Put The Kettle On - It's Brew Monday!
Brew Monday is related to the dreaded Blue Monday – The third Monday of January that for some reason we all seem to feel blue – maybe because the festive season is over, or maybe it’s simply due to the dreary weather!
Brew Monday is the ultimate excuse to cosy up and sprinkle a little joy into your week with a hot drink! It’s a chance to embrace those warm, fuzzy feelings and carve out time to connect with coworkers, friends, or family over a comforting cup. Brew Monday is more than just a good cup of tea or coffee—it’s a celebration of mental health, a simple but meaningful reminder to check in on one another, and an opportunity to start the week with a burst of positivity.
Particularly in January, when the days can feel long and the post-holiday slump sets in, taking a few moments to pause, relax, and enjoy a brew can do wonders for your well-being. You’d be surprised how much difference a cuppa and a friendly chat can make to someone’s day—and it’s the kind of connection that’s especially powerful at this time of year.
Whether you’re at home, at work, or anywhere in between, Brew Monday is for anyone who wants to make a little time for themselves and those around them. It’s a reminder that sometimes the smallest gestures—like sharing a cup of tea or coffee—can have the biggest impact. And that’s why we think it’s worth celebrating.
So why should you keep reading? Because Brew Monday offers the perfect excuse to break from the usual routine, uplift your spirits, and foster genuine human connection. It’s more than just sipping tea—it’s about taking a moment to reflect on our well-being, supporting one another, and spreading kindness in a world that often feels overwhelmingly busy.
Take a break, put the kettle on, and invite those around you to do the same. Let Brew Monday be your reminder that connection, even in its simplest form, can create a ripple effect of positivity. In a time when everyone is juggling countless tasks, taking a moment to listen, engage, and uplift one another is invaluable.
So, gather your loved ones, colleagues, or neighbours, and let’s turn Brew Monday into a tradition that spreads joy, one sip at a time.
Here are some fun ideas to host the perfect Brew Monday and make it an event your friends, colleagues, or family will cherish!
1. Coffee Morning
Host a cozy coffee morning with your favorite beverages! Head to your local café, bakery, or supermarket for a selection of herbal teas, flavored coffees, and indulgent hot chocolates. You can keep the invite simple with a digital message or create custom flyers to spread the word.
Pro Tip: If you want to go the extra mile, look into organisations or charities that support mental health initiatives for Brew Monday. Consider making a donation to these causes to amplify the impact of your event.
2. Brewing Barista
Set up a DIY Barista station! With so many hot beverage options available (think matcha lattes, caramel hot chocolates, and lemon-ginger teas), you can create a little café vibe right at home or in the office. Prepare a digital menu with fan favorites so guests can make their own, or if you’re feeling adventurous, channel your inner barista and serve them yourself.
If you’re setting this up at work, grab some takeaway cups and a sharpie to personalise your ‘customers’ cups just like a real coffee shop!
Ideas for the Barista Menu:
- Green tea, peppermint tea, and classic black tea
- Lemon-ginger or Turkish apple tea
- Matcha lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites
- Caramel hot chocolate and spiced chai lattes
If you don’t fancy hot drinks with all the bells and whistles, check out these easy recipes for a good old fashioned brew.
Now for all you beverage enthusiasts, Starbucks have a recipe page for their drinks which are easy to follow and absolutely delicious! Grab some ingredients and give these a go. If you still need some tips on how to make the perfect brew, we’ve got you covered!
3. Brew Crawl
Get ready to embark on a caffeinated adventure! Whip up a list of your favourite coffee shops and charming local bakeries that serve steamy brews, all just a short trip away from your office, home, or local high street. Once you’ve got your list confirmed, turn this into a map and work out your route to visit all your destinations! Plan your mission—like, does that corner bakery make the best salted caramel hot chocolate that is basically a hug in a mug? And what about that fancy coffee shop with the matcha latte you’ve been wanting to try? Or maybe you’re on the hunt for that delicious herbal tea that whittards sell—let’s get moving and put our taste buds to the test!
Don’t forget to add a tick box to your map so you can check off your delicious stops along the way, plus a notes section for all those tempting new drinks to try on your next outing. Cheers to tasty adventures!
If you want to find some new spots, you can look out for the coffee club and search their locations or have read up on where other people think the best places are!
4. Taste Test – Competition
Brew Monday is good fun but the reality is that it’s a tough day for people and this struggle isn’t always visible. There are lots of charities that support mental health and fundraise on Brew Monday, get involved by creating your own taste test competition with friends, family or coworkers! You will need a blindfold – but a scarf, tie, anything you can use will do! Have around 3x types of flavoured teas, hot chocolates and lattes, these will be shot sized as you don’t want people getting full and running to the loo mid competition. Once they have sampled a flavour, they will tell the team what they think the flavour is but this needs to be guessed within 10 seconds of tasting!
You can put on a spread of delicious baked treats and biscuits, because lets be honest a hot drink isn’t complete without a snack. Look to ask for a donation of £1 or more per person to participate, this will go towards the charity chosen by you to aid Brew Monday.
The charities often have an online fundraising pack that you can request to ensure you are representing them at your event, if they don’t then you can create your own digital flyers or printed pages.
Support Mental Health Charities
One of the key themes of Brew Monday is supporting mental health, so consider making a donation to mental health charities that provide services and support to those in need. A simple gesture like this can make a huge difference and help raise awareness for important causes.
The main charity that support Brew Monday is The Samaritans, you can take a look at their amazing work and online resources!
5. Spread the Word
If you don’t feel up to creating a full blown event, you can always do your own social media campaign with friends where you take a picture of yourself or group with your brews and post with a representing hashtag supporting Brew Monday. Encourage others to participate by sharing Brew Monday’s message of connection and support on social media. Post a photo of your Brew Monday gathering or simply share why it’s important to take time for mental well-being. Use hashtags like #BrewMonday and #BrewingBetterTogether to join the larger movement.
How can you get started with your event? Here’s a quick guide:
- Plan Plan Plan Decide on the format of your Brew Monday gathering—will it be virtual or in person? Will you host it in the morning or throughout the day or are you extending it to the weekend? Set a date and time that works for everyone.
- Invite your pals: Is this a family event, focused for friends or an office event? Whether you’re creating a digital invite, sending a whatsapp, or printing some invites, make sure you give people enough notice so they can participate and prepare – especially if you want people to enga.
- Prepare Your Beverages: Make a shopping list of all the ingredients you need to make your fancy beverages including any milk alternatives, don’t forget about any accessories you might need like a milk frother. For a DIY Barista station, have your coffee, tea, and milk (or alternatives) ready, along with any fun extras like flavored syrups or marshmallows – which we highly recommend.
- Share the Moment: Make sure to document the fun! Take photos, make memories, and don’t forget to share your Brew Monday experience with others on social media to spread the joy.
So, what’s the takeaway? Brew Monday is the perfect excuse to pause, connect, and brighten someone’s day—all with a simple cup of tea or coffee. Whether you’re sipping alone or hosting an event, the small act of sharing a brew can have a big impact on mental well-being.
As you sip your drink, take a moment to reflect on the power of human connection. Let’s make Brew Monday a tradition that we celebrate with kindness, conversation, and, of course, plenty of brews! And remember, your gesture might just be the highlight of someone else’s day.
