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Starter Guide for the Stay-At-Home Barista ☕️😍 (Tips & Recipes Included)
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items One day I'll have a custom La Marzocco espresso machine in my kitchen. But until then ... 👇 This is my go to list. Signed, Barista of 5+ years.
Sections
5
The (Bare & Absolute) Basics
Syrups 🍯 (w/ recipes)
Matcha 🍵🌱
Tea 🫖💧
Little Touches (My Personal Stash)
The (Bare & Absolute) Basics
I'm a certified coffee snob, but when I want a sweet treat at home, Nescafe Gold does a STAND UP job at providing decent flavor at an affordable price. ☕️ The Blonde roast is velvety smooth, while the Intense roast really comes at you with the full b...
Nescafe Gold Blonde Espresso Roast Instant Coffee - 3.5oz
I swear on my life- this is a must! If you don't have a kitchen scale, please buy a cheap one. ✋️ Nothing fancy. A $15 scale will be sensitive enough to measure grams, and it will come into handy for those oddball recipes that insist on you weighing ...
Mainstays 6LB High Precision Digital Kitchen Scale with Blue Backlit, Black
One word: COLDFOAM. This one is $6 and it will be so handy for mixing stubborn syrups, clumpy protein powders, and whipping up that deliciously fluffy vanilla coldfoam.🍦 While I do NOT recommend this for the purpose of frothing hot milk (you won't g...
Mainstays Milk Frother, Battery-Powered Handheld Milk Frother Wand
A budget friendly electric tea kettle 🫖 While not a non negotiable, a quick way to heat water saves you the pains of stirring stubborn, thick syrups into your espresso.
Mainstays 1.7L Electric Kettle with Auto Shut-Off, White
Hot and frothy milk in less than a minute? Look no further. While this won't give you the microfoam (or latte art) that a high-end steam wand can, you can still have the comfort of a smooth, warm bevvy. (This is an Amazon affiliate link).
Breville Milk Café Frother
Syrups 🍯 (w/ recipes)
A general rule for syrups: 1 pump = About 8-10 grams. For a small drink (12 ounces) I use 2 pumps or 25-30 grams of syrup. A medium (16 ounces) is 3 pumps or 35-40 grams. A large (20-26 ounces) is closer to 5-6 pumps or 50-60 grams of syrup. This is ...
Vanilla for your lattes, coldfoam, hot chocolates, Starbies style caramel macchiatos ... say less!
Monin Vanilla Syrup
A classic caramel syrup 🍮 I usually suggest Monin syrups because I've been super disappointed in the flavor of some cheaper options, such as Torani.
Monin Caramel Syrup
The toasted marshmallow syrup is so scrumptious. I love to do a little of this with a little caramel or white chocolate sauce 😋
Monin Toasted Marshmallow Syrup
Coconut
Monin Coconut Syrup
Sea Salt Caramel (Earl Grey Infused) Latte? This is the sauce you want. (This is an Amazon affiliate link).
GHIRARDELLI Sea Salt Caramel Sauce
Bring back your "TikTok drink" era with a white chocolate mocha. (This is an Amazon affiliate link).
Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sauce Squeeze
Here's a nice variety bundle, spoon included. (This is an Amazon affiliate link).
Ghirardelli Caramel & Sea Salt Sauce 16oz x4
Note the descriptor: sauce. This will be thicker and smoother than a classic thin syrup, making it my personal preference to use in my caramel lattes. This is also an ideal caramel to use for drizzling the cup (though you may prefer to transfer some ...
Monin Caramel Sauce
Caramel sauce on CRACK. We replaced the salted caramel syrup with this at our shop and never went back.
Monin Sea Salt Caramel Toffee Sauce
White chocolate mochas? 😍 (Remember the viral TikTok drink ... iced white mocha w/ caramel drizzle and vanilla coldfoam?) The search ends here.
