Best Coffee Gifts For The Caffeine Addict in Your Life

While tea may have once reigned supreme as the nation’s favourite brew, it looks like its time in the spotlight is over. Coffee hasn’t just overtaken tea in popularity, it’s practically done a double shot of espresso and run laps around it.

Over the last few years, coffee culture has exploded. From home brewing setups that rival professional cafés to latte art tutorials taking over social media, it’s clear we’re a nation of devoted coffee drinkers. And with so many of us craving more than just a basic instant brew, coffee has become less of a habit and more of a hobby.

If you know someone who’s on first-name terms with their local barista and has already polished off their morning espresso before you’ve even pulled your socks on, then the chances are coffee plays a pretty important role in their life. 

Whether they treat their morning brew like a sacred ritual or just love a cosy catch-up over a cappuccino, these barista workshops will spill all the coffee beans on the secrets to roasting, brewing and blending the perfect cup. It’s a hands-on, caffeine-fuelled experience designed to satisfy even the most devoted coffee lovers.

Why We’re Obsessed With Coffee

From the Italian espresso bar to the Danish ritual of slowing down with Fika, coffee is a drink that has shaped cultures, inspired traditions, and brought people together over a steaming cup of their favourite brew. Since the first coffee house opened in the UK in the 17th century, people have continued to drink coffee not just for the energy boost, but for the experience, the comfort, and the connection it brings.

So why do we love it so much?

• The ritual – Whether it’s grinding beans, pouring the perfect brew or carrying it in your favourite travel mug, coffee fits into our daily routine like no other drink.
• The taste – From smooth and nutty to bold and bitter, there is a flavour for every mood and moment.
• The aroma – Few things beat the smell of fresh coffee in the morning. It’s instantly uplifting.
• The energy boost – A natural pick-me-up when the day starts to drag or the to-do list gets long.
• The creativity – From latte art to cold brews, it’s a drink you can personalise, experiment with and make your own.
• The social side – Catching up over a cappuccino or sitting in a café with a good book and your favourite brew is a simple pleasure many of us treasure.
• The feeling – Whether you’re sipping from your go-to mug at home or grabbing a cup on the way to work, it’s a small comfort that can lift your entire day.

Coffee isn’t just a caffeine fix. It’s a lifestyle. And when it comes to finding the perfect coffee related gift, nothing says "I get you" like a hands-on experience that shows them how to keep their coffee fresh, roast their own beans, or brew the perfect cup. Whether they’re upgrading their coffee machine or still using that trusty old travel mug, these experiences are a brilliant way to take their love of coffee to the next level.

Different Types of Coffee

Gone are the days when you could walk into a café and simply order a ‘coffee’. Now you’re faced with many, many decisions… one shot or two, milk or no milk, oat, almond or dairy, hot or iced, and of course, small, medium or large. If telling the difference between a cappuccino and a latte feels like you need a degree in coffee studies, you're not alone. 

And if you’re trying to buy a gift for someone who lives and breathes coffee while you’re still not entirely sure what a flat white is, it can feel even more overwhelming. That’s why we’ve broken down the most popular types of coffee, so you can sound like you know your stuff and pick out the perfect coffee lover gifts that they’ll genuinely love.

Espresso
A small shot of concentrated coffee, espresso is the strong base for many hot drinks and packs a rich, bold flavour into a small cup.

Ristretto
Even shorter than an espresso, ristretto is an ultra-concentrated coffee made with less water, resulting in an intense and slightly sweeter flavour.

Doppio
Doppio simply means a double espresso. It's two shots of concentrated coffee for those who like their hot drinks seriously strong.

Lungo
Lungo is an espresso made with more water, giving you a longer, slightly more bitter hot drink with less intensity than a standard shot.

Americano
Made by adding hot water to an espresso, an Americano is a smoother hot drink that still gives you that essential concentrated coffee kick.

Red Eye
For serious caffeine lovers, a red eye combines brewed coffee with a shot of espresso—ideal when your regular hot drink just won’t cut it.

Latte
A latte blends espresso with plenty of steamed milk and a touch of foam, making it one of the creamiest and most popular hot drinks around.

Cappuccino
Made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam, a cappuccino is a well-balanced hot drink with a slightly stronger flavour than a latte.

Flat White
This Aussie-born hot drink is made with a shot of espresso and smooth, velvety milk, similar to a latte but with less foam and a stronger coffee hit.

Café au Lait
Popular in France, café au lait is brewed coffee mixed with hot milk, making it a lighter alternative to concentrated coffee based drinks.

Cortado
A cortado is an equal mix of espresso and warm milk, balancing the strength of concentrated coffee with just enough creaminess.

Macchiato
Meaning ‘stained’ in Italian, this hot drink is a shot of espresso topped with a small amount of foamed milk, simple but bold.

