5 Instant-Coffee Add-Ons to Spruce up Your Drink

Instant coffee has its benefits. It is really quick and easy to whip up . . . but it does lack the aroma and full flavor of properly brewed coffee. However, for many, instant coffee is part of daily life. If you are one of the hordes drinking instant coffee each morning, for whatever reason, here are a few ways to turn it into a better beverage.

Add chocolate goodness. Turn your average cup of Joe into a mocha delight by mixing a teaspoon or two of cocoa into a tablespoon of instant coffee granules. A little sugar to taste, top off with hot water and you have a delightful drink. If you add milk, that just adds to the flavor!

Try different blends. You never know, you might just find a great instant coffee! Stay away from the really cheap brands, since those tend to be the ones that hold bitterness and tend to be fairly acidic. Since everyone is different, you will have to experiment with the various brands until you find one that suits your palate.

Whip it up. Make your normal cup of coffee, leaving a little space at the top. Heat couple of teaspoons of milk in the microwave until hot, but not boiling. Now, use a mixer or a whisk to whip the milk into a froth. Pour this slowly into your coffee. You can whip the whole thing, if you want extra foam.

Add flavoring. A dash of your favorite extract can do wonders for a dull cup of coffee. Experiment with different flavors . . . just don't go overboard. A couple of drops of extract is usually all you need to add a new taste sensation. If you add too much, try making more coffee and diluting the first cup.

Create a coffee chai. With a few simple ingredients, you can turn your regular instant coffee into a really tasty chai-style drink. You will need 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules, 1 teaspoon milk powder (soy milk powder will work, too), 1 teaspoon sugar, a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and a dash of pepper. Mix these together in a large mug and add hot water. It tastes even better if you let it sit for a few minutes.

There's no reason to just accept regular, not so great instant coffee. Use your imagination and you'll likely come up with plenty more options for spicing up that morning cup of instant Joe!