17 Gifts for the Friend Who Can’t Start Their Day Without Coffee
Coffee can be an essential part of travel—wouldn't trips to places like Italy, Turkey, or Vietnam be remiss without at least a few cups of the local brew? And when you're not vacationing, enjoying a warm cup of coffee at home can make you feel like you're back in your favorite travel destination. With the right coffee accessories, that perfect cup is possible to replicate from the comfort of your own kitchen. Below, we've rounded up 17 gift ideas for coffee lovers who aspire to be at-home coffee professionals or amateur hotel-room baristas.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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AeroPress Coffee/Espresso Maker
This portable and manual brewer is a favorite of baristas around the globe, and it will save caffeine-dependent travelers from suffering through another cup of watery coffee in the hotel lobby. The AeroPress uses a rapid immersion brewing process resulting in smooth, low-acidity coffee that is far less bitter than a French press. In addition to American-style coffee, the press does espresso and even cold brew. Its slim cylinder tucks neatly into a carry-on and would be fitting for any destination, from a rustic campsite to a regal hotel suite.
Hario Coffee Bean Hand Grinder
This portable grinder is another staple that will ensure their mug has the freshest taste possible, even on the road. Because it's hand-operated, it can be used virtually anywhere, no outlet required. The device works essentially like a pepper mill, with whole beans going in the top and coffee grounds collecting in the glass chamber below. Reviewers say that it easily makes two cups of drip coffee. Plus, the handle is removable for easy packing.
Kopi Mug and Warmer Set
Anyone who likes their coffee piping hot would be glad to get this Kopi warmer mug. Using magnetic induction to heat a metallic layering in the bottom of the mug, the Kopi keeps drinks warm all day, minus the burnt flavor some hot plates can add. While the set would likely be a welcome addition to any home office set-up, reviewers say the mug and warmer disc are also fairly packable. As a bonus, the bottom plate can double as a wireless phone charger—just make sure it cools first.
Driftaway Coffee Subscription
International travel might still be difficult right now, but sampling coffee from around the world doesn't have to be. Driftaway's subscription boxes send a monthly selection of single-origin beans—from the likes of Guatemala, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Uganda—right to your doorstep. To start, members are sent a tasting kit in order to identify their favorite types of roasts and customize their boxes. And the selection is definitely a step above grocery store blends: All of Driftaway's coffee is purchased from small-batch farmers around the world, and each box includes information on the story of the farmer who grew that month's beans.
Hario Cold Brew Bottle
Is the coffee lover in your life committed to cold brew, even in sub-zero temperatures? Then this Hario coffee bottle is a must-have. The wine-sized bottle makes five cups of cold brew in eight hours—they just have to fill the center mesh filter with their favorite grounds, add water, and let it sit overnight. The silicone spout on top simplifies pouring, while the glass is heat-proof and extra durable, should they want to bring the whole contraption along on their next trip.
The World Atlas of Coffee
This is the definitive handbook to all things coffee. In addition to step-by-step guides for every home-brewing method imaginable, the atlas details the history and taste profiles of the world's best coffee-producing regions. It also “covers where coffee is grown, the people who grow it and the cultures in which it is a way of life,” says Bookshop.org. New countries included in this expanded edition are: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, China, Philippines, Thailand, Haiti, and Puerto Rico.
La Colombe Cool Beans Gift Box
If you're shopping for a cold brew fan, opt for La Colombe's Cool Beans gift box. It comes with medium and light-roasted coffee beans perfect for making your own iced coffee at home. There are three types of beans inside—Afrique, Frogtown, and Colombia San Roque—each of which offers a unique flavor and style.
Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker
When it comes to Italian-style coffee, the stovetop Moka pot is hard to beat: It's been a staple in kitchens throughout Italy and beyond since its invention in 1933. This small aluminum wonder is a beloved classic for its ultra-strong, espresso-like coffee and its low-tech engineering. Water is placed in the bottom chamber and as it boils, steam forces the hot water up through the coffee filter fitted in the middle of the device. Brewed coffee collects in the carafe on top. The metal pot looks great on a countertop and travels well, too. In fact, author Namwali Serpell told us that she takes one with her almost everywhere.
Stoiva Double Wall Insulated Glass Cups
Espresso lovers know it's all about the experience. This set of insulated glass mugs makes you feel like you're drinking espresso at your favorite café while in your very own kitchen. They are the perfect size to fit under most coffee makers or espresso machines and keep your coffee piping hot. These thermal glass cups are also stackable to make storing them easy when you don't have guests over.
Corksicle Classic Tumbler
Your coffee cup is almost as important as what's inside. An insulated tumbler is essential to keep drinks at the perfect temperature—this one keeps drinks cold for more than nine hours and hot for three, plus, it is easy to grip and the lid is shatter-proof. Available in almost 30 colors and several sizes, Corkcicle's Classic Tumbler is an everyday must-have that any coffee regular will appreciate.
Le Labo Coffee Body Scrub
For the beauty and skincare enthusiasts in your life who are also coffee lovers, Le Labo's body scrub combines all of their favorite things. The scrub uses a blend of plant-based ingredients like coffee seed extract, sunflower oil, and sunflower seeds to gently exfoliate skin, leaving it feeling smooth and rejuvenated.
Hola Rico Electric Milk Frother and Steamer
Recreate the experience of enjoying a cappuccino in Rome in the comfort of your own home with this milk frother. Latte and cappuccino lovers can steam their own choice of milk to perfection with this frother's convenient memory function. It remembers your previous setting to keep your coffee's foam consistent and just right every time. You can customize temperature and thickness for airy or silky milk foam, and can be used to make a cup of hot cocoa during the holiday season.
Clevr The Latte Lovers Kit
Anyone serious about their caffeine needs to try this Latte Lovers Kit. It comes with four SuperLatte flavors—matcha and coffee to sip in the morning, and chai and golden to unwind before bed—that can be made hot, iced, added into smoothies, or shaken up in a Thermos with water. The bundle also includes a USB rechargeable frother, travel mug, wooden measuring scoop, and a jar of flower sprinkles to add to your drink.
Acaia Pearl Weighing Scale
Coffee enthusiasts will be happy to add the Acaia Pearl Weighing Scale to their kitchen set-up: It quickly weighs coffee grinds for more accurate brewing, so you get a more consistent taste each time. It's built with a real-time flow-rate indicator that teaches you to control your pouring and brew coffee like a barista.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker
It's a classic for a reason: The Chemex pour-over is simple to use and yields smooth, delicious coffee with every brew. A paper filter with coffee grounds goes right into the top cone, followed by boiling water. This eight-cup version is a solid foundation for any at-home morning coffee ritual, and Chemex even says that the minimalist hourglass design allows for coffee to be covered, refrigerated, and reheated without losing any of flavor.
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle
If they're interested in pour-over, then they'll need a kettle. An electric version makes things easy—especially this one from Fellow, which has a dial to set the water's exact temperature. Other convenient features include the angled spout for precise pouring and a warmer mode that maintains the water temperature for up to one hour. At-home baristas striving for truly professional brews will also make use of the kettle's built-in stop watch, which allows them to time any pour-over down to the second.
Starbucks Syrup Variety Pack
While there are plenty of local coffee shops worthy of exploring on the road, sometimes, you just want to taste something familiar. Loyal Starbucks customers can recreate their favorite drinks at home with this syrup variety pack. The set comes with vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut sweeteners that will zhuzh up any at-home iced coffees and lattes, and make them taste just as good (or better) than your usual Starbucks order.
