A system, including an alarm which is synchronized with a coffeemaker, is used to coordinate wake-up time with coffee brewing time. In one embodiment of the invention, the alarm includes an alarm timer, an alarm controller, alarm input (e.g., dial or button), a speaker, circuitry for sound generation and a display. A user sets the alarm timer, and the speaker is capable of providing a sound to wake the user at the set time. The circuitry for sound generation is capable of generating a tone and transmitting the tone with the same speaker. This tone is transmitted to an electric coffeemaker which includes, a tone receptor (e.g., microphone and amplifier), and coffee brewing circuitry. The tone receptor receives the tone generated by the alarm and forwards related data to the coffee brewing circuitry. The coffee brew cycle is activated in response. The alarm may be an alarm clock radio and the speaker may transmit an ultrasonic or audible tone. Moreover, activation of the brew cycle may be programmed to occur at a specific time before or after the wake-up time.