Coffee

Gourmet coffee is good, gourmet coffee drinks are fabulous. Using your own gourmet flavored coffee or espresso as a base you can make those tasty treats at home and save yourself a lot of money while impressing your friends at the same time. Gourmet coffee drinks can vary from lattes and cappuccinos to exotic ice cream drinks. There are also alcohol drinks that feature coffee which can be very relaxing after a stressful day at the office.

Gourmet Coffee Recipes

Chocolate Cappuccino: For the chocoholic who loves their coffee this satisfies both desires.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vanilla syrup
• 4-6 oz. Chocolate Milk or Chocolate Soy Milk if lactose intolerant
• 4 oz. Espresso or Very Strong Coffee – can use gourmet chocolate flavored coffee if desired
• Chocolate Shavings
• Whipped Cream

Directions

1. First pour the vanilla syrup into a cappuccino mug.
2. Now add your fresh brewed espresso or coffee to the vanilla syrup and blend the two ingredients together.
3. Next, steam your chocolate milk to 160 degrees F. (Use a candy thermometer to test the milk).
4. Add to the coffee mixture.
5. Top with a dollop of whip cream and chocolate shavings.

Variation: For a relaxing after dinner drink, add a 2 oz. Shot of Godiva Chocolate Liqueur or other chocolate liqueur.

Iced Latte with Flavor Variations: The traditional latte served up cold and creamy for those hot sultry days when you need a boost.

Ingredients

• 2-4 oz. Espresso or Strong Coffee
• 4-6 oz. Milk
• Ice Cubes
• Flavorings as desired (see variations)

Directions

1. Pour the espresso and milk into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice cubes and shake until well chilled. For variations use one of the following flavors. Note: For frozen latte, use a blender instead of cocktail shaker.

Variations: Add any one of the following flavorings to the blender or cocktail shaker. *Coffee syrups available in coffee section of grocer or at coffee shops.

2 oz Vanilla Syrup

2 oz. Chocolate Syrup

2 oz. Hazelnut Syrup

Iced Mint Mocha: This is a wonderful coffee drink for those hot summer days. For a spirited version you can add a liqueur such as Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Ingredients

• Ice
• 1 oz. of mint chocolate coffee syrup
• 2 scoops of mint choc chip ice cream
• 2-4 oz. espresso shots or strong coffee
• Cold milk
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings/sprinkles

Directions

1. Place ice in blender, add mint chocolate chip ice cream and mint chocolate syrup.
2. Pour in milk based on how thick you want the drink to be.
3. Blend to desired consistency.
4. Top with whip cream, chocolate shavings or sprinkles.

Fall Cappuccino: This coffee drink with a touch of cinnamon and cloves invokes those autumn nights when there is just a hint of chill in the air.

Ingredients

• 4-6 Whole cloves
• 1 Cinnamon Sticks
• 4-6 Whole Green Cardoman
• 3 tsp. Brown Sugar
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate Shavings and Ground Cinnamon
• 2-4 oz. Espresso
• 4-6 oz. Steamed Milk

Directions

1. Add 2 cups water to small saucepan.
2. Add all spices to the water and heat to boiling.
3. Allow to boil for 3-4 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, steam 4-6 oz. of milk to 160 degrees F.
5. Pour the espresso into a cappuccino mug, add the spice mixture and stir well. Top with the steamed milk. Decorate with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and sprinkled cinnamon.

Variations: For more of a coffee drink, you can replace the espresso and steamed milk with 6-8 oz. of strong coffee.

For an adult beverage, add 2 oz. of your favorite brandy

Gourmet coffee drinks can be made without just about any flavorings you can imagine. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Using coffee syrups available online and at your local coffee shop combined with flavorings and spices in your kitchen you can serve up an array of gourmet drinks that would rival even the fanciest of coffee shops.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides information on gourmet coffee drinks for Gourmet Coffee Guide – your number one online resource for gourmet coffee!

Author: Sharon V Chapman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canadian crossborder shopping

There is nothing that beats a good gormet flavored coffee bean. Gourmet flavored coffee beans are specially created for the coffee drinker and connoisseur. Of course, the process is unique to the gourmet coffee experience from the get go. Flavors are extremely versatile. You can get vanilla, chocolate, mint, chocolate mint, and so many others I could never name them all. That is because someone is always creating brand, new flavors!

Coffee manufacturers know what you and I like. They make a profit knowing what to bring to us. They are people pleasers; they want your business. Gormet flavored coffee allows coffee manufacturers and retailers to reach their target audience: you and me. Each manufacturer has a special process that allows them to bring you your every desire. Then they make flavors you never imagined. Yet, when you taste and smell the new flavor, you wonder where it has been your whole life. Mmm, mmm, good!

Coffee retailers often roast, flavor, then package there own gormet flavored coffee. By adding their own label, they keep your attention. They make you and I loyal coffee drinkers. Often, coffee retailers create a unique coffee flavor and name to get your attention and keep it. Does it work? If it didn’t work, they wouldn’t keep doing it!

Gormet coffee drinkers expect only the best. Coffee connoisseurs expect their tastes and styles to be catered too. Of course, coffee retailers are more than willing to give us what we want. In addition, it is plain fun to create such flavorful examples of artist coffee. Yes, gormet flavored coffee is an artistic form of self exploration. A lot can be discovered by taking notice of the type of gourmet coffee someone drinks and prefers. Are you a decaf or regular? Whole coffee bean or coffee ground? Flavored or non-flavored? Gourmet or non-gourmet? The choices are endless. Some people like a regular coffee of Java; others, like me, enjoy a gourmet flavored coffee: buttered rum is my choice.

Whatever flavor you prefer, there is a gormet flavored coffee for you. Maybe you aren’t sure which flavored coffee you prefer. Then you get the fun of tasting all sorts of flavors and smelling all sorts of unique aromas in the search of finding the perfect gourmet coffee for you. Of course, why stop at just one? Keep going and find two, three, four or more! The possibilities never end.

The true gourmet coffee connoisseur goes one step further: they create their own flavored coffee! Yes, you too can be a coffee connoisseur. Buy green coffee beans at a discount; buy an inexpensive coffee roaster; a coffee grinder. Viola! You have the ability to create your own gourmet flavored coffee. The true coffee connoisseur enjoys only the best gourmet coffee created by his or her own hands.

My suggestion to you: trial and error. Through trial and error you choose a gourmet coffee flavor just for you. If all else fails, create you own mixture! For you, the coffee drinker, nothing is too good. The coffee retailers and coffee manufacturers believe that, so should you. Discover what is truly you, and what is truly not. Try drinking many types and flavors. Maybe you will be surprised by what suits your tastes. Whatever your choice, be sure to enjoy your decision.

Tana has been an avid coffee and tea drinker her whole life. She has tried more than 100 different varieties of coffee and tea. At her site, Tana reveals to you her delicious secret blends of coffee and tea that she has experienced through her years. To learn more about premium gourmet coffee visit http://www.thelittleteahouse.com.

Author: Tana Ticer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty