Love the smell of spiced coffee? Here's an easy way to make spiced coffee at home—no extra time required.
How to Make Spiced Coffee
Updated on Dec. 13, 2022
If stopping at a coffee shop is part of your morning routine, you’ve probably tasted (or at least smelled!) the mother of all spiced coffees: pumpkin spice. The annual arrival of the pumpkin spice latte (and other pumpkin spice products) is hard to ignore. And we have to admit, we love that warm fall flavor.
Thing is, it’s easy to make spiced coffee at home, any day of the year, and it’s not limited to pumpkin pie spices. Let’s turn your coffee grounds into a five-star flavored blend.
The Best Spices to Use
You can think beyond pumpkin pie spice and use your favorite spices, alone or combined, for fantastic flavor. Cinnamon and cardamom impart warm, cozy notes, while star anise or ginger give your coffee a slight kick.
If you’re not used to making coffee at home, read up on these tricks for perfect home-brewed coffee before getting started.
Easy Spiced Coffee Recipe
Our Test Kitchen has the easiest way to spice your cup of coffee, and it’s all in the grounds. This method is especially useful if you like flavored black coffee rather than adding creamer. The mix of spices and ground beans will bring a basic cup of black coffee to seasonal spiced perfection.
Just make sure to avoid common coffee brewing mistakes. Paying attention to measurements and water quality really makes a difference if you’re trying to brew a coffee shop-worthy cup.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup ground coffee (not instant coffee granules)
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon or other spice. Cardamom, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, allspice and star anise pair well with coffee.
Directions
Step 1: Add spices to coffee grounds
Combine coffee with ground cinnamon or other spice in the filter basket of your coffee maker. We used a drip coffeemaker, but you can also spice up coffee made in a French press or Chemex, or other pour-over method. If you want to combine a few spices, use 1/4 teaspoon each of three spices (instead of 3/4 teaspoon of one spice).
Step 2: Brew coffee
Prepare the coffee as usual. You’ll get about 4 cups.
Step 3: Serve with cream and sugar
Enjoy your spiced coffee black or add milk or cream and your favorite sweetener. Want to go over the top? Garnish the mugs with cinnamon sticks and whipped cream for a decadent dessert-like treat. Serving an after-dinner drink? Add 1-2 tablespoons of coffee liqueur to the mug. For a summery version, chill spiced coffee and milk until cool, then pour over ice.
Tips for Making Spiced Coffee
- If you’re feeling extra fancy, try making Scandinavian coffee with the spiced grounds. The secret ingredient in Scandinavian coffee is an egg, and it will result in deliciously rich coffee.
- Use freshly ground beans for the best results. Freshly ground beans, versus pre-ground beans, will lend a better consistency and overall better flavor to your brew.
Our Favorite Coffee Shop Drink Recipes
Easy Spiced Morning MochaThis recipe is a delicious morning pick-me-up and still tastes great when made with low-fat milk.—Vicki Wright, Omaha, Nebraska
Coffee with Cinnamon and ClovesA quick-and-easy, fall-flavored coffee made with instant granules. What's not to love about this special beverage? —Jill Garn, Charlotte, Michigan
Caramel MochaIf you crave cafe-style coffees at home, here's a recipe for caramel mocha. You can make this decadent, sweet recipe within a few minutes and have a drink that rivals what you'd get at a coffeehouse.
Comforting Coffee MilkThis recipe is special to me because the delicious ingredients and flavors speak for themselves without those extra preservatives. Now that’s refreshing! —Brenda Schrag, Farmington, New Mexico
Holiday Peppermint MochaMake spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Irish CoffeeIrish coffee, with a splash of Irish whiskey, sugar and cream, is a classic recipe for a reason. Cozy up with this easy-to-make boozy treat. Sláinte!
Mocha Morning DrinkWhen I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel as if I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
Caramel-Chai Tea LatteInspired by the spicy chai drinks served at coffee shops, I whipped up a caramel-drizzled latte I can enjoy at home anytime. —Katelyn Kelly, Perryville, Maryland
Hazelnut Mocha SmoothiesThis smooth blend of coffee, cocoa and nutty flavors is better than any coffeehouse version we've tried. Try it, and we're sure you will agree. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Coconut Lover's FrappeI love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut
Sweet Kahlua CoffeeI have this beverage brewing in my slow cooker at my annual Christmas open house. I set out the whipped cream and grated chocolate in festive dishes so guests can help themselves to as much Kahlua-flavored coffee as they'd like.—Ruth Gruchow, Yorba Linda, California
Frosty Caramel CappuccinoThis frothy iced cappuccino is positively delicious for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack or an after-dinner dessert. It's also a great quick treat to serve with a plate of cookies for the holidays. To make the ice cream topping easier to drizzle, put it in a squeeze bottle, take the cap off and microwave for a few seconds. —Carol Mann, Summerfield, Florida
Hot Ginger CoffeeI like to sit by the fire and sip this coffee on a cold winter day. It's a wonderful warmup after shoveling snow, skiing, skating or snowmobiling. —Audrey Thibodeau, Gilbert, Arizona
Iced CoffeeWhen my sister introduced me to iced coffee, I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Not only did I love it, but I decided to start making my own iced coffee recipe. This easy version is a refreshing alternative to hot coffee. —Jenny Reece, Lowry, Minnesota
Cappuccino PunchWhen I tried this punch at a friend's wedding shower, I had to have the recipe. Guests will eagerly gather around the punch bowl when you ladle out this frothy mocha ice cream drink. —Rose Reich, Nampa, Idaho
