Starbucks. My heart says yes, my meal plan says no. Here are a few ways to make Starbucks’ delicious options without paying the price.
1. Caramel Macchiato
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vanilla syrup (recipe follows)
1/2 cup fresh espresso
1 cup milk, steamed and frothy with foam
3 – 4 tablespoons caramel sauce (I used the same jarred caramel sauce that is sold as an ice cream topping)
For the Vanilla syrup:
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1. To make the vanilla syrup, combine sugar and water in a sauce pan. Bring to boil over high heat and boil for 5 minutes. Let cool and add vanilla extract. Stir well and keep in a sealed container, refrigerated.
2. To make coffee, either use an espresso machine to make coffee and steam milk, or heat milk until hot, but not boiling on stove-top and transfer to a blender. Blend until frothy. For espresso, if you don’t have a machine, just make double strength coffee.
3. Add vanilla syrup, espresso or strong coffee and hot milk to mug. Add caramel sauce and serve.
2. Hot Mocha
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons instant coffee powder
1 cup skim milk
½ teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
In a medium saucepan stir together sugar, cocoa powder, and coffee crystals. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Heat over medium heat until warm. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Makes 4 (6oz) servings.
3. Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients:
2 shots Espresso
3 oz milk combined with 3oz ½ steamed and ½ frothed milk
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
1 tablespoon white mocha tollhouse chips
Directions:
Mix to taste. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.
4. White Chocolate Mocha
Ingredients:
2/3 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons white chocolate chips
Coffee
Whipped Cream
Directions:
Add milk and chocolate chips to saucepan. Heat until chips are melted. Meanwhile make coffee in espresso machine. Pour half of milk mixture in coffee mug and fill the rest of mug with coffee. Add whipped cream. (makes about 2 mugs)
5. Chai Latte
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 regular tea bags
1/8-1/4 teaspoon each of ginger and cardamon
1 whole clove
1 cinnamon stick
6 splenda packets or 1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 c. milk
Directions:
In a sauce pan, add water, spices, and tea bags. Bring it to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes. Don’t worry if a tea bag breaks open, you can strain the tea later. Now add the Splenda. If you’d rather, you can use 1/4 cup of sugar. Now add the milk, and return it to a boil. Strain out any left over tea.