Advice needed - non-coffee drinker

[Anonymous]

I’m hosting a casual brunch for about 8 people, and as a non-coffee drinker I don’t have a coffee maker. I don’t have enough storage space for it and it doesn’t make sense for me to acquire since I’d use it max once per year.

I do have a tea kettle and a good selection of tea, but I know as the host for brunch folks will expect coffee… and I am clueless on the topic!

My plan is to get one of those large catering/to-go containers of coffee with a spout from Starbucks.

My questions:
- what is a crowd pleaser/inoffensive coffee blend to order?
- assuming I have, say, 6 coffee drinkers, is one of those cartons enough for a brunch lasting 2 hours?
- should I offer sugar cubes? Or a bowl with sugar?
- would offering heavy cream in a small pitcher be fine? Do I need flavored creamers?
- anything else I’m not thinking of?

Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

Would be cheaper to just buy a coffee maker really. They are like $10-20.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. My coffee-drinking friends know not to expect coffee when they come to my house. I have a wide array of tea, though. I have never felt the need to offer coffee to anyone and yet I've kept all my friends!

I don't have alcohol either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would be cheaper to just buy a coffee maker really. They are like $10-20.

But then we have a non-coffee-drinker making the coffee in a cheap coffee maker. That could turn out badly in a lot of ways. Let Starbucks do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m hosting a casual brunch for about 8 people, and as a non-coffee drinker I don’t have a coffee maker. I don’t have enough storage space for it and it doesn’t make sense for me to acquire since I’d use it max once per year.

I do have a tea kettle and a good selection of tea, but I know as the host for brunch folks will expect coffee… and I am clueless on the topic!

My plan is to get one of those large catering/to-go containers of coffee with a spout from Starbucks.

My questions:
- what is a crowd pleaser/inoffensive coffee blend to order?
- assuming I have, say, 6 coffee drinkers, is one of those cartons enough for a brunch lasting 2 hours?
- should I offer sugar cubes? Or a bowl with sugar?
- would offering heavy cream in a small pitcher be fine? Do I need flavored creamers?
- anything else I’m not thinking of?

Thank you!!!

One carton should be enough. Starbucks gives you sugar packets, stirrers, cream and paper cups and lids with it. You can order something like Columbian or French Roast. If you use the sugar packets, leave a plate or something for people to put their trash. I ordered these many times for work events. If you want it to look nicer, you can forgo the extras and buy your own and use your own cups. In that case I'd offer a sugar bowl and cream in a small pitcher. When you order these, they take a long time to.make them. Order ahead and someone has to pick it up which can take a while at some locations.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, OP here. I am literally clueless about brewing coffee and would rather bring it in.
I thought about instant coffee but figure that’s a no-no, right?

I also considered telling the guests ahead of time that I won’t have coffee but feel free to BYOcoffee.

I landed on the Starbucks to-go solution because it seemed the most hospitable. But turns out I still have questions about what goes with it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would be cheaper to just buy a coffee maker really. They are like $10-20.

And then coffee is another $10-20 and a couple of bucks for filters and she’s got a useless kitchen appliance taking up space.

One box of coffee is enough, some sort of sugar and cream would be good (*bux might even throw it in).

[Anonymous]

That all sounds fine. The Starbucks boxes have a The Starbucks boxes have a size guide. I think you probably need 2, check with them though. Most people have at least one refill and you can always send it home with someone. Also, maybe get a carton of silk brand creamer jic. It’s non dairy (not everyone can drink milk or oat milk).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m hosting a casual brunch for about 8 people, and as a non-coffee drinker I don’t have a coffee maker. I don’t have enough storage space for it and it doesn’t make sense for me to acquire since I’d use it max once per year.

I do have a tea kettle and a good selection of tea, but I know as the host for brunch folks will expect coffee… and I am clueless on the topic!

My plan is to get one of those large catering/to-go containers of coffee with a spout from Starbucks.

My questions:
- what is a crowd pleaser/inoffensive coffee blend to order?
- assuming I have, say, 6 coffee drinkers, is one of those cartons enough for a brunch lasting 2 hours?
- should I offer sugar cubes? Or a bowl with sugar?
- would offering heavy cream in a small pitcher be fine? Do I need flavored creamers?
- anything else I’m not thinking of?

Thank you!!!

One carton should be enough. Starbucks gives you sugar packets, stirrers, cream and paper cups and lids with it. You can order something like Columbian or French Roast. If you use the sugar packets, leave a plate or something for people to put their trash. I ordered these many times for work events. If you want it to look nicer, you can forgo the extras and buy your own and use your own cups. In that case I'd offer a sugar bowl and cream in a small pitcher. When you order these, they take a long time to.make them. Order ahead and someone has to pick it up which can take a while at some locations.

Thank you!!!!

This is super helpful!

-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That all sounds fine. The Starbucks boxes have a The Starbucks boxes have a size guide. I think you probably need 2, check with them though. Most people have at least one refill and you can always send it home with someone. Also, maybe get a carton of silk brand creamer jic. It’s non dairy (not everyone can drink milk or oat milk).

Sorry typos. If everyone gets more than one cup, you will go through all of the coffee with one carton.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!!! Good points!

[Anonymous]

I would just get one box, it makes 12 cups, chances are at least one person won’t refill or will choose tea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would be cheaper to just buy a coffee maker really. They are like $10-20.

But then we have a non-coffee-drinker making the coffee in a cheap coffee maker. That could turn out badly in a lot of ways. Let Starbucks do it.

You think Starbucks is not cheap coffee?

[Anonymous]

I’d try and borrow a keurig from a friend/neighbor lol.

Having sugar, sweetener and half and half for guests is probably enough. If any of them are non dairy you could have a non dairy creamer. But don’t overthink it too much.
I’m a coffee drinker but drink it earlier in the morning. I might drink it again later but if you didn’t have the right kind of coffee I’d skip it and be ok.

[Anonymous]

A good host should always have a variety of drinks onhand, from sodas, coffees, alcoholic drinks, and waters.