Who Needs Starbucks Part 2: New and Improved!

Last September, I blogged about how to make a Starbucks latte in the comfort of your own home.  That way worked really well...until I was talking to a coworker and realized how easy it is to make your own espresso at home, rather than using strongly brewed coffee!  I decided to look into picking up a few items and it really wasn't that expensive to purchase the equipment necessary to create my own lattes at home!

First, you need to buy a stove-top espresso maker.  I was told that the best one to buy is the Bialetti Espresso Maker:

So I bought this little guy - a 3 cup Italian Bialetti Espresso maker.  It makes more than enough espresso to make a latte...probably two, depending on how strong you make them.  I found mine for $29.99 at Home Outfitters, although you can find them at almost any kitchen or home store in person or online.

The next thing you need is a milk frother:

This is just a cheap one that I found at Kitchen Stuff Plus for $5.99.  There are nicer ones out there that are fully stainless steel, which I may pick up if this one ever breaks.  So far...so good!

Then, you just need your espresso coffee grounds or beans (just a couple of dollars at the grocery store):

You also need your milk of choice (mine is soy milk) and your coffee syrups.  You can use a bit of vanilla, drink it plain with a bit of cinnamon on top, some cocoa powder, or you can buy the coffee syrups like they have at Starbucks.

I found these Torani syrups at a store locally in Mississauga called Espresso Planet.  They have an online store that ships all over North America, and their retail store is awesome.  They have two full racks of different coffee syrups in every flavor imaginable!  I picked up a bottle of English Toffee and Chocolate Mint, along with the pumps to put in the top to complete the coffee barista experience!

All you have to do is fill the base of the espresso maker with water (up to the line, or just below the valve), fill the filter on top with espresso grounds, and put it on the stove.  Make sure you tighten up the espresso maker very well or else you may have a bit of spillage.  Set your stove-top burner to medium-low and wait for the espresso to be made.  In the meantime, you can heat up your milk in the microwave right inside the frother glass for a couple of minutes.  When your espresso is finished, put a couple of shot glasses full of espresso into your mug, along with a pump or two of your favorite coffee syrup.  Froth up your milk and add the milk on top of the coffee, topping it off with some frothy milk.

Taa-daa!  You're done!  And just as easy as that, you have no need to run out to your local Starbucks and pay $5 per beverage....you can make it all in the comfort of your own home!