French Press Coffee Recipes: 20 Café-Style Drinks You Can Make at Home

A French press can help you make more than your morning black coffee. With a few extra ingredients, you can turn a fresh brew into a creamy latte, chocolate mocha or iced vanilla coffee.

These 20 French press coffee recipes include ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions. Start with the brewing guide, then choose a drink. Most recipes make one serving; the cold brew recipe makes a batch.

Start Here: How to Brew the French Press Coffee

Use regular-strength coffee for drinks with a splash of cream or flavouring. For lattes and mochas, make a stronger batch so the coffee holds up when you add milk.

What You Need

• Regular coffee: 30 g coarsely ground coffee and 480 ml water, a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio.
• Strong coffee: 30 g coarsely ground coffee and 350 ml water.
• A French press with enough room for the water and grounds.
• A kettle, scale, timer and spoon.
• A jug or second mug for any extra brewed coffee.

The finished yield will be lower than the water you add because the grounds absorb some of it.

Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions

1. Warm the press. Swirl some warm water around the carafe, then empty it.
2. Add the coffee. Measure your coarse grounds into the empty press.
3. Pour in the water. Use water around 93–96°C (200–205°F). Start the timer as you pour.
4. Stir gently. Make sure all the grounds are wet.
5. Let it steep. Put the lid on with the plunger raised. Leave until the timer reaches four minutes.
6. Press slowly. Lower the plunger with gentle, steady pressure. If it resists, stop rather than forcing it.
7. Pour out the coffee. Measure what you need for your recipe and transfer any extra to another vessel.

A coarse grind and four-minute steep are practical starting points, also used in Bodum’s French press guidance. Adjust your next batch to suit your beans and taste.

How to Froth Milk

A handheld frother is convenient, but a suitable French press can also foam milk.

1. Pour all the brewed coffee into a jug.
2. Empty the grounds and wash the carafe and filter thoroughly.
3. Warm the milk in a saucepan until steaming gently, without boiling.
4. Add it to the clean press, filling no more than one-third of the carafe. Follow your manufacturer’s guidance on using it for milk.
5. Hold the lid securely and move the plunger up and down with short, controlled strokes until the milk becomes foamy.
6. Pour the milk into your coffee and spoon the foam over the top.

For small amounts of milk that the filter cannot reach, use a handheld frother or whisk.

Hot Classic French Press Coffee Recipes

1. French Press Americano-Style Coffee

This diluted strong coffee is inspired by an Americano, which is traditionally made with espresso.

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 120 ml strong French press coffee
• 120 ml hot water, plus more to taste

Instructions

1. Brew a batch of strong coffee using the guide above.
2. Pour 120 ml hot water into a mug.
3. Add 120 ml brewed coffee and stir gently.
4. Taste and add a little more hot water if you prefer a lighter drink.

2. French Press Latte

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 120 ml strong French press coffee
• 180 ml milk
• Sugar or syrup, optional

Instructions

1. Brew the strong coffee and measure 120 ml into a large mug.
2. Stir in sugar or syrup, if using.
3. Warm the milk until gently steaming.
4. Froth it using the method above or a handheld frother.
5. Pour the warm milk into the coffee, holding back some foam with a spoon.
6. Spoon the remaining foam over the top and serve.

3. Classic French Press Mocha

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 120 ml strong French press coffee
• 120 ml milk
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1–2 teaspoons sugar
• Whipped cream and chocolate shavings, optional

Instructions

1. Brew the coffee and set aside 120 ml.
2. Put the cocoa powder and sugar into a mug.
3. Add a small splash of hot coffee and stir into a smooth paste.
4. Stir in the remaining coffee.
5. Warm the milk in a saucepan, then pour it into the mug and mix well.
6. Finish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if using.

Making a cocoa paste first helps prevent dry lumps in the finished drink.

4. French Press Cortado-Style Coffee

Makes: 1 small serving

Ingredients

• 60 ml strong French press coffee
• 60 ml milk

Instructions

1. Brew the strong coffee.
2. Warm the milk gently without boiling. There is no need to froth it.
3. Pour 60 ml coffee into a small heatproof glass.
4. Add 60 ml warm milk and stir gently.

This follows the equal-parts coffee-and-milk idea of a cortado, though French press coffee gives a different result from espresso.

5. Honey Oat Milk Latte

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 120 ml strong French press coffee
• 180 ml oat milk
• 1 teaspoon honey
• A pinch of ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Brew the coffee and pour 120 ml into a mug.
2. Stir the honey into the hot coffee until dissolved.
3. Warm the oat milk in a saucepan.
4. Froth the milk if you want a foamy topping.
5. Pour the milk into the coffee and sprinkle with cinnamon.

For a vegan version, replace the honey with maple syrup.

6. Vanilla Cream Coffee

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 180 ml regular French press coffee
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, plus more to taste
• Sugar, optional

Instructions

1. Brew the coffee and pour 180 ml into a mug.
2. Add the vanilla extract and stir.
3. Pour in the cream and mix gently.
4. Taste before adding sugar or more vanilla.

