this – convenience.

Keeping a supply of instant coffee in your pantry can literally save your life in a pinch.
It may not be the most delicious drink you've ever tasted in your life, but at least you'll get rid of the headaches you'll get if you forget about drinking coffee altogether. Italian premium quality instant coffee Lavazza Prontissimo Intenso – 95 g – set of 2 pcs.
Approximate cost: $14.99

On a note

To make espresso, the Turk with the added ingredients should be kept 2-3 cm above the fire and stirred from time to time, so the grounds will not burn, which means the coffee will not lose its fresh taste and smell. To enrich the taste, you can add a little whipped cream, milk or cinnamon to this strong drink.

Espresso coffee – what is it anyway? How to make espresso coffee at home.

It's hard to imagine a morning without a cup of fragrant coffee. This popular drink invigorates and fills you with energy throughout the day. Nowadays, more people prefer a drink called espresso coffee, which is distinguished from others by its rich taste and unsurpassed, stimulating aroma.

The main differences between Americano coffee and espresso

The main differences between Americano and espresso:

The volume of espresso is only 25 - 30 ml, and Americano - more than 150 ml.
Espresso is preferred by gourmets and connoisseurs of the bitter taste properties of natural coffee. Americano will appeal to those who do not like bitterness.
Espresso is prepared only by steam distillation, and Americano is prepared by continuous pouring.
To make Americano, the beans are ground coarser than for espresso.
Foam is an essential feature of properly prepared espresso, but it may not be present in an Americano.

Espresso is a drink for connoisseurs who appreciate the unmatched aroma and nutty flavor of real, high-quality coffee.

Fundamental tips for those who want to figure out how to make espresso coffee at home. We recommend you check it out!

Introduction
Choosing a variety
Choosing a roast
Properties of black roasted beans
What ingredients are needed
Step by step recipe
We prepare Americano and other drinks
Milk rivers: macchiato, glasse, latte and cappuccino
How to make in a coffee machine

This invigorating drink is very popular in all corners of the Earth. If you also love espresso and want to master the art of making it, then read the materials in this article. Especially for you, we have collected the most pressing tips - and prepared a step-by-step summary for creating the most delicious drink at home.

Before we talk about how to brew espresso coffee, we will explain the main nuances of choosing a variety. Professional baristas often use not a single variety, but a mixture formed from different types of Arabica. This allows you to achieve a multifaceted, but at the same time balanced, bouquet and the desired level of strength.

Robusta coffee beans can also be included in the mixture - however, in a very small percentage of Arabica. The fact is that Arabica has a more gentle, unique and generous taste. She is specifically responsible for the flavor pyramid of coffee. Whereas Robusta is coarser, bitter and full-bodied. At the same time, it forms the strength of the drink - and makes it a real energy drink, helping to wake up and gather ideas early in the day. The coffee chosen for espresso – it doesn’t matter whether it’s a single variety or a blend – should be full-bodied and sweet. This will balance out the bitterness inherent in this recipe. In addition, coffee beans should not have pronounced acidity. If the pyramid is dominated by sour fruit and berry notes, then this variety cannot be used to make espresso.

Brazil Mogiana

Brazil Santos

Costa Rica Tarraza

Another important aspect is the degree of roasting. For espresso, you must use actively roasted beans. The higher the roast level, the more intense and bitter the taste of the drink will be. A weak (light) degree of heat treatment helps to reveal sour notes, and a powerful (black) degree gives the coffee a generous bitterness and astringency. Depending on the variety, black roasting produces notes of dark chocolate, hazelnuts or tobacco.

Espresso coffee - what is it anyway?

In the middle of the last century, a new type of coffee was invented in Italy. Espresso translated from Italian means “squeezed” or “compressed”. It is prepared using a special device - a coffee machine.

Scientists from the Italian State Institute of Espresso are confident that in order to get a real drink, you need to fulfill a number of criteria:

use only natural grains of good quality and strong roasting,
store them in closed glass or earthenware containers,
Before cooking, the grains must be finely ground without turning them into dust,
use filtered water,
first, when making a drink, ordinary water is passed through it to warm up the machine,
The ideal temperature for brewing espresso coffee is 90 degrees,
the drink can only be poured into a perfectly heated cup called demitasse,
all parts of the coffee machine must be kept impeccably clean to eliminate unpleasant odors during the next espresso production,
You should drink the coffee drink immediately after making it.

If a brown-red foam forms on top of the drink, then the espresso was prepared correctly. They drink coffee in small sips to fully enjoy its taste.

And despite all the strictness of the rules, to make good espresso you can use a coffee tablet from a world-renowned manufacturer.