How to Make Instant Coffee Taste Gourmet

The taste of paradise.

Everywhere you turn, coffee shops lure you in with the promise of teasing your taste buds with a delectable brewed coffee or specialty espresso drink. The prices are often exuberant, the taste is mediocre and the size is a joke. That’s why many people simply stick to the basics--a good old-fashioned dose of instant coffee that tastes like it was brewed and has an extra touch of something for the gourmet appeal.

Things You'll Need

• Hot water
• Instant coffee
• Coffee creamer
• Nondairy creamer
• Sugar or sugar substitute
• Flavored syrups
• Milk
• Cinnamon
• Your favorite coffee mug

Instructions

1. 

   Choose the best instant coffee you can find. The great thing about shopping for instant coffee is that it is inexpensive, so going through the process of trial and error won’t kill your pocketbook. If you are not a fan of one brand, buy another and start fresh.

2. 

   Add a dash of flavored creamer, one of the best ways to add a gourmet touch to your classic instant coffee. Flavors like mocha, amaretto, French vanilla and hazelnut turn dull coffee into a masterpiece. Powdered creamers are perfect for the lactose-intolerant connoisseur.

3. 

   A splash of flavored syrup goes a long way. Flavored syrups can be found not only in grocery stores but in housewares stores and some national department retail stores.

4. 

   Add a dash of cinnamon and sugar to your instant coffee.

5. For a frothy top, add steamed milk to your favorite instant coffee. Adding steamed milk to instant espresso turns your drink into a café latte.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with coffees from Cuba and Brazil.

• Follow the instructions on your instant coffee packaging label. Too much or too little can taste too bad.

• Purchase a durable tea kettle; it can be had for less than $20.

• Remember that although espresso is from the coffee bean, it tends to be more potent than coffee. So keep this in mind when purchasing instant espresso instead of instant coffee.

• If you are steaming milk, pay attention to the pot. You don’t want to end up with a burnt flavor in your coffee.