Start with a small amount of extract; you can add more after tasting.

7. Cardamom Coffee

Makes: 2 small servings

Ingredients

• 30 g coarsely ground coffee
• 480 ml hot water
• 2–3 green cardamom pods

Instructions

1. Lightly crush the cardamom pods with the flat side of a knife.
2. Add the coffee and crushed pods to a warmed French press.
3. Pour in the hot water, start a timer and stir gently.
4. Fit the lid with the plunger raised and steep for four minutes.
5. Press slowly and pour the coffee into two cups.

Iced and Cold Brew French Press Recipes

Cold brew uses cool water and a long steep. Iced coffee starts with hot coffee and is chilled before serving.

8. French Press Cold Brew Concentrate

Makes: A batch; final yield varies

Ingredients

• 100 g coarsely ground coffee
• 400 ml cool filtered water
• Water or milk, for serving
• Ice

Instructions

1. Add the coffee to a clean French press with room for both the grounds and water.
2. Pour in 400 ml cool water and stir until all the grounds are wet.
3. Cover the press without plunging.
4. Refrigerate for about 24 hours.
5. Lower the plunger slowly, then pour the concentrate into a clean, covered container.
6. If you want less sediment, pour it through a paper coffee filter.
7. To serve, start with 60 ml concentrate and 120 ml water or milk over ice. Adjust to taste.
8. Keep the remaining concentrate covered in the refrigerator.

The 1:4 brewing ratio and suggested serving dilution follow OXO’s cold brew concentrate guidance, adapted here for a French press.

9. Iced French Press Coffee

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 150 ml strong French press coffee
• Ice, enough to fill a glass
• Cold water or milk, optional
• Simple syrup, optional

Instructions

1. Brew the coffee and immediately pour 150 ml into a heatproof jug.
2. Let it cool briefly, then place the jug in an ice-water bath to chill.
3. Fill a serving glass with fresh ice.
4. Pour the cooled coffee over the ice.
5. Add cold water or milk to taste, then sweeten with simple syrup if desired.

Starting with strong coffee leaves room for dilution as the ice melts.

10. Cold Brew Chocolate Milk

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 60 ml cold brew concentrate from recipe 8
• 120 ml cold chocolate milk
• Ice

Instructions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in the cold brew concentrate.
3. Add the chocolate milk and stir thoroughly.
4. Taste and add more chocolate milk if you prefer a milder drink.

11. Iced Vanilla Latte

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 60 ml cold brew concentrate from recipe 8
• 150 ml cold milk
• 1–2 teaspoons vanilla syrup
• Ice

Instructions

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Add the cold brew concentrate and 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup.
3. Pour in the milk.
4. Stir until the coffee and milk are combined.
5. Taste and add the remaining syrup if needed.

If you use vanilla extract instead, start with a few drops and add sweetener separately.

12. Cold Brew Tonic

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 60 ml cold brew concentrate from recipe 8
• 120 ml chilled tonic water
• Ice
• A thin orange slice, optional

Instructions

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Slowly pour the tonic water over the ice.
3. Gently add the cold brew concentrate, leaving room for the foam to rise.
4. Stir once or twice without knocking out all the bubbles.
5. Add an orange slice, if using, and serve immediately.

Flavoured French Press Coffee Recipes

13. Lavender Honey Latte

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 120 ml strong French press coffee
• 150 ml milk
• 1–2 teaspoons food-grade lavender honey syrup, to taste

Instructions

1. Brew the coffee and pour 120 ml into a mug.
2. Stir in 1 teaspoon lavender honey syrup.
3. Warm the milk and froth it.
4. Pour the milk into the coffee and spoon the foam over the top.
5. Taste before adding more syrup; lavender can quickly overpower the coffee.

14. Fig and Star Anise Coffee

Makes: 2 small servings

Ingredients

• 30 g coarsely ground coffee
• 480 ml hot water
• 1 whole star anise
• 2 tablespoons fig syrup, divided
• 120 ml milk
• A pinch of ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Add the coffee and star anise to a warmed French press.
2. Pour in the hot water, stir gently and steep for four minutes.
3. Press slowly and pour the coffee into a jug.
4. Add 1 tablespoon fig syrup to each of two mugs.
5. Divide the coffee between the mugs and stir.
6. Warm and froth the milk, then divide it between the drinks.
7. Dust the foam lightly with cinnamon.

15. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Coffee

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 180 ml regular French press coffee
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• A small pinch of ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cream

Instructions

1. Put the brown sugar and cinnamon into a mug.
2. Add a splash of hot brewed coffee and stir until the sugar dissolves.
3. Pour in the remaining coffee.
4. Add the cream and stir again.

The cinnamon will not dissolve completely, so use a small pinch.

