25 Perfect Gifts for Every Coffee Lover
Much like oenophiles, devoted coffee drinkers are an exacting breed, with their preferences for specific coffee beans and opinions on the ideal temperature for drinking their morning brew. Finding a present for these connoisseurs can seem impossible, which is why we tapped some top coffee experts — writers, coffee shop owners and recipe developers — to share their favorites for the java-obsessed.
For the one who wants coffee at its freshest
Atmos Vacuum Canister
$40 AT Fellow
$40 AT Amazon
Regularly undervalued, says Roderick Boerma, director of food and beverage at Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection in Costa Rica, is the freshness of coffee. “We often forget,” he says. “ These stylish containers help provide that solution.” Simply twist the lid to remove oxygen from the canister, keeping coffee at its freshest. Beans can stay top-tier for twice as long. “We use these in our daily operations,” Boerma says. Sleek and modern, they can blend in with most kitchen décor, too.
For the coffee drinker who can't get enough
Coffee Gift Subscription
$66 AT Drink Trade
“You really can't go wrong with a bean subscription, and Trade is my favorite,” says Nick Ngyuen, a New York City- and Seattle-based barista. Subscriptions from Trade are personalized to suit the giftee's tastes — and, better yet, the coffee is roasted-to-order and delivered when needed. Subscriptions come in three-, six-, and 12-month durations, and gifters can choose from 450 coffee blends through 55 roasters. “It's something I hope someone gets me this year,” Ngyuen says.
For the one who prefers it simple
Handmade Costa Rica Pour Over Coffee Brewer
$65 AT Amazon
Coffee doesn't have to be complicated to be good, Boerma says. This chorreador — a style of coffee dripper commonly found in Costa Rican households — is hand-crafted in Costa Rica and made from sustainable teak. Compact, high-quality and sleek-looking, it's an easy and user-friendly alternative for coffee drinkers who prefer to avoid complicated electronics. For Boerma, this “simple” brewer gets to the heart of Costa Rican coffee drinking, which is centered around the actual coffee more than the process.
For the one who can't decide
Coffee Sampler
$24 AT Bean Box
The indecisive coffee drinker will fall head-over-heels for this Bean Box sampler , which offers a petite taste of three curated whole-bean coffees. “It's nice to gift something that people can make and, ultimately, turn into a ritual for themselves,” says Francesco Sardelli, General Manager at The Hari , a luxury hotel in London. Samplers come with tasting notes and brewing tips for “a selection of different blends, roasts or origins,” Sardelli says. “It's a mini coffee adventure,” ideal for the enthusiast who can't quite commit.
For the space-conscious doser
Subscale Digital Coffee Dosing Cup
$50 AT Subminimal
The easiest way to get the proper ratio for your morning cup is to weigh the beans, especially when it comes to espresso. If they don't already have a gram-accurate kitchen scale, consider gifting them the Subscale from Subminimal . The black plastic cup packs a hidden LED display and scale, so they can pour their beans right in without needing a separate vessel. And because it's IPX4 splash-resistant and rated to handle boiling liquids for up to two hours, they can even pull their espresso shots directly into the cup.
Portable coffee press
Original Coffee Maker
$40 AT Target
$34.99 AT Amazon
While they may rely on a drip machine at home, it’s not always easy to find good coffee when traveling. With this well-priced device , your gift recipient can make a great cup (or two or three), simply by pushing down on the plunger. “It’s portable and durable, and produces a unique brew that’s a crossover between espresso and traditional drip,” says Patrice Angwenyi, founder of HustleBlendz in Fort Worth, Texas. “It’s also a great tool for cold brew lovers because it cuts down steep time to a few minutes, due to its optimized contact of the coffee grounds in water.” After pouring grinds into the chamber, all they’ll need to do is add water, stir and then gently press with the plunger to extract the coffee into their cup.
For the Aeropress-skeptic
Brew Rapid Brewer
$39.99 AT Amazon
Oxo is now playing on the same turf as the Aeropress with its Rapid Brewer . The all-in-one solution has them add coffee, tamp it down and then add water — either hot or cold, depending on their preference — before using the plunger on top to push out concentrated coffee, ready to be diluted with water or milk. It's a clever product that takes some of the Aeropress's room for human error out of the equation.
Compact cold brew
Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
This is the best cold brew maker if space is at a premium and you don’t drink tons of coffee. Markings on the carafe and brew basket make it easy to measure the grounds and water.
$35 AT OXO $34.99 AT AmazonOxo’s Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a great gift for someone who loves cold brew but has limited kitchen space. It makes 16 ounces of concentrate as great-tasting as our other top picks from our testing , and the pieces nest together when they’re not in use to free up room.
