Cafe Menus Recipe

Brew coffee

Measure 4 cups of fresh, cold water and heat or use in your drip or pour-over brewer. Use medium-roast ground coffee at a ratio of about 1:15 (approximately 4 tbsp coffee per 1 cup water) to make 4 cups. Brew to produce 4 cups of hot coffee. Keep hot and set aside.

If using pre-brewed coffee, reheat gently to around 160–170°F (71–77°C) — do not boil — and keep covered.

Prepare flavored milk

Pour 2 cups of whole milk into a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup and 2 teaspoons sugar. Warm gently to about 150–160°F (65–71°C), stirring to dissolve the syrup and sugar. Do not boil. Remove from heat.

Make foam (optional)

If you want steamed foam, froth 1 cup cold milk with a hand frother or in a milk steamer until you have 1/2–1 cup of foam. Heat separately or add to warm milk depending on equipment. Reserve foam for topping.

Combine 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon cocoa powder in a small bowl. This mixture can be sprinkled on top of finished drinks or blended into the coffee for a mocha-cinnamon variation. Taste the brewed coffee and add additional sugar (to taste) if desired.

To serve, divide the brewed coffee into four warmed cups (about 1 cup coffee per serving). Pour 1/2 cup of the warmed vanilla milk into each cup, stirring gently to combine.

Spoon or place 2–3 tablespoons of milk foam on top of each cup, if using. Add a dollop (about 2 tablespoons) of whipped cream to each cup for a richer cafe-style treat.

Sprinkle a pinch of the cinnamon-cocoa mixture and a light dusting of chocolate shavings over the whipped cream or foam. Garnish each cup with a fresh mint leaf if desired.

Serve immediately with optional sugar on the side and small spoons for stirring.