16. Iced Coconut Mocha

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 120 ml strong French press coffee
• 120 ml chilled coconut milk beverage
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1–2 teaspoons sugar
• A few drops of coconut extract, optional
• Ice

Instructions

1. Mix the cocoa powder and sugar in a heatproof jug.
2. Add a splash of hot coffee and stir into a smooth paste.
3. Stir in the remaining coffee.
4. Place the jug in an ice-water bath and let the mixture cool.
5. Fill a glass with ice and pour in the chocolate coffee.
6. Add the coconut milk beverage and stir.
7. Taste before adding coconut extract, if using.

Use the pourable coconut beverage sold in cartons for this version.

17. Maple Pecan Latte

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 120 ml strong French press coffee
• 150 ml milk
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• A small pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped pecans, optional

Instructions

1. Brew the coffee and pour 120 ml into a mug.
2. Add the maple syrup and stir until combined.
3. Warm and froth the milk.
4. Pour the milk into the coffee, then spoon the foam on top.
5. Sprinkle with nutmeg and finely chopped pecans, if using.

The pecans are a topping here; they do not infuse the whole drink with pecan flavour.

Spiced and Seasonal French Press Recipes

18. Spiced Pumpkin Coffee

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 120 ml strong French press coffee
• 150 ml milk
• 1 tablespoon plain pumpkin puree
• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin spice blend, plus more to taste
• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup

Instructions

1. Brew the coffee and pour 120 ml into a large mug.
2. Put the milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice and 1 teaspoon maple syrup into a small saucepan.
3. Warm over low heat, whisking until combined and gently steaming.
4. Use a whisk or handheld frother to add a little foam.
5. Pour the pumpkin milk into the coffee and stir.
6. Taste and add more maple syrup or spice if needed.

Use plain pumpkin puree rather than sweetened pumpkin pie filling. Stir again as you drink if the puree settles.

19. Chai-Spiced Coffee

Makes: 2 small servings

Ingredients

• 30 g coarsely ground coffee
• 480 ml hot water
• A small pinch each of ground ginger, ground cloves and black pepper
• Warm milk and sweetener, optional

Instructions

1. Add the coffee grounds to a warmed French press.
2. Sprinkle in the ginger, cloves and black pepper.
3. Pour in the hot water, start the timer and stir gently.
4. Fit the lid and steep for four minutes.
5. Press slowly and divide the coffee between two mugs.
6. Add warm milk and sweetener to taste.

Use a particularly small pinch of cloves so it does not dominate the drink. Ground spices may leave some sediment.

20. Cinnamon Orange Coffee

Makes: 2 small servings

Ingredients

• 30 g coarsely ground coffee
• 480 ml hot water
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 1 thin strip of washed orange peel

Instructions

1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove a thin strip of orange peel, avoiding as much white pith as possible.
2. Place the coffee grounds, cinnamon stick and peel into a warmed French press.
3. Pour in the hot water and stir gently.
4. Steep for four minutes with the plunger raised.
5. Press slowly and pour into two mugs.
6. Taste before adding your preferred sweetener.

Tips for Better French Press Drinks

• Measure the brewed coffee. Adding an entire batch to one latte can throw off the balance of coffee and milk.
• Adjust sweetness at the end. Syrups and sweetened plant milks vary, so start with less.
• Leave room in the press. Its stated capacity must accommodate the grounds as well as the water.
• Pour out the finished brew. Keep extra coffee in a separate jug instead of leaving it in the press.
• Clean the filter thoroughly. Remove trapped grounds and milk residue before your next brew.
• Change one thing at a time. If a drink tastes too weak, increase the coffee proportion on your next attempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make espresso in a French press?

A French press makes immersion-brewed coffee, not espresso. Strong French press coffee can still serve as the base for these latte-, mocha- and cortado-style drinks.

What coffee-to-water ratio should I use?

For the regular brew in this guide, use 30 g coffee and 480 ml water, or 1:16. For milk-based drinks, use the stronger recipe of 30 g coffee and 350 ml water.

How long should the coffee steep?

Start with four minutes for hot brewing. Treat this as a starting point rather than a strict boundary: your beans, grind and preferred flavour may call for adjustment. Cold brew follows a separate method.

Can I use pre-ground coffee?

Yes. Look for coffee labelled coarse or suitable for a French press. If your coffee is finer, expect more sediment and adjust the brewing method to taste.

Can I use decaf or dairy-free milk?

Yes. Use decaf coffee in the same recipes and adjust the brew if needed. Replace dairy milk with your preferred alternative; sweetness and foam will vary by product.

Why does my coffee taste bitter or gritty?

Bitterness can come from the roast or the brewing method. Try changing the grind, steep time or coffee-to-water ratio one at a time. For grit, press gently, avoid disturbing the settled grounds and leave the last sediment-heavy splash in the jug.

Which Recipe Should You Try First?

Start with the French press latte if you want to practise brewing and frothing. Choose brown sugar cinnamon coffee for a simple drink with cupboard ingredients. For an iced option, prepare the cold brew concentrate ahead of time and use it in the vanilla latte or chocolate milk recipe.

Which one would you make first? Share your favourite combination in the comments.