Practicing self-isolation during these times is a small price to pay for the good of humanity. However, there are many simple pleasures that people have started to miss as a result. One of the things that many people are missing is their Starbucks coffee drinks.

By no means are fancy drinks a necessity, and most people have already given them up without a second thought, but these simple pleasures have the power of bringing a little more joy to an otherwise dark and tense time.
Luckily, there is no need to rush out to the Starbucks drive-thru to fuel you through your next Zoom lecture. As many of us continue to stay safe indoors, it’s time to start getting creative. Using ingredients from home, you can recreate some of your favorite drinks without ever stepping outside. 

Having been a barista at Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee for over 13 years, Danielle Simpson (senior, Psychology) is the perfect person to teach us how to hone our coffee making skills. 

Simpson explains that the perfect cup of coffee starts with the quality of your ingredients. Before adding any syrups, creams or spices, you have to consider the basics. Getting a Starbucks-quality cup of joe starts with the water and the coffee grounds.

“So often, people don’t think about the quality of the water they put into their coffee, or how they store their coffee after getting the perfect grind on it,” explained Simpson. Instead, Simpson says that we should be using filtered water and freshly ground coffee beans. 

According to Simpson, coffee grounds stay fresh for only up to seven days, so only grind a small amount and be sure to store them in an airtight container. When you grind the beans, it’s also important to take into consideration the way that you’ll be making your coffee. 

Check your coffee pot for the suggested grind setting. As a rule of thumb, Simpson explains that “for press pots, use the coarsest grind setting so the grounds don’t seep through, and set a timer for three minutes. For espresso, use a finer setting, so as the pressure of the water matches the coffee to saturate each ground.”

After you’ve mastered your basic coffee making method, it’s time to start adding the flavors. There are many ways to add flavors to your coffee. If you prefer a healthier and more natural approach, honey, maple syrup and agave are great options. In addition to the syrup, just add any of your favorite spices. 

For a pumpkin spice flavor, use pumpkin pie seasoning. Another popular spice for coffee is cinnamon.

If you prefer a sweeter drink, Torani syrups are great for mimicking coffee shop drinks. These syrups can be ordered in a variety of flavors on Amazon. 

Simpson adds that the amount of flavoring that you choose to put in your drink really just depends on personal preference. However, she says that that some popular Starbuck drinks have basic recipes with varying amounts of ingredients depending on the serving size. “Starbucks tall has one shot [of espresso] and three pumps [of syrup]. Grande has two shots to four pumps, venti has two shots to five pumps.” 

Rolen Spears (freshman, Communication Studies) especially misses his order of an upside down iced caramel macchiato. Simpson describes the process used to make this drink. 

First, add vanilla syrup into the bottom of your cup followed by some milk. If you want your drink iced, now is the time to add that. Next, pour your espresso into the milk. Finally, add caramel syrup in a crosshatch pattern on top. Simpson explains that “upside down” simply means that the shots come before the milk. 

Another member of the Stan State community who enjoys her iced drinks is Megan Cordeiro, a staff member who works in Naraghi Hall. Her favorite drink is iced coffee with vanilla syrup and cream. 

This can be made simply by adding cream and vanilla syrup to strongly brewed coffee on ice. It’s as easy as that!

However, when making iced coffee drinks, we have to consider how the ice will melt and affect the flavor. It’s best to use cubes, as crushed ice will water down your drink a lot more. “You also want to make double strength coffee because the water from the ice melts and waters it down,” says Simpson.  

Another way to avoid watery iced drinks is to make coffee cubes, “Just use leftover coffee in an ice cube maker and put it in the freezer,” explains Simpson.

Olivia Blea (senior, Sociology) is a self proclaimed coffee enthusiast who especially loves lattes. Simpson explains that “a latte is just espresso and steamed milk with foam in that order.” She says that flavors can then be added to improve the taste. 

While we may not have all of the tools or ingredients to make a cup of coffee exactly like the ones that we miss from our pre-quarantined lives, there are still many ways to get creative and make a sweet pick-me-up. 

Whatever simple pleasure you’re missing, try to think about how you can replicate them at home. Miss the gym? Do a home workout. Miss coffee shops? Set up a cute corner at your table with your homework and one of these fun coffee recipes! 

It’s important to find ways to make life at home a little more fun so that we can successfully keep ourselves from spreading this rampant virus. Whatever you need to do to stay happy and entertained while at home is well worth your time.