I love Starbucks and chances are you do too. However, once the novelty of frozen coffee drinks wore off, it became increasingly harder for me to spend $4 on tasty treat. Yes, they are convenient. Yes, they are delicious. But, I must ask myself, are there really worth it? Does an alternative exist that is just as delicious and won't break the bank?
And so, I set out to find it.
This frappuccino has the right consistency and flavor of a coffee shop frozen drink. They can be made at home in the same time it would take a barista to serve you up one. And it will cost you cents to make instead of an entire savings account, which comes as a great relief to this poor college student.
Mocha Frappuccino
From Savory Sweet Life
Yields 1 serving
1 1/2 cups ice cubes
3/4 cup of milk
1 teaspoon espresso powder mixed in 1/4 cup hot water*
1 tablespoon sugar (more or less to taste)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
whipped cream (optional)
* If you are fancy and have an espresso machine, use 2 ounces of espresso and eliminate the espresso powder and hot water. Or, if you only have a coffee maker, you can use strong coffee in place of the espresso powder and hot water. Use 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of strong coffee and cut back on the milk accordingly.
Blend together ice, milk, espresso (cooled), sugar, and chocolate syrup. Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream. For an extra touch, garnish with cocoa powder or chocolate syrup.
Now go get your frozen coffee fix!