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Home » Drinks » A Perfect Cup of Coffee

A Perfect Cup of Coffee

Nov 15, 2011 · by Valentina · 14 Comments

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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.

Coffee in a pretty painted mug on a red checked cloth with coffee beans.

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 look forward to my morning coffee the night before.

Jump to:
  • What's your perfect cup of coffee?
  • My Perfect Cup of Coffee
  • How to Make Coffee with Half and Half
  • Serving Coffee
  • French Press Coffee with Half an Half

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!

Coffee with cream in pretty mug

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 is served 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 . . .

This is how to make coffee with half and half -- coffee being poured into the half and half

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.

This is how to make coffee with half and half -- coffee being poured into the half and half

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 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 meeting for coffee with friends, and that's when I get a latte or cappuccino.

Coffee is also lovely while sitting on an outside deck with a pretty view on a cool day.

Coffee ground on red and cloth

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 . . .

Coffee being poured into decoratively painted ceramic mug

French Press Coffee with Half an Half

Valentina K. Wein
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.
Print
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine International
Servings 1
Calories 13 kcal

Equipment

  • French Press

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

Calorie count is estimated based on 2 teaspoons of half and half.

NUTRITION

Calories: 13kcal
Keywords coffee recipes, methods for making coffee
Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

 

Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lana

    November 15, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 15, 2011 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you, Lana. I LOVE Turkish coffee. What a treat to wake up to!

      Reply
  2. K

    November 15, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    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!

    Reply
  3. Donna

    November 15, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    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!

    Reply
  4. Neil

    November 15, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. Stefani

    November 16, 2011 at 3:22 am

    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.

    Reply
  6. valentina

    November 16, 2011 at 4:47 am

    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!!!

    Reply
  7. sippitysup

    November 16, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    I am not a coffee drinker... does that make me a bad guy? GREG

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 16, 2011 at 10:02 pm

      Greg -- tea? 😉

      Reply
  8. Valerie

    November 21, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    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! 😀

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 24, 2011 at 4:44 am

      Valerie, hope you got your coffee and cookie! I love watching the cream naturally disperse, too! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Sophie

    November 24, 2011 at 5:51 am

    Your perfect cup of coffee looks indeed a lovely one!
    Thanks for sharing this original post with us!

    Reply
  10. Susan

    October 23, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    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).

    Reply
    • valentina

      October 24, 2015 at 11:39 am

      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

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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