Starbucks

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I will have to get some of the Aldi's pumpkin spice coffee you mentioned, that sounds good! I like coffee but I don't often brew it myself. I usually just get it at work! When i make iced coffee I use instant coffee. But this sounds good, so I will have to try it.

Also, you can just add regular pumpkin pie spice (from the spices section) to any coffee and it tastes good too.

If you need more of a caffeine boost I usually get an americano with the syrups. That is just espresso with hot water and it's delicious I add some cream in there too if you like that and it cuts down on the calories from the milk or you can get it without. I can't go the season without getting a gingerbread americano because it's by far my favorite. I also will do any of the sugar free syrups and it's 25cal without the cream in a venti. Delicious

I typically get the flavoured coffee for the Keurig (pumpkin spice, etc) and put a couple of tablespoons of nonfat vanilla creamer in it, I'm sure you can find some non-dairy. It gives me enough sweetness and flavour.

Usually when I go to Starbucks it's a treat so I get whatever drink I want in the smallest size and make room for the calories in my diary. I tried some of the "skinny" options and I just can't over the taste of the syrups they use for them.

My fav coffee right now is a venti pike roast misto with 1 pump pumpkin spice and 1 pump white mocha!!

That sounds amazing!

I loooove Starbucks and it is expensive, but if you use a gift card, you can register it and then you start getting rewards. I now have a Gold card (yea, I'm that addicted) and get a free drink after every 12 drinks. I try to limit my Starbucks trips to once a week because even though it's so good, it's also high in calories even when it's "light" or with skim. I might try some of these suggestions though.

Lately I've been adding hot cocoa mix to my coffee, along with a splash of milk. It's really good and under 100 calories. My favorite ones are Ghiradelli white chocolate peppermint and Private Selection caramel sea salt hot cocoa. So good with mixed with coffee

Hahahaha...I've been doing this too!

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Peppermint Mocha at home: 8 oz strong coffee, 1 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder, 1-2 packets of Stevia or other sweetener, 1/3 cup skim milk or light soy milk, and 1 Tsp peppermint extract. This is also very good iced or blended with ice!

Sub the peppermint extract for vanilla extract and sub the skim milk for coconut milk for a tasty coconut mocha.

Each of these has about 50-60 calories depending on brand/type of milk

i use a tassimo and i get the sugarfree syrups from starbucks (got some sf peppermint right now) and add 1/2 cup almond milk, so creamy and yum, 20 cals

Soy Misto!!!...with a little sprinkle of cinnamon:drinker:

I am a Starbucks junkie, but am also trying to loose weight. My favorite alternative is the Iced Coffee with a few pumps of the Gingerbread syrup, and then I add 3 Tbsp fat free half and half when I get to work, and a packet of Splenda/Equal. This tastes similar to an Iced Latte, but with half the calories, coming out to 110 calories.

You can get any frappachino as a light coffee version and have them put one pump of flavor in it (only adds 33 calories).

You can also do the same with iced or regular hot coffee...

They offer a skinny version of the Peppermint Mocha. 100 cals in a tall, 130 in a grande.


It's marvelous.

ABSOLUTELY!!!

Copy cat recipes for seasonal drinks

Gingerbread Latte

Gingerbread Syrup
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup fresh espresso
8 ounces milk, steamed (with a little foam)

Garnish
whipped cream
ground nutmeg


Directions

1. Make the gingerbread syrup by combining the water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Be sure the pan is not too small or the mixture could easily bubble over.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the syrup uncovered for 15 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat when it's done and slap a lid on it.

3. Make a double shot of espresso (1/2 cup) using an espresso machine. Use the machine to steam 8 ounces of milk, or heat up the milk in the microwave if your machine does not foam and steam milk.

4. Make your latte by first adding 1/2 cup espresso to a 16-ounce cup. Add 1/4 cup gingerbread syrup, followed by the steamed milk. Stir.

5. Top off the drink with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Makes 1 grande latte (16 ounces).


Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Ingredients:
milk
espresso
Starbucks pumpkin spice syrup (recipe below)
Directions:
1. Add pumpkin spice syrup to the bottom of your mug.
2. Steam your milk. Pour a little milk into your mug and stir to combine with syrup.
3. Pull a shot or two (depending) and immediately add to your milk/syrup.
4. Top with the rest of your steamed milk and froth. Stir together

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan.
Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves.
Add the spices and the pumpkin and continue to simmer for about 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not boil.
Remove from heat and strain the syrup through cheesecloth, tea towel, or strainer. Depending on the type of strainer you use, you may need to strain the syrup twice.
Allow the syrup to cool, then refrigerate the syrup in a tightly closed jar for up to a month.