DIY Coffee Candle Mugs

Why do we love the smell of a coffee candle so much?

Even those who don’t enjoy the rich, bitter taste of coffee can’t deny its heady scent. 

As that is the case for me. Yet, when my husband scoops coffee beans into his coffee grinder and brews the freshly ground beans each morning it fills our farmhouse with the decadent aroma only know to coffee. While I prefer a cup of hot tea to start the day, I feel as if I could close my eyes and drift away on a cloud of coffee beans just from the scent of coffee. 

I’ve recently learned enjoying coffee has a lot more to do with scent than taste. 

According to LiveScience most of what we taste is actually scent. The sensations we gather from our mouths are sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami also is known as savory. Without the smell of coffee, you would likely taste only bitter and sour due to its organic acids. 

So, what makes coffee smell so good? 

Research indicates that just the smell of coffee sends a wake-up call to the brain while reducing the stress of sleep deprivation. And it has everything to do with the roast! 

The process of roasting coffee brings out the aroma and flavor that becomes the dark brown beans we are all familiar with. The compounds formed during roasting are a big contributor.  The reaction between proteins and sugars in the coffee beans similar to the smell of baking bread or caramelizing food is called a Maillard reaction. This is what makes the smell of coffee candles irresistible.  

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience, read the full disclosure policy.

Related To: Pumpkin Spice Candle Mugs

Related To: DIY Wax Melts

Bring Home the Aroma of a Coffee House with a DIY Coffee Candle 

Rather you can’t drink enough coffee in a day or simply crave the smell of coffee like me, a DIY coffee candle mug is THE perfect way to make your farmhouse smell like a coffee house! Crafted with soy wax for a clean long-lasting burn and real coffee oil poured into a coffee mug. 

While you can make soy candles with a variety of containers a coffee mug is THE perfect container to make a DIY coffee candle!! You can look in the back of your kitchen cabinets for a mug to upcycle into a coffee mug candle or buy a few ceramic campfire mugs as I did. Just make sure it’s heat safe and it’s something you’ll enjoy looking at. 

And when it comes to the wick, the size you will need will vary depending on the diameter of your mug. Take the guesswork out of choosing a wick with this wick calculator.  

How do you make coffee oil for candles? 

There are a few ways you can capture the heady scent of coffee into a DIY coffee candle. The most inexpensive is making coffee oil on your stovetop. It’s easy to make with just 3 steps below. Other options include using coffee essential oil or premium grade coffee oil. 

How to Make Coffee Oil:

It takes about 1 hour to make coffee oil, but the result is worth it! You can set it to simmer on low and float away on a coffee of cloud while it infuses. 

1. Using a double boiler add few inches of water to the base saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and pour 1 cup of sweet almond oil and ½ cup of fresh, unused coffee grounds or beans into the top saucepan.
2. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water to the base saucepan if it evaporates. Be cautious to not overheat the oil as it will destroy the benefits of the oil.
3. After simmering for 1 hour, let cool. Then using a fine cheesecloth or paper towel strain oil over a jar. The oil will store for 1 to 2 years in an airtight container.

How do you make coffee candles?

DIY Coffee Candle Mug Instructions: 

1. Measure Wax

Use a kitchen scale to measure 24-ounces of soy wax flakes to make 2 coffee candle mugs. Or use this candle mug tip to find the right amount for your containers. 

2. Melt Wax

Pour your measured soy wax in a candle melting pitcher to safely melt the wax. Place the pitcher filled with wax inside a large saucepan filled with 2 inches of water. Using the double boiler method, heat on medium to low heat with gentle simmer at most. Stir often with a heat resistant silicone whisk or spatula.

3. Cool & Scent Wax

Remove the pitcher from the heat immediately, after melting to avoid the wax from becoming too hot. Then clip a candle thermometer inside of the pitcher. 

Allow the temperature of the wax to cool to between 125°F to 120°F before adding 2.5 ounces of coffee oil. Either homemade from above or coffee essential oil or premium grade coffee oil. After adding the oil stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to thoroughly incorporate. 

4. Pour Scented Wax & Place Wicks

As the wax begins to melt dip the metal tab of each cotton wick into the wax. Carefully center and adhere to the bottom of each mug. Hold in place for a few seconds. After a few minutes, the wax will harden and it will have a good hold on the container. 

Next, gently pour your coffee-scented wax into each mug. Place an optional centering device over each wick to help keep them in place during the curing process. 

Before trimming each wick allow the candle mugs to cool and wax to harden 30 minutes to 1 hour. Trim each wick to about ¼ an inch. No matter how tempting, do not light your homemade coffee mug candles until they have cured for 3 days. Waiting 1 to 2 weeks will give your candles an even better scent throw.

Make a DIY coffee candle mug for yourself or give one to the coffee lovers in your life. They make quite an inexpensive gift when you upcycle a mug and make your own coffee oil. 

Have you made soy candles before? If not, don’t miss our thorough DIY candle making guide. Pin these creative coffee candle mugs now and tag #farmhousechicliving on Instagram to share your candle making with us.