Add a new coffee to your list of resolutions this new year
For most of us, coffee making is a ritual - a sequence of steps that we have perfected to ensure our coffee is prepared just the way we like it.
But with the New Year well and truly upon us, we thought we’d give you a little inspiration to change things up and try something different. You may discover a whole new way of enjoying your coffee that becomes a staple, or you may simply enjoy it once and then go back to what you love.
Either way, a change is as good as a holiday - and with the holidays almost over, here are a few coffee trends for you to try.
A change of flavour
A great place to start and an easy one to try when you’re out and about because cafes everywhere have embraced variety. Changing your milk choice is one option. Almond milk gives the coffee a lovely, nutty flavour, while oat milk is rich and creamy. Alternatively, you could try a syrup such as vanilla, hazelnut, caramel or even lavender. These add sweetness as well as an additional layer of flavour so it’s win/win.
A Miel
Great for those who like their coffee sweet, this is a latte that is mixed with honey and has cinnamon sprinkled on top. A lovely amount of sweet and spice that come with some added health benefits: honey replaces the need for processed sugar and cinnamon has loads of benefits including being antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antifungal!
A Nitro Cold Brew
You guessed it – a coffee made with a shot of nitro gas.
But don’t be alarmed. Nitrogen gas has been used in beverages for hundreds of years. It’s the same thing you’ll find in some of your favourite beers. The gas is safe to drink and an alternative to carbon dioxide.
Nitrogen boosts the flavour of the coffee and makes it creamy and sweet, and because cold brew is slowly steeped in cold water, it pulls less of the acidity out of the coffee bean. This makes a rich, ultra-caffeinated brew that’s gentler on the stomach.
Espresso tonics
If it’s too early in the day to break out the gin or vodka, give this one a go. A shot of espresso poured into a glass of iced tonic water. Espresso lends itself to mixing in a way that other coffees don’t and mixing it with tonic water provides an exceptional balance of acidity, sweetness and bitterness.
Coffee cocktails
Since it is the festive season, we thought we should throw in a few ideas that are a little more naughty than nice. Coffee cocktail recipes are plentiful and come from all over the world:
The Mexican is tequila and coffee liqueur blended together with freshly brewed coffee for a boldly flavoured cocktail.
The Jamaican mixes dark rum and coffee flavoured liqueur together with whipped cream on top. This one makes a great dessert.
The Irish is known around the world – whisky added to a hot coffee. It’s a classic for a reason.
Last but not least, the Espresso Martini. We must admit, this one is our favourite. Our friends at Cambrian Hill and Kilderkin Distillery created a fresh coffee flavoured cocktail with subtle hints of cocoa, made with our award-winning coffee blend. It’s a hand-crafted, ready to drink cocktail experience – just shake, serve chilled, and enjoy. This can be ordered directly from Kilderkin or locate a stockist near you.
Let us know how you go sampling new styles of coffee and if you happen to discover something fantastic, be sure to tell us about it.
If you’d like advice on brewing, grinds, devices or choosing the right coffee bean for you at home or your workplace, drop us a line. We love to talk all things coffee.
Happy caffeinating and Happy New Year!