CHANNEL YOUR INNER BARISTA

Brew your own ‘masterpiece in a mug’

Whether it’s a simple dedicated counter space or a sophisticated built-in automatic espresso machine, a home coffee bar will inspire your inner barista even on the busiest of mornings. A stylish coffee bar will boost your kitchen’s décor and create a cozy DIY nook for your family to savor yummy, warm drinks on chilly fall days.

The authentic barista
Derived from the Italian word for barkeeper, a barista is an expert coffee maker. Whether by hand or with an espresso machine, the authentic barista typically roasts, grinds and tamps coffee beans into the perfect “puck” into which pressurized hot water is infused and distilled. 

Often dubbed a “latte artist,” the espresso virtuoso then froths steamed milk (or non-dairy alternatives like almond or coconut) and artfully blends it into the espresso along with flavorful syrups, sauces and sweeteners. The resulting libation is a virtual masterpiece in a mug. 

The home barista
With a well-appointed coffee bar, you can channel your inner barista and impress your family with your homemade espresso drinks. Your toolkit might include a coffee grinder; a steam wand and milk frother; and brewing systems like a French Press, Keurig or pour-over device. If counter space is minimal, consider downsizing these into an all-in-one automatic espresso machine.

Espresso at home
Coffee connoisseurs who crave a premium brew at home are fueling the demand for innovative automatic espresso machines that streamline and elevate morning routines. With the touch of a button, you can pull a shot of robust espresso or pour a creamy latte or cappuccino — all through the wondrous alchemy of an automatic espresso machine that integrates a grinder, brewing system, steam wand and milk frother. 

USA Today ranks the Zulay Magia Super Automatic Coffee Espresso machine ($850) as the best all-in-one espresso maker. Food and Wine and Good Housekeeping magazines recommend Breville’s The Barista Express Espresso machine ($750), especially for the beginning barista. 

A built-in espresso machine elegantly streamlines a kitchen since it fits seamlessly into the infrastructure and declutters counter space. Whether plumbed (connected to a water supply) or non-plumbed, a sleek built-in machine will enhance your kitchen’s functionality and style, but it’s an expensive long-term investment. The Spruce recommends Miele CVA 7845 ($6,099) as the best plumbed built-in super automatic espresso machine and Smeg CMS 4303x Coffee System ($3,399) for the non-plumbed variety. 

Designing your coffee bar
With careful planning, your coffee bar will embellish your kitchen’s décor. Create an attractive yet efficient niche to house mugs, storage canisters, sweeteners and other accoutrements. If counter space is tight, go vertical with a cute mug rack or tiered shelving that displays your mug collection. If you want to conceal your coffee machine and amenities, stash them in a cabinet pull-out drawer. A charming coffee-house style chalkboard will tell your family what’s on the morning menu. 

When your family clamors for fall pumpkin spice lattes and cappuccinos, you don’t have to go any further than your kitchen. Thanks to your home coffee bar, you can brew your own after the jack-o-lantern is carved and you’ve got the fixings for a fresh homemade pumpkin puree. 

Coffee talk
AFFOGATO: From the Italian for “drowned,” this term refers to topping a scoop of ice cream or gelato with hot espresso. 

BREWING SYSTEM: There are several at-home and commercial brewing systems, like the Keurig, which allow you to use packaged cups to create a variety of drinks. 

CAFE AU LAIT: From a French coffee often enjoyed at breakfast, this treat is equal parts brewed coffee and hot milk. 

CAPPUCCINO: A cappuccino is made with three equal parts of espresso, steamed milk (or non-dairy) and foam. 

DRIP COFFEE MAKER: An easy-to-use method to brew multiple cups of coffee with the touch of a button. 

ESPRESSO: Originally from Italy, an espresso is prepared by applying pressurized hot water to finely ground coffee beans. 

FRENCH PRESS: A device and brewing method that uses an immersion process to steep coarsely ground coffee in hot water. 

FROTHER: This kitchen tool transforms milk (or non-dairy) into thick and silky foam and microfoam, a delight in coffee and espresso to make café au lait, cappuccinos and lattes. 

LATTE: A latte is an espresso (or chai) suffused with steamed milk (or non-dairy) and topped with a layer of frothed milk. 

MOKA POT: This stove-top or electric coffee maker brews coffee by passing hot water driven by vapor pressure through ground coffee. 

POUR OVER: This manual espresso brewing method involves slowly adding hot water to a bed of ground coffee. 

SYRUPS: Adding syrups and sauces (think maple, caramel, vanilla and pumpkin pie) or sweeteners (think sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin spice) transforms lattes and cappuccinos into sensational seasonal delights. ✦