18 Coffee Shop Drinks You Can Make at Home (Easy Recipes)

Coffee shop drinks taste great, but the prices add up fast. The good news is you can make your favorites at home with simple ingredients, and many of them take only 5 minutes.

Here are 18 coffee shop drinks you can make at home, from cozy hot lattes to iced coffees, fruity refreshers and blended frappes. Each recipe makes one drink, and some of them have no coffee at all.

Before You Start: The Basics

• Use strong coffee. Espresso is best. A moka pot, instant espresso powder or double-strength brewed coffee also works.
• Mix flavors into hot coffee. Syrups, sugar and spices dissolve best in warm espresso.
• Froth your milk. A whisk, a jar or a handheld frother is enough for a cafe-style top.
• Try other milks. Oat, almond and coconut milk all work. Oat milk is the creamiest.
• Chill iced drinks first. Cold milk and a full glass of ice keep the drink from getting watery.

Hot Coffee Shop Drinks

1. Gingerbread Latte

Warm spices and molasses in a creamy latte. It tastes like a holiday cookie.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Warm the milk with the molasses, sugar and spices, whisking until smooth.
2. Pour the hot espresso into a mug.
3. Add the spiced milk and top with whipped cream.

Tip: Froth the milk with a whisk or handheld frother for a cafe-style top.

2. Peppermint Mocha

Chocolate and cool peppermint together. A favorite on cold days.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp chocolate syrup
• ¼ tsp peppermint extract
• Whipped cream and crushed candy cane

Instructions

1. Stir the chocolate syrup and peppermint extract into the hot espresso.
2. Heat the milk until steaming and pour it into the mug.
3. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane.

Tip: Go easy on the peppermint extract. A little goes a long way.

3. Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Buttery cinnamon sugar swirled into a smooth latte.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Stir the brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla into the hot espresso.
2. Warm the milk until steaming and pour it in.
3. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon sugar.

Tip: Mix the cinnamon into the hot espresso first so it does not clump.

4. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Real pumpkin, warm spices and espresso. Much better than the bottled syrup.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1½ tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Whisk the milk, pumpkin, sugar and spice in a pan over medium heat until steaming.
2. Pour the hot espresso into a mug.
3. Add the pumpkin milk and top with whipped cream and a pinch of spice.

Tip: Do not let the milk boil. Gentle heat keeps it smooth.

5. Chai Tea Latte

Spiced tea and creamy milk. A great choice when you want something cozy without coffee.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 chai tea bags
• ¾ cup hot water
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tbsp honey or sugar
• Pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

1. Steep the tea bags in the hot water for 5 minutes, then remove them.
2. Warm and froth the milk with the honey.
3. Pour the milk over the tea and dust with cinnamon.

Tip: Steep the tea longer for a stronger, spicier chai.

6. Honey Almond Milk Flat White

Smooth, strong and lightly sweet. A flat white has less foam and more coffee flavor.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• ¾ cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Stir the honey into the hot espresso.
2. Heat the almond milk and froth it lightly.
3. Pour the milk over the espresso, keeping the foam thin.

Tip: Barista-style almond milk froths best.

7. Lavender Cream Oat Milk Latte

Soft floral flavor with creamy oat milk. Light, pretty and a little different.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• 1 cup oat milk
• 1½ tbsp lavender syrup

Instructions

1. Stir the lavender syrup into the hot espresso.
2. Warm and froth the oat milk.
3. Pour into a glass and top with the foam.

Tip: Use culinary lavender only, and a little at a time. Too much tastes like soap.

8. Eggnog Latte

Rich, creamy and made for the holidays. Espresso and eggnog work well together.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• ¾ cup eggnog
• ¼ cup milk
• Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

1. Warm the eggnog and milk gently, without boiling.
2. Pour the hot espresso into a mug.
3. Add the warm eggnog and top with nutmeg.

Tip: Heat eggnog slowly on low. It can curdle if it gets too hot.

9. DIY Hot Chocolate

Real chocolate, no mix. Rich, thick and ready in 5 minutes.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp chocolate chips
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Mini marshmallows

Instructions

1. Whisk the milk, cocoa, sugar and salt in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the chocolate chips and vanilla and stir until melted.
3. Pour into a mug and top with marshmallows.

Tip: A tiny pinch of salt makes the chocolate taste richer.

Iced Coffee Shop Drinks

10. Iced Caramel Mocha

Chocolate and caramel over ice. Sweet with a little salty edge if you add a pinch of salt.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• 1 cup cold milk
• 1 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 1 tbsp caramel sauce
• 1½ cups ice
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Stir the chocolate and caramel into the hot espresso.
2. Fill a glass with ice and add the milk.
3. Pour in the espresso and top with whipped cream.

