Beauty > Hair Tips > TipsOctober 19, 2009

Uses for Leftover Coffee

Here's a couple of tips to make use of leftover coffee.

Instead of reusing coffee grounds as some people do, I reuse the leftover coffee itself. It seems that nobody wants to drink the last cup or two in the pot in our house so, instead of throwing it down the sink, I blend it with the fresh pot. I decrease the fresh grounds for the new pot I'm making by a scoop or two and mix the fresh water with the leftover coffee from the previous pot. I've been doing this for years; it hasn't damaged the coffeemaker and I still get compliments for making a good cup of coffee.

Leftover coffee can also be used when making iced coffee or a smoothie. Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays and use coffee cubes instead of plain ice.

Coffee cubes added to gravy or stew gives a lovely color and taste.

Believe it or not, coffee makes an awesome after shower hair rinse for dark haired people and it smells great.

Source: Years of living on a tight budget.

By Mlina from Amherstburg, ON

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By
02/23/2011

I use leftover coffee in chocolate cake recipes in place of water. I make strong coffee in summer and make my own Iced coffee I use all my coffee grounds in my compost in the garden.

By
10/22/2010

I really think there are better ways to save money. You are saving pennies and drinking something that can be days old. It just kind of turns my stomach.

By
10/21/2010

I also refrigerate the leftover coffee, fill 2 mugs and reheat in the microwave. You really can't tell the difference in the taste.

By
05/19/2010

You can also use the left over coffee grinds as a exfoliator for your face and body. The caffeine in the coffee also gives your skin a bit of a wake up. It works wonderfully :)

By
11/06/2009

You can store the left over coffee in a glass then later heat it in the microwave when you want another cup.

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(Archived Oct 19, 2009)Uses for Leftover Coffee

Article: Uses for Leftover Coffee

Tips and ideas for using leftover coffee. Post your ideas.

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RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

When I have leftover coffee I allow it to cool and then refrigerate it. I use it as the liquid when making hermits and also use it to make coffee jello. Yum, yum.

By joesgirl (08/30/2004)

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

Use it on acid loving plants such as gardenias, azaleas, etc. Also put on vegetable gardens. You can pick up "used" coffee grounds for free at coffee shops such as Starbucks, they give it away by the bagful! (08/30/2004)

By carolchka1

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

Sounds yum, how do you make it? (The coffee jello.) (08/30/2004)

By Leslie

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

Uses: Refrigerate and make iced coffee for later in the day. Make coffee ice cubes, great in iced coffee, as they don't water it down.

I used to put coffee grounds around the blueberry bushes; wonder if watering them with coffee would also be helpful. (08/30/2004)

By Leslie

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

I use it (black no sugar only and cool) to water my house plants. I've brought dying plants back to life by pouring the leftovers from my cup into the plant. You can also mix it with water and use to water your houseplants. (08/30/2004)

By Susan

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

I put it down my garbage disposal to eliminate that "disposal" smell and it works like a charm. (09/01/2004)

By Suzanne S.

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

First I want to know how to make coffee jello, it sounds great!

I use my left over coffee in my coffee cakes, and frosting for the coffee cake. I also put the coffee grounds around my rose bushes. (09/02/2004)

By Cindy

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

Freeze some leftover coffee into cubes and when the next pot you serve is so HOT, add a couple cubes to cool it off instead of watering it down with cold water! I do this with tea too!

I've added it to chili - tends to deepen the flavor. It's cool back here in the office where I keep the coffee pot so if there's some left I reheat it the next morning - just make sure to turn the heat off or it will make it scorch (10/06/2004)

By melody_yesterday

Using It Up - Leftover Coffee

If you find that you have leftover brewed coffee and don't want to waste it, pour the leftover coffee into ice cube trays and freeze. You can use them later for chilled coffee drinks. One suggestion is to add them to chocolate milk for a chilled mocha drink.

By Michelle (03/19/2005)

Coffee Cubes With Leftover Coffee

Instead of discarding that last bit of coffee at the bottom of the pot, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. The next time you're anxious to begin drinking your piping hot coffee, you can simply pop in a "coffee cube" to cool it a bit without diluting it. This works well for nearly any beverage.

By Leann D (05/17/2005)

Save Leftover Coffee

Refrigerate leftover morning coffee in the summer for great iced coffee drinks! Use the used coffee grounds to mulch around acid loving plants!

By Karen (05/17/2005)

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

Why not use in your baking? I make a Texas Brownie with strong leftover coffee:

Mix 2 cups flour and 2 cups sugar in a bowl. In the microwave heat to boiling: 1 cup margarine/butter, 1 cup strong brewed coffee and 1/4 cup cocoa. Pour into bowl with flour and sugar. Add 1/2 cup sour milk (milk with a little vinegar in it is what I do), 2 eggs, 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix well at high speed. Pour onto large greased cookie sheet (I use a jelly pan). Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. Make your frosting while the brownies are in the oven: Heat till boiling in microwave the following: 1/2 cup margarine, 2 Tbsp. cocoa and 1/4 cup milk. Stir well to mix, then mix in 3 1/2 cups icing sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla. Cool slightly and then spread over the hot brownies, cool and cut. Super delicious! (05/18/2005)

By valleyrimgirl

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

A little left over coffee will take the acidity out of a spaghetti or pasta sauce. (05/19/2005)

By Annie

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

You can "age" paper with strong coffee. (08/23/2005)

By LizCar

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

I just tried putting cold leftover coffee in the blender with diet caramel vanilla ice cream. I had to add some ice to make it cold enough for my taste, but it's pretty good. I had to add some splenda cause I like it sweet. I imagine some "coffee ice cubes" as mentioned above would be good as well instead of the water kind. (03/27/2007)

By casarole

RE: Uses for Leftover Coffee

I have read that you can use coffee to restore the blackness of clothing that has turned from true black - but I have yet to try it. (03/27/2007)

By pamphyila

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