When I was growing up, my parents didn't let me drink coffee. My grandparents would allow me to have a cup when I visited their house, although it was probably mostly cream. I remember feeling so grown up while sipping from my piping hot mug.
As a teenager growing up in my small southern hometown, going to the coffee shop was a huge rite of passage. We had one coffee shop called the Magic Bean that was frequented by older teens and college kids. Of course, my parents forbid me to go there. So it wasn't until a more family-friendly coffee shop called Poet's opened up that I was able to experience the magic of coffee house coffee.
It wasn't until after I married my husband that I started drinking coffee every day. I always enjoyed the taste of it, but never got the process of brewing it quite down pat. Since I now have someone who makes it very well, I drink at least a cup or two each morning.
I love to entertain, but am always looking for unique ways to do it. And this is what got me thinking about how fun it would be to throw a DIY coffee party. It could be in conjunction with a book club meeting or other gathering, or you could just do a coffee party for coffee's sake. Either way, it's a simple and fun way to get together with friends and enjoy something we all love.
How to Host a DIY Coffee Party
To throw your own coffee shop party at home, you'll need coffee and coffee accouterments.
First, you might want to decide if you are going to serve hot or iced coffee drinks. Serving iced coffee might be easier since you can make more coffee ahead of time. Otherwise, you might be limited to one pot of coffee at a time. Unless you have a big industrial coffee brewing set-up, and then we're all coming to your house.
Whether you like French press or drip, or even cold brew, you can host a coffee party that suits your taste.
If you haven't tried cold brew, here's a great recipe.
Once you've decided what coffee mix-ins you want to include, just set them up in a self-serve station so your guests can help themselves.
Some possible coffee extras you might want to serve are:
- Assorted flavored syrups (store-bought or make your own)
- Sweeteners (various types of sugar, honey, agave, etc)
- Different creamers (half & half, almond milk, whipping cream, and my personal favorite - sweetened condensed milk)
- Cinnamon (or cinnamon sticks), Nutmeg or Pumpkin Pie Spice
Then let everyone go to town mixing and making all sorts of delicious creations. It might help if you provide some recipe inspiration, or make suggestions about different combinations to try. For inspiration, check out these 17 different coffee shop drinks you make at home.
One of my favorite coffee drinks is an authentic Italian treat, the Shakerato. I first heard of this delicious concoction while reading a magazine interview of Donatella Versace. She referenced it and said this was her favorite summer drink. I was intrigued and tried to recreate it based on her description, but finally found a great recipe online.
To make a Shakerato, all you need is:
To make a Shakerato, all you need is:
- Brewed espresso
- Sugar
- Ice
Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker (or as I've used in a pinch, a Nalgene water bottle or some other jar with a secure lid). Shake it all up til you get some good foam. Pour into a stemmed glass and enjoy!
For a great favor to give your coffee party guests, why not give them each a small jar of homemade coffee scrub? It's simple to make and has 4 basic, all natural ingredients.
Simple 4-Ingredient Coffee Scrub
I've tried making a coffee scrub before, but this one is even easier than the recipe I used previously.
It only requires 4 simple, natural ingredients. I love it when I can make something that doesn't contain a bunch of stuff I can't pronounce.
To make this simple coffee scrub, you'll need:
- Coffee (finely ground)
- Coconut oil
- Coconut sugar (or another coarse sugar)
- Cinnamon
Each of these ingredients has great healing properties....from the antioxidants in coffee that fight free radicals to the mineral rich coconut oil, which soothes and moisturizes. Coconut sugar is grainier than granulated sugar, but you could use any sugar you like or happen to have on hand. Sugar in the Raw is another good option, although it might be too coarse if you want to use this scrub on your face. Did you know cinnamon has bacteria-fighting properties?
Mix the dry ingredients together and then slowly incorporate the coconut oil. If the oil is in a liquid state, you run the risk of your sugar dissolving in it. You can also add more or less oil depending on your skin type.
Recipe via.