Cafe-quality frother
Milk Frother
With simple controls and a moderate price, this plug-in appliance turns out top-quality foam, making it our top frother.
$35 AT Walmart $34.99 AT AmazonYou can’t make an at-home cappuccino without its fluffy white crown, and for that you need a powerful milk frother. Instant Pot’s Milk Frother is the one that Alfredo Livas, co-founder of La Monarca Bakery & Cafe in Los Angeles, swears by (and it was the favorite in our testing , too). “It’s the best way to create that cafe experience at home,” he says. “I love that this frother has multiple settings” — like whipping cold milk into foam and a warming-only function — “and is simple to use with just the touch of a button.”
Thoughtfully designed kettle
Stagg Pour-Over Kettle
$90 AT Fellow
$90 AT Amazon
If you’re wondering what goes well with a coffee mug gift, how about a kettle that doesn’t just boil water but will also tell them the exact temperature? A built-in thermometer is one reason pour-over devotees will love this version from Fellow , which also features a weighty, counterbalanced handle for an incredibly smooth and even pour. But for Kaleena Teoh, co-founder of Coffee Project New York , the real highlight — and what makes this kettle such a great present — is the precision pour spout. “The gooseneck shape helps regulate water flow efficiently,” she says. “That gives you better control over how fast or slow your flow rate is when making coffee,” resulting in even extraction of the grinds for consistency of flavor.
Hefty, handmade mug
The Mug
$44 AT East Fork
Anyone whose coffee mug has been through the dishwasher so many times they can’t even tell what souvenir shop it’s from is due for an upgrade. And according to Nicholas Simon, co-founder of New York City’s El Condor Coffee Roasters , you’ll never go wrong with the ruggedly beautiful versions from Asheville, North Carolina’s East Fork Pottery . At 12 ounces, they’re quite solid pieces, but also elegant with their earth-tone glazes in colors like morel and panna cotta. Says Simon, “They make the coffee taste even better because they provide additional comfort and warmth to the experience.”
Reusable K-Cup pods
Reusable K Cup Coffee Filters
$13.99 AT Amazon
Do you have someone in your life that just won’t give up their Keurig machine? You can help them at least improve their morning routine, and create less waste, with this set of reusable capsules . Compatible with most K-cup machines, these BPA-free cups are designed to be filled with the recipient’s favorite ground coffee and used over and over again. The included scoop measures out the perfect amount of coffee each time. Bundle it with their favorite coffee for an even more special gift.
Supersmart scale
Tally Pro Precision Scale, Studio Edition
$190 AT Fellow
$190 AT Amazon
A scale is an essential kitchen tool for making pour-over coffee as you need to measure out the right ratio of water to ground beans. Fellow’s Tally Pro is made just for that. The 0.1-gram accurate scale has a mode that lets you set your preferred recipe and then displays the target weight of the water relative to the weight of the coffee, and how much you’ve poured. A built-in timer allows for even finer dialing-in of the process.
Coffee atlas
The World Atlas of Coffee: From Beans to Brewing — Coffees Explored, Explained and Enjoyed
$37 AT Bookshop
$30 AT Amazon
There’s a good chance that if your giftee is into coffee and has ever opened up YouTube, they’ve come across James Hoffman . The well coiffed-Brit is known for his obsessive explorations of all things coffee, from roasting to brewing to enjoying the final cup. You can share some of that expertise with the Hoffman-head in your life with a copy of his book, “ The World Atlas of Coffee: From Beans to Brewing — Coffees Explored, Explained and Enjoyed .” The 272-page volume takes readers across the globe to better understand where their coffee comes from, and what geographic differences mean for the final product.
High-end cold brew maker
uKeg Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker
$249.95 AT Amazon
Anyone who springs for a barista-made daily iced coffee will be delighted with an at-home GrowlerWerks machine that produces up to 12 cups of cold brew at a time with barely any effort. Laban Njuguna, co-founder and CEO of Zabuni Specialty Coffee Auction , loves both its price point and size (small enough to fit in a regular fridge), not to mention the quality of the brew. “Specialty coffee is about an experience and not just consumption for the sake of it,” he says. “The foamy and creamy nature of this nitro cold brew helps a drinker experience the different nuances of coffee.” If you’re looking to give a more traditional cold brew maker, check out our guide to the best models .
Smooth-brewing filter
Shimmy Coffee Sieve
$45 AT Fellow
Coffee grinders are essential for the freshest cup of coffee, but they don’t always produce a consistent grind size — and any “microfines” can muddy the brew. The solution, according to Ashley Rodriguez, creator of the “ Boss Barista ” podcast and online platform, is Fellow’s coffee sieve , which your giftees might not think to buy for themselves. “Sifters like the Shimmy separate out the big and small particles,” she says. Similar to cooking, where uniform knife cuts can ensure your food cooks evenly, “sifted coffee grounds will end up brewing evenly and bringing out all the beautiful flavors in your coffee,” she adds. “It might seem finicky to sift — I’ll only do it if I have a lazy morning to sit with my coffee — but the flavor clarity is truly outstanding.”
