How to Up Your At-Home Barista Game in 5 Simple Steps

Better quality water means better tasting coffee. If you don't typically drink water right out of the tap, don't brew coffee with it, either. For optimal results, opt to use filtered water to brew your morning coffee.

Coffee aficionados know that different brew methods extract a slightly different flavor, even from the exact same ground coffee. If you want your coffee to taste as strong as possible, a French press might be the way to go. Prefer a smoother flavor? Try the pour over method. And there's no doubt that K-Cup® pods for Keurig brewers yield the fastest cup of coffee in the game. Test out a few different methods to find your favorite.

You can't compete with the long menu at your local cafe if you don't have the same gadgets at your disposal. Adding a few tools to your arsenal can really up your game. Latte lovers might want to invest in a handheld milk frother, while a glass pitcher might come in handy for iced coffee fans.

Fill your cupboards with anything and everything you need to craft the ultimate drink. We're talking flavored syrups, alternative milks, various sweeteners, complementary spices — the works! Some biscotti or wafer cookies to enjoy with your homemade beverage wouldn't be a bad idea, either.