Espresso Essentials: Creating the Perfect Coffee Routine at Home

Everything I have and love and how to make my go-to morning coffee

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly brewed espresso filling the kitchen first thing in the morning. My morning coffee ritual has always been sacred—a small pocket of time just for me and my husband before the day gets hectic. It’s like taking a deep breath at the very beginning of the day. I live for the moment that I get my first sip of coffee. Over the years, we’ve gone from a classic drip coffee maker to a French press to a pour over and finally to - as most coffee enthusiasts eventually will - an espresso machine. It’s definitely an investment, but in my opinion, one that pays for itself over time. I prefer our at-home coffee to any shop around. And I especially love that I don’t have to drive anywhere. If you’re looking to upgrade your at-home coffee experience, here are the essentials that I swear by.

1. The Breville Barista Express

At the heart of our ritual is the Breville Barista Express. This machine strikes the perfect balance between ease of use and also making high-quality espresso. With an integrated grinder, precise temperature control, and fast heat-up time, it makes pulling a shot feel effortless (after about 100 YouTube tutorials watched and botched shots pulled). I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that there was a learning curve here. Whether I’m making a quick Americano before school or enjoying a leisurely weekend latte, this machine delivers consistently delicious espresso every time. I would confess that I am still trying to perfect my milk steaming technique for pretty latte art. It tastes good every time, but I have yet to end up with something instagram worthy.

2. A Funnel Attachment for the Portafilter

One small but mighty tool that has transformed what was once a very messy process is a funnel attachment for the portafilter. This thing is a game changer. If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of coffee grounds spilling over the sides while tamping, this is the solution. It keeps my counter clean and ensures that every bit of coffee makes it into the portafilter. It’s such a simple addition but makes a huge difference in minimizing mess and it makes the ritual of espresso-making so much more enjoyable.

3. The Perfect Mugs

Let’s be honest—half the joy of coffee is in the experience, and that includes the mug. I love having a small collection of mugs that feel just right in my hands. I lean on generously sized mugs for cozy sipping. I like to brew my espresso directly into a mug, so having the right that will fit is really important. I always reach for my favorite thrifted blue spongeware mug (this set looks similar, but not quite the same), but I also love having a collection of neutral mugs that sit out all the time. They complement my kitchen and I really love how these feel in my hands. My husband has placed me on a mug buying ban, but if I could I would snatch these up so fast.

4. Plain White Flour Sack Towels for Cleanup

Espresso-making can be a messy business, but a stack of plain white flour sack towels keeps my coffee corner clean and functional. I prefer these simple white towels because they’re easy to bleach and refresh when needed. And they’re an inexpensive, replaceable investment. They’re perfect for wiping down the steam wand and catching (inevitable) spills.

5. Quality, But Affordable Coffee Beans

Quality coffee needs quality beans to start off. We’re not bean snobs, and we often buy our whole beans from Aldi. They have both a Colombian Roast and Peruvian Roast that are great. We just stocked up on these beans through Amazon (for convenience - hello prime!) and we’ve really been enjoying them. I always lean on amazon reviews when buying something new and the reviews love the beans too. We have the Colombia, Medium Roast.

5. How I Make My Go-To Morning Coffee: An Americano

My everyday coffee of choice is a classic Americano—smooth, bold, and just the right amount of strong to start my day. A bonus is that it’s really hard to mess it up. Here’s how I make it in my Breville and I’ve never had a better cup of coffee:

1. Pull a double shot of espresso into your favorite mug.

2. Move the mug over to the hot water dispenser and turn the lever to add 6-8 ounces of hot water. You can adjust this a lot based on how strong you like your coffee.

3. Add milk to taste. I don't even heat it up because I'm generally in a hurry in the morning. I just fill to the brim.

4. The most important step: Enjoy!

Creating a Coffee Ritual That Works for You

Having the right tools makes all the difference when it comes to enjoying homemade espresso, but the real magic is in the ritual. Whether it’s grinding the beans, steaming milk, or taking that first sip in the quiet of the morning, creating a space for your coffee routine can be a simple but meaningful part of the day.

If you’re looking to elevate your home espresso game, these essentials are a great place to start. Do you have a must-have coffee accessory? Let me know in the comments—I love discovering new ways to perfect my coffee routine!