The Sugar-Free Hack To Take The Flavor Of Your Coffee To New Heights

For a lot of Americans, coffee is an essential part of their morning routine. The satisfying blend of beans wakes sleepy caffeine drinkers up and also lets them start the day with a little cup of something special. According to a study by U.K. Biobank, drinking coffee not only keeps its consumers awake and happy but it's also associated with a lower risk of death by up to 30% (via MedpageToday). As if you needed another reason to indulge in your daily cup of joe.

While coffee does generally seem like a good idea, most food scientists have a consensus that sugary caramel lattes and overly-sweetened cold brews are not usually the best way to go. So while that Dunkin' caramel latte is delicious, it might not always be working in your favor (per Healthline). This is because sugar doesn't add anything beneficial nutritionally and when eaten in excess, it's linked to diseases like diabetes and obesity. Luckily, there are many other healthy ways to sweeten your coffee, so you also don't have to resort to drinking your brew black if you don't want to. So without further ado, here's how to take your coffee to new heights while keeping it sugar-free.

Starting off with the basics, one easy addition that sweetens your coffee is a splash of good old-fashioned unsweetened vanilla almond milk. According to nutrition consultant Chris Mohr, this option can be a good low-calorie choice because it gives coffee a subtly sweet upgrade thanks to the vanilla additive (via Silver Sneakers). If you prefer a cream, whole milk, oat, or another dairy offering, you can always add in a dash of vanilla extract separately. 

While you're probably already familiar with the world of alternative milk, there are some lesser-known additives you could try adding to your brew. Per Golden Ratio, monk fruit is one of those options. Monk fruit extract, much like stevia, is a natural sugar alternative. Per Super Coffee, this sweetener has zero sugar, carbs, or calories, and can even lower blood sugar levels rather than raise it. A powerful antioxidant, monk fruit is also much easier on the stomach than other alternative sweeteners.

But for those looking for a very simple to upgrade your coffee game, there is one ultimate player we recommend using. And bonus: You've already got it waiting in your pantry. 

If you can't stand the bold bitterness of black coffee, we get it. It's not for everyone. But you can still enjoy a smooth cup of coffee without the help of sugar — or even milk. According to registered dietitian Jessica Ball, the secret to that subtly sweet and easy-to-drink cup of joe is cinnamon (via EatingWell). Simply add a few dashes of this common spice into your coffee grounds, then brew as normal. Voila! The cinnamon will offset the natural bitterness of the coffee, and even might make it smell like gingerbread. Per NDTV Food, cinnamon also has the ability to slightly sweeten your drink without the spike in blood sugar levels than regular sweeteners can give. 

Per Era of We, even just a little bit of cinnamon in your grounds goes a long way, bringing depth to the flavors of your brew. Not to mention it adds a little bit more vitamins and nutrients to your morning, so give it a shot.