Making a Black Cat and Other Coffee Drinks

Yes you can. Try what is called a French press. It only has a small glass or plastic body and a lid with the press attached to it. Just pour in your hot or boiling water (read your press directions to make sure it won't crack) and set the lid on with the press above the coffee and water.

When it has brewed, usually five minutes or so, press the knob of the press down SLOWLY. A good one forms a pressure pocket that will explode coffee upward if you press too fast. The enjoy your coffee.

The French press can be a green choice. No machine to plug in and the coffee grounds nourish plants. You won't be buying coffee filters, or needing a tiny trash can with a plastic bag on the counter. Plus, it can brew any coffee in the world. Packaged, freshly ground, or prepacked in a filter bag. This means no multiple machines gobbling up electricity and your money.

The French Press is also inexpensive and can last a lifetime. It won't overheat and burn the house down or bubble coffee all over the counter either. They travel easily, so coffee purists can stow them in a travel bag to get that at home taste wherever they are.

You'll need

coffee (instant, brewed or expresso)
cream or milk
whipped cream
chocolate sauce
black cat-shaped sprinkles
Optional: sweetener

Tip: Expresso is just coffee brewed with less water. You don't need an expensive press.

1) Taking your brewed coffee, add sweetener (sugar, Splenda) and cream or milk to taste. A great cup of coffee makes a killer Black Cat.

2) Top with whipped cream, then add chocolate syrup on top of whipped cream. Some will go down into the coffee, that's OK.

3) Top with black cat-shaped sprinkles.

You're done.

Tip: Add a little cinnamon for a Red Cat, caramel topping instead of chocolate for a Tabby Cat, or chocolate shavings and heavy cream for a Fat Cat.

FYI: The traditional latte has twice as much milk as coffee.

WARNING: Cream may be OK, but chocolate can be deadly to cats. So no sharing if you have the chocolate mixed in. You wouldn't want to hurt cuties like these.

This tension taming tea is as simple as brewing a tea bag.

You'll need:
1 catnip tea bag
ice
milk
sugar

1) Brew the catnip tea.

2) Serve over the ice, mixing in milk and sugar as desired. Catnip is so easy to grow you may want a patch of it to steep fresh leaves. If using fresh catnip just double the amount, say two teaspoons of fresh leaves for one latte.

Needless to say, you feline family may demand some to share. Which is ok. Some cats like to steal the teabags and will even drink right out of the cup.

You'll need:

2 packets instant hot chocolate mix
8 oz hot water
a pinch of chili powder
milk to taste
large mug
Optional: marshmallows or whipped cream

1 ) Mix the hot chocolate powder and chili powder,
and then add the hot water.

2) Add milk to taste.

3) Add marshmallows, whipped cream, or other topping if desired.

This drink is extremely decadent and should leave you with an overall feeling of warmth. Unless you drink way too much and overdo the chili powder. Then you may want to fight the whole world.

This is like Boston coffee, but a lot better for your health.

You'll need:

coffee
skim milk
Splenda or other non calorie sweetener
Optional: spring of mint or catnip

Make as you would your regular coffee. The fresh catnip can be a garnish or add a minty flavor to the coffee.