How to Brew Coffee Without a Coffee Maker

If you're only making one or two cups of coffee, there's no sense firing up a whole coffee-pot full. Besides, automatic coffee makers are notorious for nasty build-up that over time taints the flavor of your cup of joe. Brewing coffee with a single-cup, manual drip method not only ensures a great-tasting cup every time, but takes the waste out of the process.

Things You'll Need

• Coffee mug
• Saucepan or tea kettle
• Stove
• Single-cup coffee drip
• Single-cup coffee filter
• Coffee
• Water
• Half and half (optional)
• Sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill the coffee mug with water and empty it into a small saucepan or tea kettle.

2. Turn one burner of the stove on high and heat the water until it is boiling.

3. Place the single-cup coffee drip over the mouth of the mug while the water is boiling.

4. Place a single-cup filter in the drip and scoop the desired amount of coffee. For a strong cup, use 3 heaping teaspoons for one 12-ounce cup. For a weaker brew, use less.

5. Pour the boiling water slowly over the coffee grounds.

6. Continue to pour the water in, washing the grounds that gather on the sides of the filter down to the bottom.

7. Add half and half and sugar to taste once all the water is emptied from the saucepan.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to add a lot of half and half and sugar, leave room by heating slightly less water than what will fit in the mug.