My perfect cup of coffee with half and half is made in a French press. It’s decadent to serve it this way. In this post I explain how to make coffee with half and half so that it perfectly blends without even using a spoon.
I love a good cup of coffee. Love!
I love the flavor and adore the ritual of it.
Coffee is a big part of my day . . . and not just because it helps wake me up, either.
I actually sometimes look forward to my morning coffee the night before.
What’s your perfect cup of coffee?
Is it at home? At a café?
Is if full of cream? Sugar? Both?
Is it hot? On ice?
Is it in a ceramic mug? Or do you fill a thermos with it and take it on-the-go?
I want to know! Really, I do.
My Perfect Cup of Coffee
Let’s start with the basics. . . it’s caffeinated.
The coffee beans are high quality, dark roast, and freshly ground.
The coffee is brewed in a French press.
I like it strong. I never measure, but I use roughly 1 tablespoon coffee grounds per 6 ounces of water.
No sugar and never any artificial sweeteners.
It must be very hot.
My perfect cup of coffee comes in a pretty ceramic mug with a fairly thick, smooth lip. This really makes a difference to me.
Learning how to make coffee with half and half is crucial to my perfect cup. You will see . . .
How to Make Coffee with Half and Half
You probably think this is a no-brainer, and that it doesn’t require directions.
Well it’s true, everyone can certainly mix half and half with their coffee — however, in my experience the following is the best way to do it.
- Pour the desired amount half and half into the mug you’ll be drinking your coffee in before you make the coffee. (This amount is totally a matter of personal taste.)
- Heat it in the microwave to take the chill out, maybe 20 seconds.
- Once the coffee is ready, pour it directly into the warmed half and half. Don’t use a spoon! The pour mixes it perfectly, and it’s a lovely process.
One morning while I was attending Culinary school, I just happened to be standing next to one of the head chefs as he was making his coffee. There was no discussion about it, but I watched him add the half and half to his cup and pour the coffee into it. And that’s how I’ve done it ever since.
It’s not just for breakfast or brunch. My perfect cup of coffee can be from morning through the afternoon.
Serving Coffee
Coffee is never better than when it’s poured just after it’s brewed.
I would guess most people take their coffee with cream and sugar, so it should always be served with both options.
I usually ask my guests if they’d like half and half or milk in their coffee, and how much. Then I pour it using my method.
Often people are more comfortable making their own cup. You can kind of tell who these folks are. (I’m likely one of them. 😉 ) If this is the case, just serve it with all of the options.
While I think I make a mean, super yummy cup of coffee, sometimes my perfect cup is while I’m out and about. I love going out for coffee with friends.
Coffee is also lovely while sitting on an outside deck with a pretty view on a cool day.
One more thing, my perfect cup of coffee is often accompanied by a cookie. Cappuccino Oatmeal Cookie with Chocolate Nibs or Cafe´Con Leche Chocolate Chunk are two of my favorites.
Now let’s learn how to make coffee in a french press . . .
French Press Coffee with Half an Half
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh, coarsely ground coffee (medium grind is best)
- 12 ounces water
- desired amount of half and half
Instructions
- Pull out the plunger in the French press, and add the coffee grounds.
- In a tea kettle, bring the water almost to a boil. (If it's boiling, just let it sit for a few seconds before moving on.)
- Pour in the water and gently stir. Carefully reinsert the plunger, stopping just above the water and ground coffee (do not plunge yet), and let stand for 3-4 minutes. Then press the plunger down slowly, with steady pressure.
- While the coffee is steeping, add the desired amount of half and half to your mug and place it in the microwave just long enough to take the chill out.
- Pour your coffee into the half and half in the mug. (If you're adding sugar, you and add it to the half and half before you pour.)
Notes
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Lana says
I have to have a cup of strong, unsweetened Turkish coffee in the morning to wake up. But I take my American coffee the same way you do, half&half, no sugar, no sweeteners, in a beautiful mug (I have a few my oldest daughter brought from her trips, and a few my younger two made for me:)
Now I’ll have to make a pot after we return from our morning walk (unfortunately, we don’t have French press – it will arrive once we move:)
Love your photos!
valentina says
Thank you, Lana. I LOVE Turkish coffee. What a treat to wake up to!
K says
I prefer my coffee black and strong with 2 sugars and no cream. My favorite way of making it is with the stovetop espresso maker!
Donna says
My favorite cup of coffee is after my three-mile walk outside every morning! It must be very hot, strong and good quality coffee, a little half and half, no sugar or sweeteners and must be in a nice heavy mug! And, tomorrow morning, I am going to try putting the half and half in my mug first and then pour the coffee in; never heard of doing that, Valentina, but can’t wait to try it and see if it makes a difference; improvements are always welcome; thanks!
Neil says
Valentina, my wife knows her breads, but I know my coffee. I also like it strong, and yours looks wonderful. I go the espresso route and use a Pasquini espresso machine. I steam 2 % milk and get the bubbles as small as I can. I use Danessi Dopio beans which I find to be the richest taste for me. I usually use a double basket/ cup which makes the late nice and strong.
Stefani says
I love a good doppio espresso, straight up, first thing in the morning (Illy is among my faves). Otherwise, I take my coffee with milk and a sprinkle of sugar.
valentina says
I am so enjoying hearing about everyone’s perfect cup of coffee! Thank you all!
Stove top espresso makers, Pasquini machines, nice heavy mugs . . . I love all of it!!!
sippitysup says
I am not a coffee drinker… does that make me a bad guy? GREG
valentina says
Greg — tea? 😉
Valerie says
I’m with you all the way when it comes to coffee. Once I had my first sip of coffee made with a French press, life changed. The sky was brighter, the sun was warmer…okay, may that’s a slight exaggeration (very slight).
And spoons kind of ruin all the fun of watching the cream clouds naturally disperse.
Now I’m craving coffee..and a cookie! 😀
valentina says
Valerie, hope you got your coffee and cookie! I love watching the cream naturally disperse, too! 🙂
Sophie says
Your perfect cup of coffee looks indeed a lovely one!
Thanks for sharing this original post with us!
Susan says
So, I’m four years late! But I love your blog. My perfect cup of coffee? Strong, freshly ground from good-quality beans, warm half and half, and then I peacefully wander back to bed, where I sip and stare at the trees and birds in the morning.
Of course, this is at home. If I’m in Italy–which I adore–espresso doppia with natural sugar near the Pantheon, a pen, notebook and nice perch where I can watch the world go by (there’s a theme here).
valentina says
Hi Susan! Thank you! My favorite part of your description is the going back to be part. 😉 Sounds ideal about now. And of course, what sounds even more ideal is to be in Italy! Daydreaming . . . Lovely. xo