It’s already mid-autumn: the weather is rapidly deteriorating, it’s getting cold, immunity and good mood are falling. But it is not terrible, because in your favorite hot drinks, for example, in coffee, you can add different spices that will not leave you indifferent. So pull out your favorite cozy sweater and the ingredients for the recipe you like. These, by the way, were helped by the guys from the Costa Coffee team. Now the brand has blends for home preparation of the invigorating drink.
Spicy coffee
- 50 g. freshly ground coffee;
- 2 tsp. ground cardamom ;
- 3 tbsp. finely chopped ginger;
- 200 ml. (1 tbsp.) milk;
- 1 and 1/2 tsp. sugar;
- 4 tbsp. cream;
- 25 g. grated chocolate.
For spiced coffee beans of any roast are suitable – you can choose. If you want a milder flavor – pay attention to arabica of medium or mild roasting, it is well suited primarily for drinks with milk. If you still want a stronger drink, look for dark roasted Arabica or a blend of Arabica and Robusta with a medium or dark roast.
Mix coffee, 1 and 1/2 tsp cardamom powder and ginger. Boil the mixture with 1 liter of water. In the meantime, add the sugar to the milk and heat until boiling. Then pour the hot coffee into the milk. Whisk cream and 1/2 tsp of cardamom powder, you can add it directly into the finished coffee or put it on top by sprinkling dark chocolate.
Indian coffee
- 200 ml water;
- 600 ml milk;
- 2 tsp. coffee spice blend;
- 2 tbsp. instant coffee;
- sugar to taste;
- 1 tsp of chocolate powder for sprinkling on top (optional).
For the spice mixture, you will need:
- 4 cloves;
- 1 black cardamom;
- 2 grains of green cardamom;
- 1 inch cinnamon stick;
- 4 balls of black pepper.
The spices should be ground together to add to the coffee later.
Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add the water, milk and ground spices to the saucepan. Stir occasionally and allow the milk to come to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a mug, add the coffee, sugar and 1 tsp of milk. Whisk well until everything turns into foam. Remove the milk container from the heat and add the whipped coffee to the pot. Mix everything well and strain the “milk” coffee through a fine strainer. Pour the coffee into cups and sprinkle chocolate powder on top.
Iced coffee
- 25 g. instant coffee;
- 3 cm. fresh ginger;
- 1 stick of cinnamon 7 cc;
- 5 cloves;
- 1.25 liters of boiling water;
- 250 ml. condensed milk with sugar;
- ice;
- 125 ml Kahlua liqueur (optional).
Place the coffee, ginger, cinnamon stick and cloves in a large heatproof pitcher. Pour in the water. When completely cool, strain the coffee mixture through a fine sieve into another container. Any spices left in the sieve can be discarded. Add the condensed milk to the coffee and stir. Put ice in a serving bowl, then you can pour the coffee. If desired, add Kahlua liqueur at the end.
Moroccan Coffee
- 1/2 tbsp. coffee beans;
- 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon;
- 2 cloves;
- 3 green cardamom seeds;
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg;
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger;
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper.
For real Moroccan coffee, choose strong varieties, roasting is medium to dark. Blends of Arabica and Robusta, slow roasted to give a velvety flavor with nutty notes and a bright aroma, such as Costa Coffee’s Signature Medium Roast blend, are a good choice.
Place all ingredients in a coffee grinder and blend. Spiced coffee is best drunk immediately. Use one to two tablespoons of ground spiced coffee per serving. Ground spices can clog the filter basket in electric coffee makers, so it’s best to brew your coffee in a turbo or some other convenient method. Serve coffee with spices and hot milk.
Winter coffee
- 1/2 tbsp. heavy cream;
- 1/4 tbsp. coffee beans;
- 10 green cardamom seeds;
- 2 anise stars;
- 500 ml. (2.5 tbsp.) water;
- 1/3 tbsp. powdered sugar;
- 1/2 tbsp. Kahlua;
- 1/3 cup brown sugar;
- 1 tbsp. sweetened cocoa;
- 1 tsp. cinnamon powder.
In winter, many people lack vigor and energy, so strong coffee is a successful way to recharge. But what to do if strong varieties are too bitter? Choose coffee beans grown in Colombia. They can undergo intense roasting and not become very bitter.
Chill the whipping cream, as well as the bowl in which you will be cooking and the mixer attachment. Mix the coffee beans, cardamom, star anise and half a liter of water in a 1-liter saucepan. Cook over very low heat until the liquid has reduced by half. Meanwhile, whip the cream with the wire whisk attachment of a mixer on medium to high speed for 1.5 minutes. Add the sugar and beat for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Sift the coffee to remove the solids. Mix with Kahlua and brown sugar. Pour cream over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon cocoa.
Did you know that studies have shown that cinnamon prevents the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease? And that cardamom heals the liver? Maybe you’ve heard that our familiar black pepper lowers cholesterol? Even in small quantities, spices can support your health. So feel free to add them to your coffee to get a boost of not only energy, but also the beneficial properties of spices that will help your body cope with the cold of the coming winter.