Category: Drinks

Posted in Drinks, Holiday/Christmas, Recipes

Homemade Peppermint Mocha

Posted on by traci

I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to make a peppermint mocha that wasn’t full of a lot of calories.

Can I be honest? The ones from Starbucks are not my favorite. They add way too much chocolate. I would rather have the peppermint shine through. I love peppermint in my lattes so that makes sense.

Yesterday I found a peppermint mocha ground coffee at Aldi’s so that is what I’m using for the coffee part of the recipe. So good.

For the recipe:

  • ground coffee – I used peppermint mocha flavored coffee.
  • peppermint syrup
  • almond milk – I used vanilla unsweetened almond milk. You could use real milk or any non dairy milk. I just prefer almond milk.
  • cacao powder
  • whipped cream

Peppermint Mocha Latte

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 to 2 Tbsp. ground coffee (I used a reusable K cup pod for my coffee maker.)
  • 1 Tbsp. peppermint syrup
  • 1/2 c. milk (dairy or non dairy)
  • 1 to 2 tsp. cacao powder
  • 2 Tbsp. whipped cream

Steps:

  1. Add the peppermint syrup to the mug.
  2. Then brew the coffee. I brew my coffee using the bold setting.
  3. While it’s brewing, froth the milk and cacao powder.
  4. After the coffee is done brewing, top with frothed milk and whipped cream.
  5. Enjoy!

Note: You either need to use a frother or froth it without a frother. Place milk and cacao powder in a mason jar, place the lid on it, and then shake it. (Arm workout) Once it’s increased in volume, remove the lid carefully. Microwave it for 30 to 60 seconds.

Stay kind!

Have a magical day,
Traci

Posted in DIY, Drinks, Recipes

Peach Simple Syrup and Peach Iced Tea

Posted on by traci

 

When I was 20 years old, I participated in the Walt Disney World College Program.  I was a quick service hostess at the Disney-MGM Studios’ Sunset Ranch Market.  While I was there I met a lot of people.  Molly and I were co-workers who spent a lot of time together during the four months we were down there.

Continue reading “Peach Simple Syrup and Peach Iced Tea” →

Posted in DIY, Drinks, Recipes

Raspberry Simple Syrup

Posted on by traci

We love our ice tea and lemonade at our house.  When we go out to eat at a restaurant called Bob Evans, I almost order a flavored ice tea.  Yum!

I decided I needed to recreate the flavored ice tea at my house.  Especially since summer is going to be here before we know it.

My iced tea is made in my coffee maker.  Last July, I got rid of my Keurig.  I loved it for a long time but had been using my own grounds in little reusable coffee filters the majority of the time so I decided I would just bite the bullet and go back to a traditional coffee maker.  I ended up with a Hamilton Beach Brewstation.  Instead of a glass carafe, there is a removable reservoir.  It has a setting on it for iced coffee.  I used it for iced tea instead.  Hey, it works and is delicious.  Just make sure you wash the reservoir out before and after brewing the tea because you don’t want it the tea to taste like coffee and vice versa.

Now onto the raspberry simple syrup.
photo Raspberry Simple Syrup_zps44dul1ha.jpg
Raspberry Simple Syrup

adapted from Geeks with Drinks

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 c. white granulated sugar
  • 1 c. water
  • 2 c. raspberries (washed and dried)

Steps:

  1. Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium high heat.
  2. Stir until sugar is combined.   (The sugar will become “clear.”)
  3. Add the raspberries.  Bring to a simmer and then reduce heat to medium low.  Cook for 12 minutes.  Keep a close eye on it.
  4. Remove from the heat.  Cover and allow it to seep for 10 minutes.
  5. Strain the syrup.
  6. Enjoy in tea or lemonade.

photo IMG_0688_zpsbs4kgfp6.jpg

photo 563a2b8c-7b3c-4f2c-9067-04e52e5c24a0_zpsf5mtgdr1.jpg
Happy eating,
Traci

Posted in breakfast, Drinks, easy, Recipes, Smoothie

Copycat “Blimey Limey” (Tropical Smoothie)

Posted on by traci

My favorite smoothie from Tropical Smoothie is the Blimey Limey.  I decided to recreate it but there is a lack of recipes for copycat “Blimey Limey” recipes.  Eventually I found one recipe so I adapted the recipe a little bit by removing the sweetener.  I loved it without the sweetener.

Continue reading “Copycat “Blimey Limey” (Tropical Smoothie)” →

Posted in DIY, Drinks

Do It Yourself Drinks and Creamers

Posted on by traci

I’ve only got 3 responses to my Poll so far.  I asked what recipes you would look like to be posted on this blog.

One of the responses asked for more Do It Yourself Convenience Foods.  I already have a bunch of DIY recipes on my blog.  So I’m going to share some of those recipes.

Today I’m sharing coffee creamers and drinks.  Later I’m going to share other DIY convenience foods.

Coffee Creamers:

cinnamon bun creamer

peppermint mocha creamer

Eggnog Coffee Creamer
Eggnog Creamer

Gingerbread creamer

Honey Vanilla Creamer

Drinks:

Hot Chocolate Mix #2

Hot Chocolate Mix

pumpkin spice latte

pumpkin spice latte
Pumpkin Spice Latte (another version)

Iced coffee
Iced Coffee

Happy Eating,
Traci

Posted in christmas making and baking, DIY, Drinks, Holiday/Christmas

Peppermint Mocha Creamer – Christmas Making and Baking

Posted on by traci

I’m enjoying making new creamers now that I got the ratio of milk/ half & half/ or heavy whipping cream to condensed milk.

This creamer needs to be warmed up so that the cocoa is dissolved.  I ended up having to strain the non dissolved cocoa so there isn’t any lumps left in it.

As you can see from my pictures, some of the cocoa did not dissolve.

peppermint mocha creamer Continue reading “Peppermint Mocha Creamer – Christmas Making and Baking” →

Eggnog Coffee Creamer
Posted in christmas making and baking, DIY, Drinks, Holiday/Christmas, Mason jars

Eggnog Creamer

Posted on by traci

If I could describe this creamer, I would say yum!

I made a batch of this on Monday evening.  The next morning, my coffee maker decided not to work.  😦  Finally my husband was able to get it to work on Wednesday afternoon.  We don’t know why it stopped working and why it began to work once again.  Crazy.

Wednesday evening, I was able to have a cup of coffee with this creamer.  It was even better then on Monday.

Continue reading “Eggnog Creamer” →

Posted in DIY, Drinks, easy, Recipes

Honey Vanilla Creamer

Posted on by traci

I made this for my coffee and then shared it with Hubby.  Hubby loves the flavor combination.

honey Vanilla Creamer #3Honey Vanilla Creamer

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 (14 oz.) can of condensed milk
  • 1 3/4 c. heavy cream or milk
  • 1/4 c. honey
  • 2 tsp. vanilla

Steps:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mason jar or some other type of jar.
  2. Shake the ingredients until combined.  (I shake it up each time I use the cream.)
  3. Use about 1 Tbsp. or more in your coffee.
  4. Enjoy!

Happy Eating,

Traci