Fall was fun, and I’m sad to see it go. We are now embarking on a new season the brings a whole new feel: winter! Since we are officially leaving fall, it’s time to retire Pumpkin spice for the year, and make room for some new delicious flavors that really embody winter, like caramel and peppermint.
Although Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which technically makes it feel like its still fall, winter is definitely here. You can feel it in the air, literally. Temperatures are dropping drastically, it’s getting darker sooner and finals week is slowly creeping up on us. It’s that much more important we start our mornings with enough energy to keep us going, and thriving through this season. Skip waiting in long lines for over-priced coffee, and make your own caramel and peppermint mochas and lattes that will make you feel like you’re celebrating this season the right way. Plus, with the money you’re saving you’ll be able to splurge a bit more around the holidays.
Caramel creme brulee latte
What you’ll need:
1 tablespoon of caramel syrup
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
10 oz coffee
Whipped cream
What to do:
1) Bring the caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and milk* to a simmer on low heat, while stirring frequently.
2) Pour these ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee.
3) Stir and enjoy!
*Technically a latte is steamed milk and espresso. If you have an espresso machine, warm up the milk, caramel and brown sugar together. After that is done heating, stir in vanilla and add one or two shots of espresso.
Caramel cinnamon mocha
What you’ll need:
2 teaspoons of caramel syrup
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup chocolate milk
10 oz coffee
What to do:
1) Simmer caramel, and cinnamon with chocolate milk until mixture is smooth.
2) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee. Stir and enjoy.
Caramel choco-cocomo mocha
What you’ll need:
2 teaspoons of caramel
2 teaspoons of coconut extract
1/2 cup chocolate milk
10 oz coffee
What to do:
1) Simmer caramel, and coconut with chocolate milk until mixture is smooth.
2) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee.
3) Stir and enjoy.
Peppermint latte
What you’ll need:
2 tablespoons mint extract
4 tablespoons of half-and-half
1/2 milk
10 oz coffee
What to do:
1) Simmer mint and half and half with milk in a medium pot.
2) Stir continuously until mixture is at a low boil.
3) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee. Stir and enjoy.
Mint mocha
1 tablespoon mint extract
2 teaspoons of chocolate sauce
1/2 cup chocolate milk
10 oz coffee
What to do:
1) Simmer chocolate sauce, mint and chocolate milk until mixture is smooth and thick in a pot.
2) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee.
3) Stir and enjoy.
White Chocolate Peppermint Latte
4 tablespoons of white chocolate sauce
1 tablespoon mint extract
3 tablespoons of half-and-half
1/2 cup milk
10 oz coffee
What to do:
1) In a pot, simmer white chocolate, mint and half-and-half with milk* until mixture is at a low boil.
2) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee.
3) Stir and enjoy.
* If you have an espresso machine, warm up the milk, white chocolate and half-and-half together. After that is done heating, stir in mint and add one or two shots of espresso.