Make your own coffee bar with the tips from KoffiePiraat
A coffee bar is a great way to organize all the supplies you need to enjoy a great cup of coffee. They are so versatile and can be little more than a tray of supplies on a counter to a fully stand-alone cart. If you entertain guests, having a coffee bar allows them to serve themselves. You can set it up for their visit or keep it to enjoy year-round. First, you’ll need to think about the things you already have and then go about finding any additional items to round out your coffee bar offerings.
A Good Coffee Maker
Because coffee is the star of the show, the coffee maker should form the core of your coffee bar. A coffee brewer requires advanced setup and depending upon the aesthetics you’re going for, things like coffee filters could be stored elsewhere or a small stack can be used to display packets of sweetener or a bag of ground coffee.
If you have a single-serve coffee machine or an espresso machine, you’ll need to allow space to store and display the options so that guests can choose various flavors of coffee or customize how strong they like their drinks. If you’re making espresso to enjoy on its own or as a latte or cappuccino, KoffiePiraat has ESE servings for the perfect cup.
A Good Tea
Though it may sound strange to include tea in a coffee bar, the drinks are similar in that they are both served hot and contain caffeine. If you’re hosting guests, keeping a variety of teas available is a nice gesture of hospitality. An electric kettle with a range of tea bags can augment your coffee fixings. If space is limited, you can write a note card for your guests with instructions on how to make a cuppa for themselves. Of course, something as simple as, “tea available upon request” can also do the trick. KoffiePiraat stocks many different teas such as English Breakfast, Mint, or Green Tea.
Round things out
With a stack of clean mugs and a way to prepare a hot drink, many people would be all set. Be sure you have enough coffee and tea on hand. You’ll also want to stock your coffee bar with indispensable items like spoons, stirrers, and napkins.
Remember the extras
For those who prefer additions, it’s nice to have milk or cream available as well as powdered creamer if you can’t offer something fresh.
Even if you don’t use them yourself, a range of sweeteners kept on hand shows guests you’re a thoughtful host. Sweeteners come in individual packets or you can find them in larger containers for an environmentally friendlier option. Just be sure to label them clearly as some artificial sweeteners like Splenda/Sucralose are sweeter than sugar while Erythritol is about 30% less sweet than regular table sugar. Honey sticks are shelf stable which is good to consider if you don’t drink much tea yourself but like to keep it on hand for guests to enjoy with their tea.
Flavored syrups are a delicious way to sweeten a coffee drink while adding a special taste. KoffiePiraat offers an assortment of Monin syrups from almond to caramel with plenty in between to keep friends and family happy.
Customize your coffee bar
Now that you have a good idea about the types of things you want to use to stock your coffee bar, it’s time to prepare a place for them. Pinterest and Instagram are great places to find inspiration or ideas to suit your situation. Keep in mind that how you intend to use your coffee bar will determine how it looks. If it’s mainly for guests, then you’ll want something that looks nice. If it’s something for yourself, it can be a bit more utilitarian.
A serving tray on top of a side table, low shelf or countertop can corral all of your supplies. A decorative placemat can also serve as a means to establish the coffee serving area.
If you have the space for it, a stand-alone coffee bar is ideal. You can repurpose a cocktail cart or purchase an inexpensive trolly or cabinet with wheels as well as enlisting the services of a small table. The options are endless, so be creative. If you have fun with this project, your friends and family will too.