How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee at Home
“Brighten up your days with a simple coffee ritual. ”
Making coffee at home eases us into the day, and sets the tone for productivity and inspiration. For some, brewing a morning cup offers a sense of ritual or routine and can lead to moments of reflection and creativity; many passersby sip with a notebook or a dream journal alongside them. Sitting on her couch with her coffee in tow, Emily Didonato writes, “I start my day by writing three things that I am grateful for [in my blue Moleskine], and after that, I start writing my to-do list.”
Producer Mimi Packer echoes this sentiment. “I wake up at 8 AM unless I have an early morning gig scheduled,” she says. “I crawl to my beloved coffee maker (Mecraft White Ceramic Pour Over Coffee Dripper), jot down my dreams, or journal in my Muji notebook.” And illustrator Ariel Roman, too, pairs her coffee with a notebook: she sips her morning cup in her studio or at her desk, where she likes “to look over the previous day’s to-do list and make a new one.”
Developing a coffee routine can also provide an opportunity for calm and mindfulness. As entrepreneur Jessica Assaf tells us, “making coffee is my morning meditation.” While we continue to move forward appreciating mornings at home, you can start brewing the perfect cup with recommendations from past Passersby.
coffee
Variety Coffee
recommended by Cara Flaherty, Leta Sobierajski, Rachel Howe, Pamela Garavano-Coolbaugh, Christina Crawford, Molly Surno, and Soraya Ahoubim
Variety Coffee Roasters is an all-time favorite for many. In our Reality Bites series, chef, Christina Crawford tells us she always has Variety beans stocked in her pantry, while artist and curator Molly Surno names the coffee her favorite in NYC. You can order Variety’s ethically sourced blends through their website—they also offer filters, kettles, carafes, and grinders if you’re looking to go all in.
Puff Coffee
recommended by Christina Crawford
This “itsy bitsy teeny weeny coffee company” roasts beans daily and is only available online. Their mission is to “find, roast, and deliver the most delicious coffees you’ll be able to find anywhere.” Coffee beans are sourced from Guatemala and Ethiopia, and devout fans can also snag graphic tees and other merch through their site.
Rook Coffee
recommended by Courtney Preiss
Creating “ridiculously good coffee,” Rook was founded by childhood friends Holly and Shawn in 2010. They focus on quality, simplicity, and experience, inspiring a genuine human connection. Find their beans at 11 locations in New Jersey or online.
Stumptown Coffee
recommended by Mariana Orkenyi and shino takeda
With cafes in Portland, New York, Los Angeles, and Kyoto, Stumptown Coffee also ships their beans nationwide so they’re a superb option, no matter where you are located. Blends are available in 12-ounce bags or in bulk, and there’s a subscription option available for those whose nightmares consist of running out of coffee.
Cafe Grumpy
recommended by Atafeh Karimi
Roasted in Brooklyn, Cafe Grumpy works directly with specialty coffee growers who share their commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation. Beans are sourced from all over the world, and you can choose between whole beans and grounds for a french press, espresso, or filter.
machines
Chemex Pourover Coffeemaker
recommended by Clémence Vazard, Kimberly Ho, Christina Crawford, Lindsey Tramuta, and Jessica Assaf
A number of women all swear by a Chemex for the perfect cup. Kimberly Ho, who has “a ritual around [her] morning coffee” likes it for its simplicity. If you’re looking for a smooth and bright cup, a pourover is an option that delivers it with ease.
Nespresso EN80B Machine
recommended by Claire McDonald and Emily DiDonato
This little coffee maker heats up quickly so there’s no delay for your morning cup. Producer Claire McDonald sips a nespresso each morning while Model Emily Didonato uses the machine to make her daily iced double espresso. It comes with 14 ‘welcome capsules’ so you can sample a range of coffee flavors before committing to just one.
Bialetti Express Moka Pot
recommended by Carolina Santos Neves
For more flavor and a fuller-bodied taste, a Bialetti might be the move. Over the past 80 years, the Italian brand has fermented its status as the maker of classic stovetop espresso machines. And they come in a variety of sizes, so fare well whether you’re making a cup for 1 or for 12. Chef Carolina Santos Neves tells us, “I’m a huge coffee person, so I’ll make myself a coffee with my Bialetti.”
Aeropress Coffee Maker
recommended by Ally Russell and Beverly Nguyen
For small kitchens and road trips, the Aeropress Coffee Maker is “durable, lightweight, and compact,” ideal for any coffee drinker who enjoys “a rich and smooth cup of coffee without acidity or bitterness.” London-based comic book writer Ally Russell enjoys her Aeropress coffee alongside a banana and cashew milk smoothie.
incorporating herbs & adaptogens
Moon Juice Brain Dust
recommended by Hallie Gould
Editor and writer Hallie Gould enjoys mixing her coffee with this adaptogenic blend that is “said to increase mental flow.” The combination of Lion’s Mane, Ginkgo, Rhodiola, Ashwagandha and more supports alertness, concentration, and healthy blood flow. “I figure it can’t hurt,” Hallie says.
Califia’s Coffee Creamer
recommended by Courtney Preiss
Califia Farms offers a range of plant-based creamers to elevate your morning cup, including almond milk, oat milk, and coconut cream. There are also flavors like hazelnut, vanilla, and pecan. Writer Courtney Preiss pairs hers with Rook Coffee’s Nicaragua blend.
Sol Raiz Organic Maca Root Powder
recommended by Jessica Assaf
Boosting physical and mental energy levels while promoting healthy adrenal function, Sol Raiz Organic Maca Root Powder is a favorite of Jessica’s: “I usually make Bulletproof coffee, which includes MCT oil, collagen, grass-fed butter, Sol Raiz Organics Maca Root Powder and a little cinnamon,” she says. The powder can also be stirred in oatmeal or a morning smoothie.
Dandelion Chicory “Coffee”
recommended by Ariel Roman
A caffeine-free option, dandelion chicory “coffee” offers similar flavors to your favorite beans. You’ll need chicory and dandelion root powder to make your cup, which can be purchased through Mountain Rose Herbs.
Words by Stephanie Mace