he home cafe trend has been taken over the Internet by a storm! What initially started off as an ASMR style video has now become something more tangible- a hosting trend where people become baristas for the day, turning the apartment into a free coffee shop for their friends!
While the trend of hosting is so back, people are experimenting with the maximalist and conceptual style of hosting at home. As they say, “playing pretends” as adults by having friends over for coffee”. Since the pandemic hit in 2020, most home-cooks and home- baristas have felt inspired to bring the magic of restaurants and cafes to their own homes. Think of it as a pop-up cafe with signature drinks, pastries, good music and your friends gathered to have a good time and create lasting memories.
How do I host my own Home-Cafe?
When you open up your own cafe, you are the boss, the owner, the barista and there are no rules to “set up the shop”. You can personalize the experience as much and as little as you want; the items and the menu are completely under your discretion. Consider the below points while planning your home-cafe-
1. Picking a theme- Bring your favourite cafés home! Whether it’s the charm of an old- school Irani café, or a modern Mumbai coffee bar, your theme will set the tone. You can even go for something trendy like a Korean dessert café or Chai-bar pop-up!
2. Craft your menu- Create 2–4 signature drinks using your favourite MONIN syrups, Caramel Cold Coffee or a Vanilla Iced Latte.
3. Add local bites- Set up a “snack counter” with crowd-pleasers like cookies, tea cakes, mini samosas, or fusion desserts, perfect café companions!
4. Add cozy details- Use fairy lights, flowers, hand-painted chalkboards, or even cafe playlists to create a warm, welcoming vibe that feels unique to you.
What to serve at the home-cafe?
Have fun with the drink menu. Craft a few simple but unforgettable drinks using your favourite MONIN syrups like Salted Maple Vanilla Iced Coffee, Brown Sugar Vanilla Whipped Coffee, Hazelnut Cold Coffee.
Add treats!
A cup of coffee is incomplete without a little treat. Bake or buy your treats, like Palmiers, Croissants, Danish pastries, biscuits or even freshly baked banana bread! Additionally, use cake stands, butter papers and colourful accessories to capture the coffee house vibe.
How do you prepare for this in advance?
Here are a few simple things you’ll want to keep handy while setting up your own home
café:
• A coffee brewing setup, whether it’s a drip machine, moka pot, or espresso maker.
• Milk or plant-based alternatives like almond, oat, or soy.
• A tea option for your friends who prefer chai over coffee.
• Ice, sweeteners, and toppings think of cinnamon, cocoa powder, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel.
• Café basics: Mugs, Napkins, Straws, and Stirrers.
• A speaker and playlist to set the mood.
Additional tips for home café party!
Set the mood with a playlist that matches your vibe, maybe some Indie acoustic tunes for a cozy coffee corner, or a tailored “Cup and Comfort” playlist by MONIN for a relaxed coffeehouse feel. Add a touch of charm with a handwritten menu board listing your signature MONIN drinks.
Your beverages will set the scene so make them flavorful and fun! Prepare cold coffee or iced chai in advance or try simple recipes you can make while chatting with friends.
Keep it simple or make it elaborate; what matters most is the joy of togetherness and the warmth of sharing good flavours.
A perfect companion to the perfect host
From first-time brewers to seasoned coffee-lovers, MONIN makes it simple to craft cafe- quality drinks right in your kitchen counter! Add flavour, variety and convenience to every cup with MONIN syrup and recipes. Here are a few recipes you can feature in your home cafe menu-
1. Salted Maple Vanilla Iced Latte: Indulge in a dreamy, iced latte layered with rich espresso, velvety vanilla and a hint of aromatic maple. Top it off with whipped cream and a dusting of coffee powder for the ultimate café-style sip at home
Ingredients:
• 2 shot Espresso
• 10 ML Maple Syrup
• A pinch of salt
• 100 ML Milk
• 4-5 ice-cubes
• 10 ML MONIN Vanilla syrup
Preparation:
1. In a glass, mix Espresso, Maple Syrup and a pinch of salt.
2. Fill the glass with ice, add MONIN Vanilla syrup, milk and the Espresso mix and stir it well.
2. Brown Sugar Vanilla Whipped Coffee: This creamy creation blends MONIN Vanilla for a smooth, café-style drink you can savour at home topped with whipped cream for that extra touch of indulgence. Why wait? Treat yourself to a moment of comfort.
Ingredients:
• 1 TBSP Brown Sugar
• ½ TBSP MONIN Vanilla Syrup
• 3 TBSP Instant Coffee
• 45 ML Warm Water
• Milk
• 4-5 ice-cubes
Preparation:
1. In a glass, add Brown Sugar, MONIN Vanilla syrup, instant coffee and warm water. Whisk it together with a milk frother.
2. Top it up with ice and milk of your choice.
3. Hazelnut Cold Coffee: This Hazelnut Iced Coffee blends bold espresso with the rich, roasted notes of MONIN Hazelnut Syrup, perfectly balanced over ice and milk. A refreshing pick-me-up with just the right touch of indulgence.
Ingredients:
• 20 ML MONIN Hazelnut
• 120 ML Milk
• 1 Shot Espresso
• 2-3 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
Preparation:
1. Pour MONIN Hazelnut Syrup into a glass
2. Add milk, a shot of espresso, and top with 2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
3. Serve immediately and savor the delightful combination.
4. Caramel Coffee Frappe: A fusion of bold coffee and buttery richness of MONIN Caramel. Enjoy pure cafe-style comfort in every sip at home with these easy steps.
Ingredients:
• 15 ML MONIN Caramel
• 120 ML Milk
• 1 Shot Espresso
• 1-2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
Preparation: Take a Blender, add MONIN Caramel Syrup, espresso shot, milk and ice- cream Blend for 30 sec. Pour.
5. Caramel Latte: Velvety milk, smooth espresso, and the rich sweetness of MONIN Caramel come together in perfect harmony, a comforting sip that feels like a gentle hug in a cup!
Ingredients:
• 15 ML MONIN Caramel
• 150 ML Hot Milk
• 1 Shot Espresso
Preparation: Take a cup, pull a shot of espresso, add MONIN Caramel syrup and steam the milk until it foams.
Home-Cafe is not just about Coffee
In the end, your home café isn’t just about coffee; it is about the joy of slowing down, creating, and sharing something special. With MONIN, every pour becomes a little sweeter, and every gathering feels like a warm hug in a cup. So, put on your playlist, pour your favourite brew, and let your home café come alive! Explore the full range of MONIN syrups now here.
Feel Inspired? Make one (or all) of these recipes at home and tag us on Instagram (@moninindia) and get a chance to be featured on our page!
