Last Updated on May 18, 2023
Coffee is an essential part of the morning for many people. It wakes us up and gets us going. There are so many different ways to brew coffee at home, but there are seven that really stand out as being unique! See how some of these methods compare with your own favorite way to make coffee in this blog post.
If you love coffee like I do, sometimes you just want to get it brewed. No fussin’ around or experimenting with new and different brewing methods. Make the coffee. Drink the coffee. Done.
Sometimes, though, it’s fun, and rewarding, too, to brew your java with a new method. At least one that’s new for you!
So, we’re going to discuss some creative and fun ways to make coffee. See how many of these 7 brewing methods would be a first for you.
- 7 Fun Ways to Make Coffee
- 1. Use a coffee dripper to make your coffee
- 2. Make a strong cup of espresso-like coffee in a Moka pot
- 3. A fun way to make coffee is with a Beehouse dripper
- 4. Use a Clever Dripper to brew your coffee and have some fun!
- 5. How to make Cowboy coffee on a stove top for a fun brewing experience
- 6. Have fun making coffee with a sock filter – here is how to brew it
- 7. Coffee Bags – a simple, fun way to make coffee
- Tips for Making Good Coffee
- Sum It Up
7 Fun Ways to Make Coffee
If you’re serious about discovering some creative and yes, fun ways to brew your coffee, take a peek at these 7 possibilities. All are budget friendly and don’t require a large outlay of cash. You will, however, need some basic coffee brewing gear.
We’ll tell you exactly what you’ll need for each brewing option, and, we’ll give you some quick and easy resources to grab the gear and get brewing!
A few important points for any of these coffee brewing methods, my friend, before you decide which ones to try. Making a tasty cup of coffee at home is more than following a set of steps. Your choice of coffee roast, the coffee grinder you’re using (or if you choose pre-ground coffee), the type of water used to brew the java, will all affect the result. Learn more about making a good cup of coffee at home.
By the way, if you click on a link and then decide to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
1. Use a coffee dripper to make your coffee
WHAT IT IS: A coffee dripper, or a pour over dripper is an excellent way to make your cup of joe. If you’ve never tried a coffee brewing method that gets you involved in the process it can be a little intimidating. But, a pour over coffee dripper is a simple and relatively easy brewing method to learn. All you need to have on hand is a coffee dripper, a kettle to heat up water and some paper filters.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- A simple coffee dripper
- freshly ground coffee beans – medium to medium fine
- a filter to fit your particular coffee dripper
- heated water (195 to 205 degrees)
HOW TO BREW IT:
- To brew your cup of joe you’ll need about two tablespoons of fresh ground beans for every six ounces of heated water. That’s a good starting point, and you can adjust the ratio to suit your preferences.
- The first step is to place the paper filter in your coffee dripper and wet it with a little bit of the hot water.
- Next, measure out two tablespoons of ground coffee beans for every six ounces of heated water you have and place the grounds in the dripper. Tap the dripper gently a few times to settle the grounds.
- Place the coffee dripper over your cup or mug. Then, slowly pour in just enough heated water to cover the grounds, and wait about 30 to 45 seconds for the coffee to bloom.
- Then, slowly pour in, using a circular motion, about half of the water you have left for this cup of coffee.
- Once that is almost through the dripper, pour in the rest of the water. The entire pouring process should take about 3 minutes, including bloom time.
- Finally, remove the coffee dripper and enjoy your cup of fresh coffee!
DO YOU NEED A COFFEE DRIPPER?
2. Make a strong cup of espresso-like coffee in a Moka pot
WHAT IT IS: This is a stove top method of brewing coffee, and is perfect for someone who wants a strong, espresso-like taste but doesn’t want to invest in an espresso machine. There is a small learning curve to brewing strong coffee with a Moka pot, but it’s kind of fun, definitely hands-on, and very affordable, too. If a zero-waste coffee brewing method is important to you, you’ll want to try this one.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- A Moka pot
- freshly ground coffee – finely ground
- filtered water
HOW TO BREW IT:
- Fill the bottom chamber with cold water to just below the pressure release valve. Don’t overfill!
- Add finely ground coffee to the filter and screw it into place. The amount of coffee grounds will depend on your desired strength, but as a rule of thumb you should use one tablespoon per cup (about five tablespoons for twelve ounces).
- With this brewing method you don’t tamp (press) down the coffee, so resist the urge to tamp!
- Screw the upper chamber of the Moka pot onto the base and make sure it’s tight.
- Turn the Moka pot on medium-low heat, and wait until it begins to boil. This may take five minutes or longer, possibly up to ten minutes. Resist the urge to turn up the heat…patience is key.
- When steam starts coming out of the pressure release valve, remove from heat immediately. You may also see a hazel-brown foam appear at the spout. That’s another clue that the coffee is done brewing.
