Get cozy with coffee

September 16, 2009 Written by:

If you're chilly enough to trade in your iced coffee for a hot drink but the price of luxury lattes makes you cringe, consider hosting a caffeine concoction party.

Give your home a coffee shop feel by laying out your favorite artistic books and playing jazz or classical music. Lower the lights and burn coffee-scented candles to energize attendees.

Purchase sleeves of small paper cups and decorate a few for each of your guests. Arm yourself with essentials, such as flavored syrup, cinnamon, milk for steaming and, of course, your favorite dark or medium roast.

When your crew arrives, serve theme-appropriate treats such as homemade coffee cake or espresso brownies.

Once everyone's sugar rush hits, hold a drink-making contest using your favorite ingredients. Try samples of each drink and decide who will be crowned a siren of cinnamon or sultan of spice.

Reward the winner with a travel mug that will tell every local coffee franchise-goer who the best barista really is. By the end of the party, you'll have an entire menu of delicious, homemade drinks – and enough energy to clean up!