If there’s one thing I know most dads like, it’s caffeine. Whether it’s coffee or tea, it’s what gets him up in the morning and keeps him going strong all day long. Coffee or tea is a daily ritual that is critical to the start of a good day. So don’t waste time on a poorly made hot beverage of choice, and instead make sure dad has what he needs to blast those dopamine receptors with good vibes first thing in the morning. Everything in this article has been tested thoroughly by Chris and passes muster for the most discerning of dads.
Making a hot cup of coffee is something I look forward to the night before. It’s a routine that I thoroughly enjoy and brings a sense of calm to the morning. I used to drink a lot more tea, and I felt the same way then as well. The experience itself is a way to step back from the day for a moment and focus on something simple. How can you get the most from your favorite morning beverage? Do you have to spend a ton for the latest gadgets and precise measuring systems? Let those thoughts steep a little bit and we’ll brew together some ideas.
The Water!
This is going to be a do what I say and not what I do kind of deal. You really should be using filtered water to get the most out of your morning beverage. Does it make a tremendous difference to the taste? I’m sure there’s a ton of science behind it, but I think from a simple “garbage in, garbage out” standpoint, it is beneficial to use filtered water. We use a simple Brita filter for our drinking water in the fridge, and I think I need to start using that to elevate my game.
The Heat!
Depending on the type of beverage you’re making, you might need to pre-boil water. Also, depending on the precision you need for water temperature, you have a variety of options. Personally, I don’t pay much attention to the water temperature and just let it boil until it’s ready. The kettle I use is a Black and Decker Electric Kettle and it is a no-frills option that gets the job done at an affordable price. Since mine is over a decade old and still kicking, the closest I could find is this one.
The Brew!
I use a Oxo Brew Single Serve Pour-Over Coffee Maker. I’m the only one that drinks coffee in my household, so I do not need to make a huge carafe of coffee on the morning. Plus I hate when the coffee in the carafe gets lukewarm. So I prefer making one Cup O’ Joe at a time. This pour over option is great because it lets you pour in the water all at once in the upper reservoir and it will control the drip rate. The reservoir also has measurement markings, so you can make as big of a cup as you want. I’ve seen other similar options out there that look cooler, but this one works perfectly for me.
The Steep!
Sometimes I’m jonesing for a cup of tea. If that’s the case, I’m going loose leaf for sure. You’ll need something to hold the tea leaves while steeping them. There are a lot of options such as fillable pouches, but you really want something that does not constrict the tea leaves too much. You also want a fine mesh so that you don’t get stray tea leaves and particles in your cup. I purchased a tea infuser from Teavana over a decade ago and still use it at work today. I can’t find the exact one anymore (because Teavana doesn’t exist as a stand-alone store anymore), but something like this simple tea infuser from Oxo will do the trick.
The Vessel!
My wife purchased this excellent Yeti Rambler 14 Oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug with Lid for me last Father’s Day, and I gotta say, it’s one of my favorite gifts ever. Jason recently reviewed the Yeti whiskey tumbler in his post last week, and these Yeti products simply work. They are a little pricier than some alternatives, but overall they are well made and do what they are supposed to do. I often come back to a cup of coffee hours later that is still extremely hot. I think I need to do a showdown similar to Jason’s, but this time with hot beverages.
The Get Up and Go!
Sometimes you’re just running late and you need that cup of coffee with minimal effort. We have a Keurig K50 All Purpose Coffee Maker system just for that purpose. It’s also nice for parties if you want to offer your guests a fairly mediocre cup of coffee on the fast. While not my preferred option, I probably use it once a day just out of sheer simplicity. The major downside with one of these systems is the waste. Many manufacturers are making the K-pods now so that you can at least recycle the plastic cup portion, but if you’re running out the door, it’s unlikely you’re going to take that extra step. There are also refillable options that I’ve used before, but the cleanup can be a huge pain. Not the worst thing to have around the house in a pinch.
Does your dad have a standard boring way he enjoys his coffee or tea? Might be time to upgrade his hot beverage game with one of these options. Let me know what you think in the comment section!
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