Now, enjoy your espresso-like, strong cup of coffee brewed with a Moka pot!
DO YOU NEED A MOKA POT?
3. A fun way to make coffee is with a Beehouse dripper
WHAT IT IS: A Beehouse dripper is a type of pour-over coffee dripper. It has a distinctive shape, with a small handle on the side for ease of use. It was invented by a German entrepreneur, Melitta Bentz, in 1908, using a brass pot she punctured, along with some blotting paper. If the brand Melitta filters is familiar to you, that is how they originated.
The Beehouse dripper is used in a very similar way as a pour over dripper, although the flat bottom and double hole design does not allow for as much control over the flow of the water. But, it’s easy to use and is a great choice if you’re just stepping into the world of pour over coffee drippers.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Beehouse dripper
- Melitta coffee filters to fit the size of your Beehouse dripper
- coffee ground medium
- heated water
HOW TO BREW IT:
- Start with about 2 tablespoons of coffee ground to a medium coarseness for each 6 ounces of water. A small Beehouse dripper will produce one cup of brewed coffee.
- Place the filter in the dripper, then add a small amount of heated water to wet the filter. Discard the coffee.
- Add the coffee grounds to the dripper, then pour in a small amount of heated water, just enough to cover the grounds, and wait about 30 seconds or so, for the coffee to bloom.
- Then start pouring in the remaining heated water, going in a circular motion, until the water level reaches the top of the dripper.
- When the water level has dropped by about halt, pour in the rest of the water. The Beehouse dripper has openings on each side to let you check the coffee level in your mug.
There, you did it! Enjoy your coffee!
DO YOU NEED A BEEHOUSE COFFEE DRIPPER?
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4. Use a Clever Dripper to brew your coffee and have some fun!
WHAT IT IS: A clever dripper is a coffee brewing system that incorporates both the features of a pour over with those of a French press. You don’t have to get involved in the actual extraction process, so if the thought of pouring a little, stopping a little, pouring more, then repeating the process is a bit too much, give this clever little dripper a try. It definitely belongs on the list of ‘fun ways to make coffee’, and it’s easy, too.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Clever dripper
- coffee ground to a medium coarseness
- a paper filter to fit the Clever dripper
- heater water (195 to 205 degrees)
HOW TO BREW IT:
- Gather your freshly ground coffee, heated water, your Clever Dripper, filter, and the mug that will ultimately hold your fresh brew.
- Wet the filter first, discard the water
- Place your beans ground to a medium coarseness into the filter, and shake it up a bit to settle the grounds evenly.
- Pour the heated water, about 200 degrees (not quite boiling) over the coffee grounds and wait for about 30 seconds, then give the brew a gentle stir.
- Cover with the Clever dripper lid.
- After four minutes of brewing time, place the clever dripper over your mug, and the brew will be released. Hint: make sure your mug is large enough to hold all of the freshly brewed coffee! You can stop the flow of the coffee at any time by lifting the clever dripper off of the mug.
You’ll probably want to experiment a bit to see what level of grind and extraction time results in the best tasting coffee for your preferences. If you grind the coffee beans finer, the brewing (extraction) time will be more, and the brew will filter more slowly into your mug.
A coarser grind needs more extraction time and the brew will flow more quickly.
DO YOU NEED A CLEVER DRIPPER?
5. How to make Cowboy coffee on a stove top for a fun brewing experience
WHAT IT IS: Cowboy coffee is always fun to make when you’re sitting around the campfire, but you can also brew a cup at home, using your stove top. I know…it’s not quite the same as watching the flames and enjoying the sounds of nature, but if you want to experience the coffee-making part of things, it can be accomplished quite well at home. And, you don’t need any special equipment to do it.
Here’s how to make cowboy coffee on the stove top using a pan or kettle, some coffee grounds, and the heat from the stove. Easy peasy, my friend.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- about 5 to 6 tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee depending on the strength of the brew you want
- 2 cups of water
- a stainless steel kettle or pan with lid
HOW TO BREW IT:
- First, bring the water to a rolling boil. Remove it from the heat and let it cool for 30 to 60 seconds. Don’t skip this part because if you do, the coffee could turn out bitter. You want the water temperature between 195 and 205 degrees.
- Stir in the coffee grounds and return the kettle or pan to the heat. continue stirring for about 15 seconds to make sure the grounds are saturated.
- Bring the brew to a simmer, not a boil. It is simmering when bubbles are just breaking the surface of the water.
- Remove from the heat, cover, and let the coffee steep for about 2 minutes. Then, stir the coffee and steep for another 2 minutes. Repeat again.
- After another minute or two, remove the lid to allow air to enter. This will help the grounds settle to the bottom of the pan. This is an important step. If you’re in a hurry, you can add a couple of tablespoons of cold water to the pan. This will help the grounds to sink quicker. Just don’t add too much cold water or you’ll cool off the coffee more than you probably would like.
