We have grown into a true coffee loving society. Look around on your next drive through town and make note of the countless coffee houses on just about every street corner and you’ll really grasp the extent of our love of coffee. While there is certainly nothing wrong with starting your day with a nice brew, or fetching a warm cup of tea before bed, there is a problem with spending a good portion of your expendable income supporting your local coffee shop!

If you love all things coffee and would like to enjoy more coffee drinks at home, there is a way. Here we will look at some wonderful coffees you can enjoy, and an unconventional new way of making coffee that is really catching on.

The first step in making stellar coffee drinks at home is to start with fresh coffee brewed just how you like it. This is a task that has been difficult for many people using the conventional coffee maker. It’s not that using a coffee maker is so difficult, it just seems like the way coffee actually comes out of a traditional coffee maker is inconsistent when it comes to flavor.

A few years back, Keurig brewers became popular home appliances. This system of making coffee is done using Keurig k cups. These Kcups are pre-measured, pre-filled cups of coffee grounds. When you pop Kcups into the brewer, you are left with the perfect cup of coffee any time you want. Those who have used this type of machine with Keurig k cups love just how fast their coffee is brewed. No more waiting 5 minutes for piping hot coffee or tea. This machine brews Kcups in just a few seconds. With that, you are well on your way to wowing your friends and family with coffee-house quality drinks right at home.

One of the most popular drinks at any coffee house is the iced coffee. Why should you give up your coffee fetish when the weather warms up? With this iced coffee recipe, you won’t have to. To make iced coffee for you and some friends, start by brewing 4 cups of coffee. Refrigerate the coffee until cool. You can chill glasses for an elegant feel, or just use glasses straight out of the cupboard. Bring ¼ cup of water to boil; stir in ½ tsp vanilla extract and ¼ cup of white sugar until dissolved. Refrigerate this mixture until cool, about 30 minutes. Fill each glass with ice, and pour equal amounts of chilled coffee in each. Stir in cream and sugar mixture, to taste.

For a super easy after dinner coffee treat at your next dinner party, consider adding some coffee flavored liqueur to a full cup of coffee. Just a smidge goes a long way. Top the coffee with a dollop of whipped cream and place a chocolate covered coffee bean on top for a posh garnish.

When you learn how to make just a few of your favorite gourmet coffee drinks at home, you not only open the door to wowing your friends and family; but you can also save yourself a small fortune by eliminating regular visits to the local coffeehouse.

Mark Pickens is a barrista who shares his fascination with coffee through his writing. For more information about Keurig k cups and Kcups, you may follow the links.