This $3 Milk Frother From Ikea Stopped My Expensive Coffee-Buying Habit

Confession: making a cup of coffee in the morning has never been my forte. I would always start out with the best intentions, vowing and hoping things would be different this day — maybe if I switched out my milk or added more spices I'd be a little more excited about it? But after my classic routine of mixing a spoonful of instant with some hot water and splashing some fresh-out-of-the-fridge soy or almond milk on top (and maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon if I was feeling fancy), I would wind up with a lukewarm, somewhat watery, and not very flavorful cup of joe. So, naturally, I often resorted to buying a fresh one whenever I left the house.

Enter: my milk frother. Now, I bought this device on a whim from Ikea during a shopping spree for new dishes and, to be totally honest, didn't touch it for months after. Boy, was that a mistake. When I rediscovered it not too long ago, it was right at the start of Fall when I was dying to make a homemade oat milk latte and was excited that this little guy might do the trick. I followed a recipe online for that and a mocha, and basically combined the two to make my drink. I warmed some oat milk, a spoonful of cocoa powder, another of coconut sugar, and finished it off with a solid dose of cinnamon. When they seemed heated enough, I dipped the frother in and went to town.

Not only did the device get the milk mixture to actually fully combine (something a basic spoon was not doing so well), it also frothed it up to foamy perfection. I poured it over some instant coffee grounds and basically was in awe at my newfound at-home Starbucks. Oh, and it was delicious.

Since then, I've gotten slightly more creative, experimenting with an at-home pumpkin spice latte as well as a few other combos. And I haven't bought a cup of coffee out since. So not only do I get excited to jump out of bed in the morning at the prospect of this special time with my warm, heavenly drink, but my bank account is feeling pretty great too. Keep reading to see more of my beloved milk frother (and to buy one for yourself!).