- Now, s-l-o-w-l-y pour your cowboy coffee in your mug, leaving the last little bit in the pan along with the grounds. If you are going to drink traditional cowboy coffee you won’t do any straining of the grounds!
Add milk and/or sugar to taste. If the coffee tastes bitter, you can add a pinch of salt to the coffee and stir before drinking.
DO YOU NEED A KETTLE?
6. Have fun making coffee with a sock filter – here is how to brew it
WHAT IT IS: Yes, a coffee sock filter is used to make great coffee. No, you don’t put them on your feet. 🙂
These environmentally friendly, reusable cloth coffee filters are typically constructed from organic fabric, too. So not only do they make a tasty cup of java, you’re doing your part to reduce waste in our world.
It’s a newer, fun way to make coffee for me, and I love the whole idea of coffee sock filters as well as the clean, fresh tasting coffee they produce. They are easy to clean, too.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- your brewing method of choice, with the simplest being a simple pour over dripper as described earlier in this post
- a coffee sock filter to fit your chosen brewing method
- fresh coffee ground to a medium-fine grind
- heated water (195 to 200 degrees)
If you like your coffee strong, 4 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee for each 10 to 12 ounces of water. This will produce a large cup, or mug, of coffee. Adjust these ratios to taste, and also to the size of mug.
HOW TO BREW IT:
- Place your coffee sock in the dripper (or chosen brewing method) and snuggle it in there. Add the coffee grounds to the filter and tap it a little bit to even out the grounds.
- Place the dripper over your mug, cup, or receptacle.
- Now pour just enough of the heated water in to cover the grounds, and let the coffee bloom for about 30 to 45 seconds. Enjoy the aroma while you wait!
- Pour more water into the filter, up to the line of the coffee grounds, starting at the outside and moving inward. Let the water seep through.
- Repeat step 4 once or twice more, until you’ve used all of the water.
- The entire process will take about 3 minutes to complete.
Now, remove the dripper and enjoy your tasty cup of coffee!
DO YOU NEED A COFFEE SOCK FILTER?
7. Coffee Bags – a simple, fun way to make coffee
WHAT IT IS: Okay, so this might be more about the convenience than the fun, but single serve coffee bags could be a pleasant new experience for you in the world of making coffee.
Simplicity and convenience rule with this brewing method, because you really don’t have to do much at all. If you can steep a cup of hot tea, then you can brew a cup of hot coffee.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- single serve coffee bags
- a coffee cup or mug
- hot water
HOW TO BREW IT:
- heat your filtered water to 195 – 205 degrees
- unwrap the single serve coffee bag and place it in your cup
- pour the heated water over the coffee bag and let it steep for several minutes. Be patient. If you stop the steep too soon, your coffee will taste weak. Yuck.
- remove the coffee bag
Now, how easy and fun is that? Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the process and just enjoy the result. That’s how I look at the coffee bag method.
DO YOU NEED SINGLE SERVE COFFEE BAGS?
Tips for Making Good Coffee
When you’re considering these fun ways to make coffee, it can be easy to forget the fundamentals that can have a significant effect on the resulting brew.
So, here are a few coffee-making tips for you to keep in mind, no matter the brewing method (or how much fun you’re having!)
First, if at all possible, grind your coffee beans fresh, just before brewing. Yes, it requires that you have a coffee grinder available, so it’s another piece of coffee gear. But, my friend, the resulting java is so well worth the investment of time and a little bit of money.
The brand and type of coffee are also very personal choices that affect the taste and mouthfeel of your brew. Do you like strong coffee? Does an acid free coffee fit your health needs? Perhaps it is decaf that you’ve decided is best. And for some, only organically grown coffee will do.
Then we have the roasts: light, medium, dark, and several roasts in-between. There can be a marked difference in the taste of the coffee depending upon the type of roast, and the location where the coffee was grown.
Another important factor in brewing a tasty cup of coffee is the water used. Bottom line? Filtered water is the best choice, and you’ll get the cleanest, tastiest result.
When it comes down to the brewing method, it’s best to follow the instructions closely and don’t skip steps. Even if you’re really, really anxious for the caffeine fix. After you’ve tried the method a few times, then start to modify to your preferences. But if you start out by cutting corners you won’t get the best result. I speak from experience!
Sum It Up
Fun ways to make coffee? We’ve highlighted seven of them for you here, and although there are others to consider, try a couple of these and see what you think. There is so much more out there for you in the coffee brewing world than to just hit a button and wait for the drip coffee maker to brew!
IMAGE RESOURCES:
- https://unionplacecoffeeroasters.com/product/clever-dripper/
- https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/products/bee-house-white
- https://coffeesock.com
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