Cups for the espresso lover
Double Wall Espresso Glass, Set of 2
$40 AT Kruve
$40 AT Amazon
Whiskey drinkers have specialized glassware ; shouldn’t espresso fans have their own, too? Enter the Kruve Propel . Sold in a giftable set of two, this double-walled glass is specifically designed to enhance drinking a perfectly poured shot of espresso, from its thick base that keeps the drinker’s hand cool — and the coffee hot — to the large gap between the top of the crema and the rim of the glass for directing flavor and aroma.
Travel mug
Rambler HotShot
The leakproof Yeti Rambler HotShot has impressive temperature retention and durability, making it great for nearly every coffee drinker.
$30 AT Yeti $30 AT AmazonWe extensively tested travel mugs to find the best for every use, and Yeti’s Rambler HotShot came out on top. Available in an 18-ounce capacity, the HotShot kept coffee hot in our testing, of course, and was also super durable. The coffee comes out of the center of the cap, which may sound like a mess waiting to happen, but actually works well because it allows the drinker to enjoy from whichever side without having to find the opening.
Retro milk frother
Milk Frother
This countertop unit offers superior foam, a variety of modes and a stylish design.
$250 AT Nordstrom $249.95 AT AmazonIf you really want to wow the latte or cappuccino lover in your life, give them the Smeg Milk Frother . Not only did it make better microfoam than any other countertop frother in our testing , but it also has a beautiful retro-style design and comes in a variety of cool colors.
Cheeky cream dispenser
Porcelain Cow Creamer
$20 AT Sur La Table
Consider this Porcelain Cow Creamer for the coffee lover with a sense of humor. The 6-inch long, 3-inch wide vessel has an opening along the bovine’s back and her tail forms a handle big enough to get a finger through. The milk pours from her mouth, and since it’s safe for temperatures up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, they can even use it for non-coffee related dressing. Beef gravy, anyone?
Cult-favorite coffee warmer
Mug2, 10 ounce
$129.95 AT Amazon
No one needs an electric mug to keep their java at a just-right drinking temperature, but that’s what makes it such a popular gift, says Ashley Summers , a pastry chef and recipe developer based in Albany, New York. “The Ember is definitely a splurge, but it’s perfect for someone who already has it all,” she says. The tech-enabled vessel allows them to set their preferred temperature using an app. It lights up when it’s reached the ideal heat level and it keeps their coffee warm “no matter how long it takes to finish that cup.” It holds a charge for over an hour, according to the manufacturer, or can be plugged in to stay hot indefinitely.
Babka from NYC
The Best of Babka
$30 AT Goldbelly
Few treats go better with coffee than babka. Thanks to Goldbelly, you can send your favorite coffee lover a set of the sweet braided bread — one chocolate, one cinnamon — from New York City’s famous Russ & Daughters, to anywhere in the U.S. Each cake serves six to eight people and they arrive ready to be eaten with a hot cup of joe.
High-end drip machine
Aiden Precision Coffee Maker
$370 AT Fellow
$369.95 AT Amazon
Know someone who needs to replace the hot-plate coffee maker they’ve had since their first apartment? Give them a big upgrade with the Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker , our favorite coffee maker for connoisseurs. It makes a great pot of coffee — the most important thing — and it can also produce a single cup at a time and make cold brew.
Cold brew cup
Voyager Tumbler
Consider this lightweight tumbler with a flip top if you care most about keeping your iced coffee completely cool.
$22 AT AmazonOur writer named the Simple Modern Voyager Tumbler the best iced coffee travel mug thanks to its superior cold retention. It comes with two reusable straws, crucial for enjoying cold brew or any other iced drinks. Available in three sizes and 21 colors and patterns, there’s a design to match anyone’s tastes, and the structural shape has just enough character to express a sense of elegance without being flashy.
Water that works wonders
Classic Profile Mineral Supplement
$15 AT Amazon
It may sound odd to suggest better water as a present, but coffee pros know that this ingredient makes all the difference. “A cup of regular drip coffee is made up of approximately 98% water, so it’s important to pay attention to water quality, and especially the minerals in the water,” says Teoh, who suggests Third Wave Water as that insider-y gift. “It comes in prepackaged mineral packets that complement and enhance the flavors in coffee. You add a pack into one gallon of distilled water to get the right ratio of minerals to brew coffee,” she says. According to Teoh, these packets are also often used in coffee competitions to ensure consistency in brewing.
— Additional reporting by Nick Guy
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