Mocha
A delicious blend of espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate, mocha is the ideal drink for those who want their concentrated coffee with a sweet twist, making it a great starter drink for coffee newbies easing into the world of espresso.

Iced Coffee
Brewed coffee served over ice, often with milk or sweetener, is perfect for when you want the flavour of hot drinks without the heat.

Frappe
A chilled, blended coffee drink often made with instant coffee, milk, sugar, and ice. Frothy and refreshing, it’s the perfect choice when you want your caffeine fix served cold.

Coffee Brewing Methods 

As if learning all the different types of coffee wasn’t enough, there’s also the matter of how they’re brewed. And no, it’s not as simple as pouring hot water over a teaspoon of coffee grounds. These brewing methods are for the true coffee enthusiasts, the ones who treat making coffee like an art form and take their morning ritual very seriously.

Espresso Machine

An espresso maker forces hot water through ground coffee at high pressure to produce a rich, concentrated shot. It's the go-to choice for those seeking quality coffee at home, often used with or without coffee pods, depending on the machine.

Pour Over & Drip Coffee

This brewing technique involves slowly pouring hot water over coffee in a filter, allowing it to drip through at its own pace. Known for its clean taste and clarity, it’s a classic method of making filter coffee.

Moka Pot

Also known as a stovetop espresso maker, the moka pot uses steam pressure to push water through coffee grounds. It's a popular piece of coffee equipment for achieving a strong, espresso-style brew without a machine.

French Press / Cafetière

A French press steeps ground coffee in hot water before pressing it down with a plunger. It’s a simple method that’s perfect for those who like their coffee full-bodied and rich.

Cold Brew

Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for several hours. Often made in batches and served chilled, it’s a smooth and less acidic alternative to hot coffee. For best results, many enthusiasts use a coffee grinder to get the right texture.

Coffee Gifts That Go Beyond Beans and Mugs

So, now that you’re a little more clued in on the ins and outs of a good cup of coffee, we’ll introduce you to the perfect experiences for that coffee loving friend. These immersive experiences aren’t just thoughtful, they’re interactive, memorable, and a step up from your average cafetière or bean subscription. 

Whether you're searching for coffee gifts for men or looking to treat someone to a hands-on coffee experience, these are among the best gifts for coffee lovers who want more than just another travel mug.

Barista Basics Coffee Workshop

This is the one for anyone keen to learn how to make better coffee at home. With expert guidance, small groups and plenty of time on the machine, this workshop is a relaxed and practical way to pick up essential barista skills. No jargon, no pressure, just great coffee and loads of hands-on time.

Duration: 2.5 hours
Complexity rating: ☕☕ 
What’s included:

• Learn how coffee is grown, roasted and sourced
• Understand espresso extraction and how to fix common issues
• Try milk steaming and texturising techniques
• Recreate café-style drinks in a friendly “drinks-off”

Create Your Own Coffee Blend Workshop

This one’s all about creativity and taste. Start with a guided coffee tasting session, then mix and match beans to build your perfect blend. Whether they love bold and punchy or something smoother, this is a fun and relaxed session that ends with a bag of your very own custom coffee.

Duration: 2.5 hours
Complexity rating: ☕☕ 
What’s included:

• Learn about flavour profiles and roast styles
• Guided cupping session to taste a range of coffees
• Use wet blending to create a personalised blend
• Name and bag your final coffee to take home

Roast Your Own Coffee Workshop

This is a proper deep dive for anyone who wants to go further into their coffee obsession. In a super small class with loads of personal attention, you’ll learn how to roast your own beans using advanced roasting equipment. You’ll get to take home a generous supply of coffee you roasted yourself, as well as a newfound respect for what goes into every cup.

Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Complexity rating: ☕☕☕ 

What’s included:

• Discover what makes coffee “speciality”
• Use an Aillio Bullet R1 roaster with infrared tracking
• Learn to spot key roasting stages and flavour changes
• Take home two 500g bags of freshly roasted coffee

Roasting and Brewing Coffee School

This two-hour session is packed with everything a coffee lover wants to know. From where beans come from to how to brew them properly at home, it covers the full journey from origin to cup. With a roasting demo, expert brewing tips and a bag of freshly roasted coffee to take home, it’s a complete experience for anyone who’s serious about good coffee.

Duration: 2 hours
Complexity rating: ☕☕☕ 

What’s included:

• Learn how coffee is grown, processed and sourced
• Live roasting demo with expert guidance
• Hands-on brewing workshop with practical tips
• Take home a 250g bag of coffee, ground to your preference

So, whatever their go to brew, whether it’s a hardcore red eye or a perfectly balanced and beginner friendly cappuccino, we hope we’ve helped you find the perfect coffee gift for every kind of coffee lover. Here’s to less depresso and more espresso!