ARTICLE

The Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Coffee Lovers 

 

December 12, 2024 - 3 min read

 

Whether you’re looking for a coffee machine for yourself, or for a gift, this Ultimate Coffee Guide will help you find the right coffee maker to suit any espresso lover - plus wow your guests with delicious recipes and coffee flavoured drinks – including the all-time favourite Espresso Martini!

Choosing the Right Coffee Machine

Any coffee lover will tell you - a good coffee machine is a worthwhile investment, but which is the right coffee maker to buy? From automated makers to manual espresso machines perfect for any home barista, this Coffee Machine guide will ensure that you choose the perfect brewer for your loved one - from brands such as Lavazza, Breville, Delonghi and more.

 

Manual Coffee Machines

Manual Coffee Machines are perfect for the coffee connoisseur or traditionalist. A manual coffee machine will give you the freedom to experiment with a wide range of coffee beans and produce different coffee styles. To get the perfect brew, you’ll need to put in a little extra effort to grind the coffee perfectly, hand load it into the porta-filter before setting the machine to pour, and manually cut the flow of coffee. But the depth of flavour and satisfaction of making your cup of coffee just the way you like it makes it all worth it!

Shop Manual Coffee Machines

Breville Barista Express in Salted Liquorice

DeLonghi LaSpecialista Arte manual Coffee Machine

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Expresso Machine Stainless Steel

Breville Barista Express in Salted Liquorice

Automatic Coffee Machines

From grinding coffee beans to brewing and frothing the milk, an automated machine will do all the hard work for you, at the touch of a button. Automatic espresso machines also allow you to use freshly ground beans rather than a capsule, giving a better density of flavour.

Shop Automatic Coffee Machines

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Cast Iron Black

DeLonghi Magnifica Fully Automatic Coffee Machine Black

Philips LatteGo Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

 

Capsule Coffee Machines

Simple, quick and convenient to use, pod and capsule coffee machines give fans a wide variety of coffee flavours to choose from. Instead of using coffee beans, you can simply insert the capsule into the machine which then pierces the pod and forces hot water over the contents to create your drink of choice. Keep in mind that you might be limited to a particular brand of capsules or pods that is compatible with your machine.

Shop Capsule Coffee Machines

Nespresso Essenza Mini Solo

Nespresso Citiz Coffee Machine

Nespresso Vertuo Pop Capsule Coffee Machine Summer Value Pack

Nespresso Essenza Mini Solo

Drip Coffee Machines

If you enjoy multiple cups of coffee throughout the day or have a family of coffee drinkers, a drip machine may be an option for you. Easy to use and typically brewing a whole pot of coffee rather than just one cup at a time, a drip machine can keep your coffee nice and steaming for longer periods of time.

Shop Drip Coffee Machines

Sunbeam 12 Cup Drip Filter Coffee Machine

Smeg 50's Style Drip Filter Coffee Machine Grey

Breville The Precision Brewer Thermal Drip Filter Coffee Maker

 

Still not sure which one's the right one for you? View our Coffee Machine Buying Guide

 

Pick the perfect accessories

Pair your coffee machine with accessories or create a gift pack for the coffee lover in your life.

Shop Milk Frothers

Shop Coffee Pods & Capsules

Shop Coffee Machine Accessories

Shop Coffee Grinders

 

Coffee Recipes To Try

These coffee recipes from your favourite brands, such as Sunbeam, Breville and Lavazza, will delight your guests. From Mocha Mousse Cake and Cheat's Tiramisu to Iced Coffee, there's a sweet coffee treat to delight every coffee lover on your guest list.

Cheat’s Tiramisu

Cheat's Tiramisu

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cups espresso
  • 2 tablespoons caster sugar
  • ¼ cup coffee flavoured liqueur (Tia Maria or Kahlua)
  • 600ml tub thickened cream
  • ¼ cup icing sugar mixture
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
  • 250g sponge finger biscuits
  • 50g dark chocolate, grated

 

Method:

  1. Combine coffee, caster sugar and liqueur in a bowl. Cool.
  2. Place cream, icing sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Using an electric whisk, whip on very high speed until soft peaks form.
  3. Dip one sponge finger into cooled coffee mixture. Remove from liquid and spread one side with a little cream.
  4. Place sideways in an 8-cup capacity serving dish. Dip a second sponge finger in coffee mixture, spread with a little cream and lay next to the first. Repeat with remaining sponge fingers, coffee mixture and cream. If there is any remaining coffee mixture once all the biscuits have been dipped, pour this over the biscuits. Spread top with remaining cream and smooth surface. Sprinkle with chocolate; cover and refrigerate overnight.

Recipe can be made in an 8-cup capacity dish or 8 individual cup size glasses.

 

Iced Coffee

Iced Coffee

Ingredients:

  • Approximately 60ml espresso (double shot)
  • 180ml cold milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla ice-cream
  • 30ml vanilla flavouring
  • 200/250ml serving glass
  • Blender

 

Method:

  1. Extract double shot espresso into glass.
  2. Mix espresso and all ingredients together in blender.
  3. Serve in serving glass.

 

Mocha Mousse Cake

Mocha Mousse Cake

Ingredients:

  • 350g dark chocolate, chopped
  • 130g butter, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 200g digestive biscuits
  • 4 eggs, separated, at room temperature
  • 300ml thickened cream
  • 30ml strong espresso coffee, chilled
  • Cocoa powder, to dust
  • Choc curls, to serve

 

Method:

  1. Line the base and sides of a 22cm (base measurement) springform pan with baking paper.
  2. Place 50g of the chocolate, 100g butter and honey in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan half filled with simmering water (making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir with a metal spoon until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
  3. Place biscuits into a food processor or blender and process until finely crushed. Add to chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Spread over the base of prepared pan. Place in fridge for 30 minutes to set.
  4. Meanwhile place remaining dark chocolate and remaining butter in a large heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir with a metal spoon until melted and smooth. Remove bowl and set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Stir in egg yolks until combined.
  5. Assemble mixer with the whisk; add egg whites to mixer bowl. Slowly turn mixer to AERATE/WHIP setting and beat egg whites until firm peaks form.
  6. Assemble mixer with the scraper whisk and the small mixer bowl. Place cream and coffee into bowl and attach the pouring cover. Slowly turn mixer to CREAM/BEAT setting and beat for 1-2 minutes or until just thickened and very soft peaks form.
  7. Add half the cream mixture to the chocolate mixture and stir until combined. Gently fold through remaining cream mixture until just combined. Fold in half the egg whites until just combined. Repeat with remaining egg whites. Spoon mixture over biscuit base. Smooth surface. Cover with plastic food wrap. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight, until set.
  8. Just before serving release cake from the springform pan and peel away baking paper. Place cake onto a serving plate. Dust with cocoa powder, top with choc curls.

 

Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

  • 1 full cup of coffee
  • 30 ml vodka
  • 30 ml Frangelico (or coffee liqueur)
  • 6 ice cubes
  • 5 g sugar
  • ½ Gianduiotto (optional)

 

Method:

  1. Prepare an espresso and add sugar. Place the ice, the sweetened coffee, the vodka and the Frangelico in the shaker. Shake well and pour the contents into a martini glass.

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