Calling all coffee connoisseurs! Nothing is quite as satisfying as enjoying those first few sips of a piping hot cup of coffee in the morning. But that daily coffee stop at that corner cafe can really add up over time.

I’m not saying skip the small things in life that bring you joy. Whether you budget for freshly brewed cups of coffee or a manicure, please go and enjoy the little things you love. But if one of your goals this year is to improve your finances and maybe save a buck or two, then consider being your very own at-home barista. 

In order to become a barista at home, we asked the experts for some of their best tips. Here’s what they had to say.

How to become a barista at home

1. Add collagen

Many organic cafes, coffeehouses, and marketplaces offer a smattering of wellness coffees that include supercharged ingredients that are good for you. Think of things like collagen. 

You may already be adding collagen to your chia pudding, overnight oats, and smoothies — but if you want to recreate your favorite barista coffee at home, you can also add a scoop or two of collagen. Try GOODONYA, made from 100% grass-fed collagen peptides.

2. Have options

Another reason coffee cafes can feel so special is that there’s more than one coffee option to choose from. Why not replicate this diversity to create your very own barista coffee at home?

One simple way to do this is by stocking up on a variety of coffee ingredients that can be used to make a bevy of beverages like hot chocolate, an iced coffee, a latte, a matcha, or a mocha. Have at least one or two other options on hand so you can be prepared for any impromptu coffee cravings. Plus, your beverage cabinet will feel even more complete. 

You may even keep some on-the-go options on hand like canned coffee from Taika or Plantee sticks when you are an at-home barista who has a lot on their daily to-do list.

3. Include a natural sweetener

If you like your coffee with a splash of something sweet, include a spoonful of honey. If you really feel like getting fancy, use Manuka honey, which is made by bees that collect nectar from the flowers of the Manuka bush in New Zealand.

Manuka honey also contains antimicrobial properties. Although all kinds of honey contain antimicrobial properties, Manuka honey is the only honey that contains non-peroxide activity, which has greater antibacterial power and results in a nutritional profile greater than its generic honey counterparts. Plus, it can even be used in an herbal first aid kit.

Need some brand recommendations? Try New Zealand Honey Co. or Wedderspoon. I also really like B. Powered Superfood Honey from BeeKeeper’s Naturals.

4. Invest in high-quality coffee gadgets

Another way to be an at-home barista or become a barista at home is to invest in some classy coffee countertop gadgets like coffee kettles from Brewista, an espresso machine, or a French press. Any coffee accessory you need to whip up your favorite barista coffee at home is something you may want to invest in for all of those designer coffees, espresso shots, and handcrafted lattes.

5. Opt for a quality coffee

One of the main reasons why you may go to a coffee cafe in the first place is because they offer high-quality coffee. Well, why not skip the overpriced corner coffeehouses and go directly to the coffee brands themselves? Some of my favorite high-quality coffees include Angelino’s, Bean & Bean, Bub‘s Naturals, Copper Cow, and Happy Day.

6. Order up a baked good

Another luxury that comes with coffee-to-go is a side of a delicious baked good. Be sure to stock your kitchen cabinets with some more mindful bakery goodies that pair perfectly with your barista coffee at home. Brands like Nonni’s, Legally Addictive Cookies, Partake Foods, and The Greater Good Foods are all delicious options. 

Cookie Monster tip: One of my favorite cookie brands is Sweet Loren’s cookies. They literally have every cookie flavor you could want, including chocolate chunk, oatmeal cranberry, and sugar. They even have a fudgy brownie and offer low-sugar options. Oh, and did I mention you can eat the dough? (I probably could have just opened with that right there.)

If sweet treats in the morning aren’t your thing, you could always opt for an upgraded version of all those cereal brands you enjoyed as a kid. Magic Spoon or Three Wishes, anyone?
Spoons up!

7. Spice it up

If you’re looking for an easy way to spice up that afternoon cup of Joe, add a splash of rum to it, like Papa’s Pilar Blonde Rum. (Now you’re drinking, I mean speaking, my language!) If you didn’t think coffee and rum could go together, well then let me tell you, they totally can. Hey, if Food & Wine says it can be done, then it can totally be done. I’ll say cheers to that. Sip, sip, hooray!

8. Stir in a super concentrate

Whether you’re already an at-home barista or want to become a barista at home, one thing’s the same: you may be super pressed for time. Luckily, you can still craft the perfect barista coffee at home in seconds with a Pop & Bottle Super Concentrate. 

Keep it classy with a classic flavor, mix in some mocha, or vibe it up with vanilla. No matter what you choose, this little bottle works hard so you don’t have to. Whether you take your coffee black, creamy, hot, iced, or pure, Super Concentrate lets you enjoy coffee your way in one simple step — no machines needed. Being an at-home barista has never been so simple!

9. Use a milk frother

Plain black coffee is heavenly all on its own, but if you want to make your barista coffee at home experience way more luxurious, then consider a milk frother.

Megan, recipe developer and food blogger over at Coffee Copycat, says a good quality milk frother makes whipping up cold foam and mixing in sweeteners incredibly easy.

Whether you enjoy plant-based milk you make at home, like this DIY oat milk, or you prefer to purchase some options, like So Delicious Dairy Free Organic Oatmilk, using a milk frother will add a bubbly and fun texture to pour into your morning mug of coffee.

Be your own at-home barista

Become a barista at home with these nine nifty ideas. Who knows, barista coffee at home may be just as good if not even better than your favorite corner coffee cafe. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you.