How to Flavor Coffee in 14 Simple Ways

By Robert Parsons July 22, 2021

Coffee is great on its own; however, sometimes, you just want a taste that’s extra special. This is where coffee flavoring comes in. You can sweeten up your cup of brew in several different ways – some are nutritional while others just pack a kick.

How to flavor coffee? Here are our top 14  recommended ways: 

Coconut Oil

You probably saw this one coming. Coconut oil has many benefits and is used in so many different settings. Some people use it for cooking healthier meals, while others use it within their skincare routines. More importantly, you can add some coconut oil to your coffee if you’re looking for a creamy texture, light coconut flavor, and nutritional boost. 

Butter 

Adding butter to coffee is growing in popularity. It’s becoming a trend, especially among the keto community, because it offers a reduction in appetite and prevents the post-caffeine crash. If you add butter, make sure it’s grass-fed, high-quality, and unsalted. Some users like to blend in butter paired with some coconut oil for a creamy texture. 

Salt 

Yes, you heard right! Add salt to your cup of java to lessen the bitterness. In many seaside regions, using salted water is a tradition to compensate for bad-tasting brewing water. Salt also replenishes the sodium your body loses when drinking coffee – making it a healthy-ish choice.

Flavor Extracts 

This is one of our personal favorites. Extracts are an easy way to add something different to your coffee. They come in many forms, including: 

  • – Vanilla
  • – Coconut
  • – Nuts
  • – Orange
  • – Chocolate
  • – And much more!
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These extracts pair great with the right coffee. They won’t add much nutrition to your cup but are a sugar and calorie-free way to liven up your cup of java. Consider a splash of vanilla extract in your next morning brew to experiment with different flavorings.

Cocoa Powder 

If you’re not a big fan of chocolate, you may want to skip this idea. Chocolate is well-known for its sweet and rich flavors. Research also shares that it contains healthy properties; therefore, adding it to your coffee offers a boost of antioxidants. Cocoa powder is the easiest way to implement a chocolatey taste. Just be sure to start in small amounts and go from there. 

Cinnamon 

A sprinkle of cinnamon goes a long way. This is a spice that we most associate with coffee – we may even brew cinnamon coffee on a regular basis. Adding a pinch of cinnamon on top of our brew or cappuccino is a great way to embrace the fall season. 

Cayenne Pepper 

This is another flavoring that may come as a surprise. Flavoring coffee with cayenne pepper is used in many Central American and Middle Eastern countries. It’s often mixed with milk, sugar, or chocolate. This ingredient is high in antioxidants, great for blood circulation, and boosts metabolism. Talk about a healthy boost to your morning cup of java!

Maple Syrup 

Maple syrup is a great substitution for refined white sugar. It has a smooth taste that goes well with coffee flavors. It’s also rich in minerals not found in white sugar like zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It’s especially great to make iced coffee drinks since you won’t need to dissolve the sugar beforehand.

Ginger

This ingredient offers a spicy flavor to your cup of java. It is well-known as a medicinal plant, so you better believe you will receive its anti-inflammatory, anti-colds, and anti-nausea properties. It’s great for the body and treats everything from colds to cancer. It’s been added to coffee drinks for many years – chances are you’ve already had a cup of coffee that contains ginger within it.

Peppermint Oil

If you’re getting close to the holiday season, add some peppermint to your brew. Nothing screams “tis the season” more than peppermint coffee. This is a herb that’s been crossed with spearmint and watermint. For coffee, invest in some peppermint oil extract and add a few drops to your pot during the brewing process. Peppermint has a very strong flavor and can easily overtake the other coffee flavors, so be sure to use it sparingly.

Hazelnut Oil

This is a customer favorite at any café store. Hazelnut is a popular coffee flavor because of its buttery sweetness. Adding some hazelnut oil to your coffee or grinding hazelnut beans is a great way to add healthy fats to your brew. Not a fan of hazelnut? Try vanilla or caramel instead.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a popular coffee flavoring spice. It offers warm, nutty, and sweet flavors that pair perfectly with coffee. It can be mixed with vanilla for a vanilla nutmeg brew or sprinkled over a foamy latte. It also has antibacterial properties that relax the muscles, improves memory, and benefit the heart.

Lavender

If you want a combination of floral notes with earthy tones, try lavender. Drinking it in your cup of java will welcome soothing effects that aid in pain relief and promotes rest at night. If you want the calming influence brought forward by lavender, add it to a cup of decaf coffee. This will increase the calming effect.

Homemade Syrup

You can make your own homemade flavored coffee by using self-made syrup. You want a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan and stir until the syrup has melted. You can add any extra flavors like caramel, vanilla, berries, or flowers. Like maple syrup, this is a great way to sweeten iced beverages since they don’t require heat to dissolve.

Final Thoughts 

Now that you know how to flavor coffee, you’ll want to experiment with a few of the above choices to find the method that best works for you!