Monin White Chocolate Sauce
Don't let "dark chocolate" scare you. 🍫 This is exactly what you want for a homemade hot chocolate or classic mocha latte.
Monin Dark Chocolate Sauce
Matcha 🍵🌱
This is the exact set I use and I love it. 🌱 Feel free to browse the internet for other colors and options, but it's important to note that you want a ceramic bowl! You won't get the same consistency from your matcha if you whisk it in a plastic con...
4Pcs Matcha Whisk Set - Ceramic Matcha Bowl, Matcha Whisk Holder, Bamboo Matcha Whisk and Bamboo Scoop
Rishi brand is my personal favorite, but buyers be warned, this one is a pretty penny compared to the rest. 🌱 I usually get a bag for Christmas, and then consider buying a second during the summertime when my supply runs out, but that's with intermi...
Rishi Matcha Powder
A cheaper (PRE-sweetened) option if you're worried a classic matcha will be too “grassy” for you! We've all been there. (This is an Amazon affiliate link).
Jade Leaf Matcha
Tea 🫖💧
Harney & Sons is a beautifully flavored line of teas that won't break the budget. I adore keeping the tins afterwards for a craft or lovely little container.
A jasmine tea will forever reign as my top tea recommendation. It's delicate- be careful not to oversteep. (This is an Amazon affliate link).
Harney & Sons Dragon Pearl Jasmine Tea, 20 Count
Earl Grey infused milk … 2 tea satchets per cup of milk. Steep in the fridge for 10-12 hours (or overnight).
Harney & Sons Earl Grey Black Tea with Bergamot Sachets - 20ct
So bright and floral.
Harney & Sons Cherry Blossom Green Tea Sachets - 20ct
This decaf Vanilla Comoro tea is the coziest drink to make when unwinding for the evening, and you get to keep the prettiest tins when you're finished.
Harney & Sons Vanilla Comoro Decaffeinated Black Tea, 20 Pyramid Tea Bags (Sachets)
A spiced, citrus profile.
Harney & Sons African Autumn Tea Sachets - Decaf - 20ct
A very vibrant mint tea.
Harney & Sons Peppermint Herbal Tea Sachets - 20ct
Recipe idea: matcha latte WITH strawberry milkshake tea infused milk. (This is an Amazon affiliate link).
Harney & Sons Strawberry Milkshake Tea - 30 Sachets
Why be forced to choose? I love these sampler packs for hosting. (This is an Amazon affiliate link).
Harney & Sons Assorted Tea Bag Sampler Bundle
A budget friendly electric tea kettle 🫖
Mainstays 1.7L Electric Kettle with Auto Shut-Off, White
This happy, lemon yellow kettle is such a bright addition to your stove top. 🍋 There are more colors available as well-- browse away!
Whistling Stovetop Tea Kettle with Wood Pattern
Little Touches (My Personal Stash)
I'm a “reduce & reuse” girlie, but these are so nice to have when you're hosting or want to gift someone with a “take out” latte from your very own kitchen. Bonus points if you write them a sweet message with sharpie on it!
Ziliny Plastic PET Cups (16 oz)
And a straw lid option, as well.
Ziliny Plastic Cups with Lids & Straws
I love my Vital Proteins collagen support. It blends into my iced matcha lattes so well.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement for Hair, Skin and Nails, Unflavored Collagen Support, 10 oz
My apricot chubby mug is sitting proudly on my computer desk, always ready for a hot, morning beverage. ☕️ The chubby mug also comes in light purple, green, and pink! 💜💚💗
Chubby Mug Saucer Set - Milky Apricot
It's so easy to add this (alongside my collagen powder) into whatever special bevvy I'm whipping up.
Optimum Nutrition - Micronized Creatine Powder, Unflavored
I love these bottles for packaging up homemade syrups as gifts. (This is an Amazon affiliate link).
12pcs 8oz Plastic Juice Bottles w/ Lids & Labels