Tip: Add a tiny pinch of sea salt on top for that salty-sweet flavor.

11. Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso

Shaken until foamy, then topped with oat milk. Light, bubbly and not too sweet.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• ½ cup oat milk
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Add the espresso, sugar, cinnamon and ice to a jar with a lid.
2. Shake hard for 15 seconds until foamy.
3. Pour into a glass and top with the oat milk.

Tip: Shaking cools the espresso fast and creates the foam.

12. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

Smooth cold brew topped with a soft vanilla cream that slowly sinks in.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• ¾ cup cold brew coffee
• 1 cup ice
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 1½ tbsp vanilla syrup

Instructions

1. Fill a glass with ice and pour in the cold brew.
2. Whisk or froth the milk, cream and vanilla syrup until lightly thick.
3. Pour the sweet cream slowly over the top.

Tip: A handheld frother makes the cream foam in about 20 seconds.

13. Iced Matcha Latte

Bright green, creamy and refreshing. Easy once you know how to whisk the matcha.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 1 tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup hot water (not boiling)
• 1 cup cold milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Whisk the matcha, honey and hot water until smooth and frothy.
2. Fill a glass with ice and add the milk.
3. Pour the matcha over the top.

Tip: Sift the matcha first and use water around 80°C (175°F) to avoid bitterness.

14. Strawberry Coconut Refresher

A pink, fruity drink with creamy coconut. No coffee, perfect for hot days.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• ½ cup white grape juice
• ½ cup coconut milk
• ¼ cup chopped strawberries
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Mash the strawberries with the sugar in a glass.
2. Add ice, then the grape juice.
3. Slowly pour in the coconut milk and stir gently.

Tip: Freeze-dried strawberries on top look pretty and add flavor.

15. Mango Pineapple Refresher

Sweet tropical fruit over ice. Bright, cold and no coffee needed.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• ½ cup pineapple juice
• ½ cup mango juice
• ¼ cup diced mango
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Add the diced mango to a tall glass.
2. Pour in the pineapple juice, mango juice and lime juice.
3. Add the ice and stir.

Tip: Frozen mango chunks work well and keep the drink cold.

Blended Drinks

16. Java Chip Frappe

Coffee, chocolate and chocolate chips blended until thick and frosty.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 1 cup strong chilled coffee
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 1 tbsp chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1½ cups ice
• Whipped cream and chocolate drizzle

Instructions

1. Add the coffee, milk, syrup, chips, sugar and ice to a blender.
2. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until thick.
3. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.

Tip: Pulse the chips at the end if you want bigger chocolate pieces.

17. Toffee Crunch Frappe

Buttery toffee and crunchy bits in a creamy blended coffee.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 1 cup strong chilled coffee
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp toffee or caramel sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1½ cups ice
• Whipped cream and crushed toffee bits

Instructions

1. Add the coffee, milk, sauce, sugar and ice to a blender.
2. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until thick.
3. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and toffee bits.

Tip: Crush a toffee candy bar if you cannot find toffee bits.

18. Frozen Peach Lemonade

A cold peach slush with lemon. Sweet, tangy and very refreshing.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)

• 1 cup frozen peach slices
• ½ cup lemonade
• ½ cup ice
• 1 tbsp honey
• Lemon slice

Instructions

1. Add the peaches, lemonade, ice and honey to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and slushy.
3. Pour into a glass and add a lemon slice.

Tip: Add a little more lemonade if the slush is too thick.

Common Questions

Do I need an espresso machine?

No. Use ½ cup of very strong brewed coffee, a moka pot, or 2 tsp instant espresso powder dissolved in ¼ cup hot water for each drink.

Which drinks have no coffee?

The chai tea latte, hot chocolate, strawberry coconut refresher, mango pineapple refresher and frozen peach lemonade are all coffee-free. The iced matcha latte has a little caffeine from the tea.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes. Swap the milk for oat, almond or coconut milk and use dairy-free whipped topping.

Can I make the iced drinks hot?

Most of them, yes. Warm the milk, skip the ice and mix the flavor into the espresso the same way.

Can I make syrups at home?

Yes. Simmer equal parts sugar and water until dissolved, then add vanilla, cinnamon or lavender and let it cool.

Final Thoughts

With a little coffee, milk and a spoonful of flavor, you can make all 18 of these drinks at home. Start with the one you order most, then work your way down the list. Save this post for later, and tell us in the comments which one you made first!