Make Your Own Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino

I am craaaazy crazy about Starbucks, but need to watch my coffee budget more closely these days.  I've been craving my beloved Caramel Frappuccinos but can't stomach the cost for a daily dose of that sweet, caffeinated bliss.  I experimented at home today and sure enough, for the cost of 2 of these drinks, I can easily make 6-8 at home.

Starbucks: $4.25 for one tall
Home: $4.99 Vanilla Latte, $1.99 Caramel syrup, $1.49 whipped cream, ice = $8.47 for at least 6 talls

And I promise you, the taste is spot on because I used the premade Starbucks iced vanilla latte (sold at most grocery stores).  You could easily make yours completely from scratch with brewed espresso (you can buy tins of espresso instant coffee) and milk, but then your flavor will be different.

Anyway, here's the simple recipe!  Let the savings and cravings commence.  :D

Supplies

• 4 to 8 oz Starbucks vanilla latte drink (vary depending on desired size and consistency)
• 5-6 ice cubes
• Drizzle of caramel syrup (I like the Hershey's bottled kind)
• Whipped cream

Directions

1. Blend latte, ice cubes, and a drizzle of caramel syrup in blender.  I first used the ice chop setting for about 20 seconds, then the liquefy setting for 45 seconds until the drink reached the right consistency.
2. Drizzle caramel syrup in glass (or better yet- reusable Starbucks cold cup!), pour in blended drink, top with whipped cream, and drizzle with additional caramel syrup.

My tips: 

If the drink is too liquid, resembling a slightly more frozen version of the latte drink, add more ice.  

If the drink is separating into ice and liquid layers, you need fewer ice cubes and/or to blend for a shorter period of time.

Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Ready for an extra special fall treat for yourself and/or your friends?  Pop some coffee, milk, and pumpkiny goodness in your crock pot and you're set.  The recipe really is delicious and hit the spot on a fall afternoon.  Thanks go to Crock-a-doodle-do for the recipe!

Ingredients

• 4 cups strong brewed coffee
• 6 cups milk
• 6 tablespoons canned pumpkin
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• Whipped cream and cinnamon sugar for topping

Directions

1. Pour coffee and milk into crock pot.  Whisk in pumpkin, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.  
2. Cover and set on low for 4 hours, or high for 2.  
3. Turn crock pot down to "keep warm" setting or just turn off 30 minutes before serving, unless you want coffee scorching hot.  Whisk before serving.
4. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar to serve.

Red, White, and Blue Punch

Continuing the festivities, a friend recommended that I make this colorful punch for the 4th of July.  Done!  So simple, and tasty, too.  While I like the layers, I do recommend stirring to serve.  Otherwise, you're just serving one layer at a time, and not a mixture of those tasty flavors.  They do blend nicely. :)

Ingredients

• Cranberry juice (I used a cranberry/raspberry mixture)
• Blue Gatorade Frost
• Diet Sprite (it HAS to be diet to separate to its own layer)
• Ice

Directions

1. Put ice in bottom of pitcher or beverage dispenser.  Pour cranberry juice on top, filling pitcher about 1/3 of the way.  
2. Then pour Gatorade, being careful to pour it onto the ice, and not just into the pitcher.  If you pour over the ice, it will not mix in with the cranberry juice- it will make its own layer on top.  Pour until the pitcher is 2/3 full.  
3. Then pour the Sprite over the ice until the pitcher is full.

Grinch Punch

There were some misleading accounts on Pinterest on how to concoct this beverage, so I kinda mashed up a couple that I saw to get my own tasty version.

Ingredients

• Sprite, 7 UP, or any other lemon lime soda
• Lime sherbet (I always thought it was sherbert.  The packaging told me NO, only 1 r.  Hmpf.)
• Green sprinkles

Yeah, seriously, that's it people.

Directions

1. Fill a pitcher about 3/4 full with Sprite.  Add 7-8 scoops of sherbeRt (take that stupid word) and stir.
2. Wet top of drink glasses with water.  Dip top of glass in sprinkles.
3. Pour punch into your festive glasses and enjoy!