I’m a huge fan of coffeeshops. Especially warm, cozy, small-town coffeeshops with their own unique flair-quirky beverage names, bookshelves stuffed with used books, art from local artists lining the walls. If you’re ever in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, a visit to BFC&T (Beaver Falls Coffee and Tea) is definitely in order; if you’re in the Greenville, South Carolina area, don’t miss Leopard Forest. Here in Carrollton, Georgia, Gallery Row is my usual haunt.

As previously noted, I sadly can’t get much writing done in coffeeshops-I prefer to work in silence. But-also as previously noted-that doesn’t mean I don’t like having a delicious beverage at hand. Usually it’s just a mug of strong Starbucks coffee, Caffé Verona being my favorite. (Yes, I admit it-I love Starbucks coffee too.) But occasionally I’m in the mood for something different.

Here are two recipes to help you create delicious coffeehouse beverages in the comfort and silence of your own home.

Single-serving Hot Cocoa

  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar (to taste)
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt (to taste)
  • Milk to fill mug

Combine dry ingredients in mug. Add milk and vanilla extract, stir, and then microwave until heated. Adapted from this recipe.

Chai Latte Mix

  • 2 cups powdered milk
  • 2 cups powdered coffee creamer
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar (to taste)
  • 2 cups black tea
  • 1 package vanilla instant pudding mix*
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom*
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper (black or white)

Mix well (can be put in a food processor or coffee grinder to get rid of lumps) and store in a covered container. Add two tablespoons (more to taste) to a mug of hot water and stir. If desired, you can then strain it into another mug to remove any loose material. Adapted from this recipe.

*Optional. If you cut the pudding mix, just add more creamer to compensate. And I never seem to have cardamom around, so I’ve never actually used it in this recipe.

I’ll take a moment for some shameless self-promotion now. If you’re on Facebook, help a penniless student win a $100 bookstore gift card by voting for my entry in Book Riot’s photo contest! Go here to “like” my bookshelf photo; it’s the one listed under the name “Amanda McCrina,” with Hobbes’ Leviathan prominently in the foreground.