5 Coffee Drinks Every Mama Needs This February

By Katie Trudeau

If you’re like me, your mornings are fueled by coffee. Usually, I’m a café au lait mama, but sometimes I like to get fancy with my coffee  — especially around festive holidays.

This February, kick your coffee game up a notch with these 5 February-inspired coffee beverages. No need to hit the drive-thru; you can make all of these right in your own kitchen.

Black Forest Latte 

Black forest cake is a popular Valentine’s Day dessert. Chocolate cake, cherries, and more chocolate? Yes, please! If you love this dessert, you’ll love this coffee. 

What you need:

• Two shots of espresso
• 6 ounces of whole milk, steamed 
• Whipped cream
• 10 ounces of chocolate syrup (German chocolate syrup, if you can find it)
• 10 ounces of black cherry syrup 
• Chocolate shavings
• Maraschino cherries

What to do:

1. Brew your espresso.
2. Pour your espresso into a mug.
3. Add the syrup and stir.
4. Pour the steam milk over the top.
5. Top with whipped cream.
6. Sprinkle the chocolate shavings on top.
7. Top with a cherry.
   
   

Hot Pink Mocha 

Chocolate and coffee is a delicious combo, but this pink mocha is worthy enough for the ‘Gram! Plus, if you want to make a pink hot chocolate for your kids, just skip the shot of espresso. 

What you need:

• One shot of espresso
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 ½ teaspoon sugar
• Dash of pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups of whole milk
• 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped 
• Natural red food dye 
• Pink and red sprinkles

What to do:

1. Pour the milk and chocolate into a sauce pan on medium heat. Stir to combine the white chocolate and milk. Do not let the mixture boil. You just want the chocolate to melt and the milk to get warm.
2. Stir in the food dye. 
3. While the milk is warming, pour the whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract into a glass bowl. Use a hand mixer to make the whipped cream. Add a drop or two of red food dye to the whipped cream to get a nice pink shade.
4. Pour the espresso shot into the bottom of a mug.
5. Pour the pink hot chocolate on top of your espresso.
6. Top with pink whipped cream.
7. Add pink sprinkles.

Pink Rose Espresso + Milk

What’s more Valentine’s Day-esque than a pink latte? A pink rose latte! 

What you need:

• Espresso
• ½ cup whole milk 
• 2 drops natural red food dye 
• ½ teaspoon of rosewater
• Optional: candied edible rose petals

What to do:

1. Brew one shot of espresso. Or, make two shots and share with your spouse!
2. Warm your milk (don’t boil it!) and then froth it in a milk frother.
3. Add the food dye.
4. Add the rose water.
5. Froth one more time so it’s nice and thick.
6. Pour the pink foam over your espresso.
7. Top with candied rose petals
8. Enjoy!

Chocolate Cherry Latte

Chocolate-covered cherries are a tried-and-true Valentine’s staple, but there’s no reason why the chocolate cherry combo has to be reserved for just candy. If you love chocolate-covered cherries, you’ll love this late-night adult-only coffee. 

What you need:

• 1 cup of your favorite coffee, freshly brewed
• 2 pumps of chocolate syrup
• A splash of maraschino cherry juice (about one tablespoon)
• Homemade whipped cream 
• 1 maraschino cherry (or more — because who can eat just one?!)
• Optional: Cherry brandy, to taste (start with one tablespoon)

What to do:

1. Fill your mug with your coffee and add the two pumps of chocolate syrup.
2. Stir well.
3. Pour the cherry juice into your mug.
4. If adding the brandy, add that next.
5. Add the whipped cream and top it off with a cherry or two.

Skip-the-Bouquet Rose-Infused Coffee

I know, roses are red, flowers are Valentine’s Day, but this Valentine-inspired coffee is so unique and flavorful. Rose water and spices like cardamom are frequently used in desserts in Northern Africa, and this coffee beverage ties them all together.

What you need:

• A French press coffee pot
• 6 cups of cold, filtered water
• ⅓ cup coffee (Turkish-style only for this recipe)
• 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon saffron 
• ⅓ cup rose water (usually available in the international aisles of most grocery stores)

What to do:

1. Combine your water and cardamom in a pot on the stove.
2. Boil the mixture. 
3. Pour the water/cardamom mixture into your French press coffee pot.
4. Let it sit for 2 minutes. 
5. Plunge.
6. Pour the coffee into a carafe.
7. Stir in the saffron and rose water.

Because of the aromatic spices and the strong nature of Turkish coffee, pair this coffee with a sweet pastry — a buttery shortbread cookie or cinnamon scone are the perfect matches!

Ready to Get Brewin’? 

What’s your favorite February-inspired coffee beverage? We’d love to hear!

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Kathryn is a self-proclaimed book nerd who has a passion for natural parenting and writing. As a homeschooling mother of two, Kathryn understands the dynamics of a busy family life. She is the founder of the Cor Domum movement, a mission that guides families through life so that they can parent with joy. Read more at  www.katietrudeau.com