How to Make Coffee at Home Like a Real Barista (2020)

It's easy enough to brew a pot of coffee at home. But do you know how to brew coffee like an authentic barista? That's a whole new level of coffee-making, and it will require a few extra steps. Still, there's no need to buy $5 coffees at your local cafe every day when you could get everything you need to make professional-quality coffee at home!

So we've put together this handy guide to making coffee like the baristas do. While it is more involved than using your basic coffeemaker, it definitely isn't as complicated (or costly) as you probably think! Luxury espresso machines are great if you can afford them, but they're not the only way to make your coffee "fancy." Here's how to make a professional-grade cup of coffee in just 10 easy steps!

We hope you find these products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: We are a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, and may receive a share of sales from links on this page. Prices on Amazon fluctuate so anything mentioned below might change as soon we publish it!
We hope you find these handy products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: we participate in affiliate programs, and may receive a share of sales from links on this page.

Buy your coffee beans whole.

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Is it easier to get already ground-up coffee? Yes, of course. But did you know that, compared to ground coffee, whole bean coffee tastes more fresh and flavorful? If you want barista-quality coffee, buy whole bean coffee.

Check out Bean Box coffee on Amazon!

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Each box features a selection of 4 gourmet coffees from the top small-batch roasters in Seattle. You’ll get about half a pound of fresh-roasted whole bean coffee, along with tips for brewing. How cool is that?

Only grind what you’re going to use.

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You can keep your stash of coffee fresh for longer by only grinding as much coffee as you’re actually going to use at a time. Don’t grind up the whole bag all at once!

You’ll need a good coffee grinder.

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This Hamilton Beach electric grinder is super simple to use, and it’ll do the job perfectly. It’ll grind enough for up to 12 cups of coffee at a time, and it operates conveniently quiet!

Filter your water.

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Little things make all the difference as far as taste goes, so try using filtered water to make your coffee. You’ll be surprised at the difference!

Consider a pour-over glass coffeemaker.

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This CHEMEX coffeemaker is Amazon’s choice (with a ton of positive ratings) and it’s clear why: the coffeemaker’s elegant design is made with high-quality materials and it’s easy to use. You’ll even be able to cover and refrigerate your coffee for later reheating without losing its bold flavor.

Accurately measure out your coffee with each use.

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It’s easy to just grab a spoon and dump a few spoonfuls of coffee into the coffeemaker, but it seriously doesn’t taste the same compared to measuring out your coffee with a scale. If you want to make the perfect cup of coffee, you need to know how much you’re going to use!

So, invest in a scale.

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This totally affordable coffee scale will provide you with accurate measurements of your coffee. Plus, it comes with a built-in timer that enables you to time your brew and get a consistent cup of coffee every single time.

Spice it up!

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Literally. Try using spices in your coffee! Ground spices like cinnamon and nutmeg taste amazing when added to coffee. If you’re a fan of chocolate, you could even stir in chocolate chunks!

Finally, you can froth your milk at home.

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Cappuccinos and lattes are totally accessible, too; all you need is an electric milk frother! This PowerLix is a perfect example of the simple handheld foam maker that will allow you to make a creamy, frothy drink.