If you’re a regular brewer at home, chances are you’ve poured a bit of leftover coffee down the sink without thinking twice. But there’s good news - it doesn’t have to go to waste. In fact, it’s surprisingly easy to turn it into something delicious, practical, or even beautiful.
Here are some creative ways to use leftover coffee that will make you think twice before tipping that cup out.
Make coffee ice cubes
One of the simplest uses for leftover coffee is to pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Coffee ice cubes are perfect for iced coffee lovers—no more watered-down drinks! Just pop a few cubes into your next cold brew or even a glass of milk for a coffee-flavoured treat.
Add depth to baking recipes
Baking a chocolate cake, brownies, or even a banana bread? Swap out some of the liquid (like water or milk) for leftover coffee. Coffee enhances the flavour of chocolate beautifully and gives baked goods a rich, deep taste without making them taste like coffee.
Create a marinade or sauce
Coffee adds a bold, slightly smoky flavour to marinades and sauces. Mix leftover coffee with ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and spices to create a delicious marinade for beef, pork, or mushrooms. It’s a clever way to build complexity into savoury dishes.
Water your plants (carefully)
If you’re a regular brewer at home, chances are you’ve poured a bit of leftover coffee down the sink without thinking twice. But there’s good news—leftover coffee doesn’t have to go to waste. In fact, it’s surprisingly easy to turn it into something delicious, practical, or even beautiful.
Here are some creative ways to use leftover coffee that will make you think twice before tipping that cup out.
Make a natural dye
Want to give paper, fabric, or even Easter eggs a vintage look? Leftover coffee works as a natural dye, creating beautiful earthy tones without any harsh chemicals. Just soak your material in strong coffee, let it dry, and repeat if you want a deeper colour.
Your coffee deserves a second life
Instead of pouring it away, think of leftover coffee as another ingredient waiting to be used. Whether it’s boosting your baking, refreshing your plants, or enhancing your next iced brew, that extra coffee still has plenty to offer.
Little changes like this add up. And let’s be honest—anything that helps you squeeze a little more joy out of your coffee habit is a win.
If you haven’t quite found your signature coffee blend yet, why not test-drive some Essenza Coffee? If you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into what to do with leftover coffee, be sure to check out the rest of the resources on our blog. If you have any questions, please reach out to the friendly team.