It’s likely you’ve made coffee with a French press. After all, the pot makes a mighty good cup (or four). But what about lattes, matcha, or hot chocolate? Yup, this versatile brewer has some hidden talents. If you’re looking for an extra special cup, or simply some variety, give one of these seven French press recipes a try.
1. French Press Chai Latte
Come fall, there are few things as comforting as a chai latte. (OK, soups too.) But who wants to spend a small fortune on tea—even if it is a latte? This dairy- and refined sugar-free alternative is here to save the day. And since the recipe makes 2-4 cups, you can save it in the fridge and heat up leftovers the next day.
2. Vanilla Matcha Green Tea Latte
Making matcha at home can feel intimidating. What kind of whisk should I use? What color should my matcha powder be? This recipe makes DIY matcha all kinds of easy. (Heck, you can even use bags of green tea!) Simply add the ingredients to the French press, push the plunger up and down for 15 seconds, and welcome to matcha heaven.
3. Hazelnut Chocolate French Press Latte
Hazelnut chocolate latte may sound like a sugar bomb, but this healthy twist is anything but. Made with chocolate hazelnut black tea—yes, it’s a thing, and yes, it’s as good as it sounds—and a nut milk of your choice (cashew milk makes it extra creamy), this latte will make you look forward to your morning alarm. The added espresso doesn’t hurt either.
4. Chamomile Tea Latte
Energizing drinks are awesome—and they make mornings (and afternoons) so much better. But that doesn’t meantime pre-bed lattes should be overlooked. This caffeine-free chamomile latte is full of relaxing herbs, frothy soymilk (though any milk will do!), and a handful of simple spices, and is the perfect way to wind down. We love that’s it’s free of added sugars, but it’s a-OK if you want to add a little honey as a sweetener.
Vanilla French Press Cappuccino
Who needs an espresso machine, anyway? Don’t get us wrong: We’d love to own one. But we may love this cheap and easy cappuccino hack even more. The first trick: adding extract to the coffee grounds before brewing. (This recipe uses vanilla, but maple and almond extract also work wonders.) The second: frothing warm milk with a milk frother or using the French press plunge. Will coffee ever be the same? We’re not so sure.
6. Ayurvedic Turmeric Detox Tea
Don’t know what Ayurveda is? Don’t worry. This tea is great for anyone, especially if you prefer something with less caffeine or if you’re in need of a little detox. Made with fresh ginger and turmeric, a slew of seeds (coriander, cumin, and fennel), green tea, and water, it’s the perfect balance of tart and comfort. For those who prefer caffeine-free, feel free to substitute tulsi, mint, or ginger tea.
7. French Press Breakfast Chocolate
There’s hot cocoa mix, and there’s drinking chocolate, and we fall firmly in the camp that if you’re looking for a rich, creamy, and decadent sip, drinking chocolate is the way to go. Why? Because drinking chocolate is made from actual chocolate (as opposed to cocoa powder). This recipe opts for homemade, using dark or bittersweet chocolate, and even throws in a little espresso. Alter as needed—skip the espresso, swap in nut milk, etc.—and enjoy the dreamiest of drinks.
