Drinks

Most of us would get tired eating the same ol' thing every day. So why would drinks be any different?

Here are six drink recipes to help you through the day, including Ginger Tea, Cocoa Java, and Starbucks Caramel Frappucchino Copycat. Do I have your attention yet? Enjoy!

SINGLE-SERVE PUMPKIN SPICED LATTE

This yumminess is from Folgers. Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 1 minute; Servings: 1; Difficulty: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.folgerscoffee.com/recipes/drinks/single-serving-pumpkin-spiced-latte.

Ingredients

1 Folgers Gourmet Selections® Lively Colombian Coffee K-Cup® pod

Pinch pumpkin pie spice, plus additional for garnish

Vanilla-flavored coffee creamer

whipped cream

Directions

Brew coffee on smallest cup setting into coffee cup.

Stir in pumpkin pie spice and creamer to taste.

Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice.

CREAMY GOLDEN MILK SMOOTHIE

This is from Minimalist Baker, and begins, "If you’re into golden milk, this smoothie is a must-try! It requires 7 wholesome ingredients (you likely have on hand right now), 1 blender, and 5 minutes to make. Let’s do this!"

Okay, I'd never heard of golden milk until I stumbled across this, as well as the link above (golden milk), but now I'm intrigued, as I'm sure you are, too.

Anywho, the recipe goes on, "The base of this smoothie is frozen banana for natural sweetness and a creamy texture. We tested other fruits and nothing quite worked. But if you’re trying (or prefer) to avoid banana, we include another option in the notes!

"For anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestion benefits, we included plenty of fresh ginger and ground turmeric. Black pepper boosts the absorption of turmeric, so we added that as well. And don’t forget cinnamon for more natural sweetness and warmth.

"Coconut milk keeps things super creamy, and as an optional touch, we threw in some fresh carrot juice to balance the banana flavor and provide an even more intense orange (golden) hue."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes; Makes 1 serving

To view this online, go to https://minimalistbaker.com/creamy-golden-milk-smoothie/.

Ingredients

Smoothie

1 cup banana* (ripe, sliced, and frozen)

1 cup light coconut milk or almond milk (or store-bought // use full-fat coconut for creamier smoothie)

1/2 tsp ground turmeric (preferred flavor over fresh)

1 Tbsp fresh ginger (plus more to taste)

1 Dash ground cinnamon

1 Dash black pepper

1 Dash ground nutmeg

1 Dash ground clove and cardamom (optional // for more warmth + spice)

1/4 cup fresh carrot juice* (optional // for color, added sweetness + balances banana flavor // or sub 1 small carrot!)

For Serving (optional)

1 Tbsp Hemp seeds

Directions

Add banana, coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, and nutmeg to a high-speed blender and blend on high until creamy and smooth. If including, add cardamom, clove, and fresh carrot juice at this time (optional).

If too thick, thin with more coconut milk or water. If too thin, thicken with ice (or more frozen banana, though it will add more sweetness).

Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more cinnamon for warmth, black pepper for spice, ginger for “zing,” turmeric for earthiness / more intense color, or banana for sweetness. Adding carrot juice will also add sweetness and more intense orange/yellow hue.

Divide between serving glasses and enjoy immediately. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Freeze leftovers by pouring into an ice cube tray and use for future smoothies (either this smoothie or others you’d like to infuse with a golden milk flavor).

Notes

*If you’re trying to avoid/sub banana, we’d recommend using the recommended amount of carrot juice, swap the banana for the same amount of cauliflower, and add some vanilla protein powder for sweetness.

*Make carrot juice in a juicer, buy at the store, or add 1 raw or cooked carrot to the smoothie to a similar effect.

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate based on full recipe calculated with light (canned) coconut milk and without optional ingredients.

GINGER TEA

This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Ginger is Mother Nature’s protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days. This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey. Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.”

2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

12 thin slices fresh ginger, pounded with mortar or rolling pin

1 Tbs. honey

Preparation

Put ginger and 3 cups water in small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.

Strain out ginger slices and discard or reserve for another use. Stir in honey, and serve hot. Tea can be reheated, if necessary.

STARBUCKS CARAMEL FRAPPUCCINO COPYCAT

This is from Kiley Heidtbrink at AllRecipes. Kiley wrote, "This is my version of Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino! It's easy to make at home by blending coffee with milk, caramel sauce, and ice. Top each glass with whipped cream and drizzle more caramel sauce on top. Serve with a straw."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes; Servings: 2

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/235850/starbucks-caramel-frappuccino-copycat-recipe/.

Ingredients

2 cups ice

1 cup strongly brewed black coffee, cooled

1 cup low-fat milk

1/3 cup caramel sauce

3 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

Blend ice, coffee, milk, caramel sauce, and sugar together in a blender on high speed until smooth.

Pour into two 16-ounce glasses.

Tips

You can make strong coffee by using 2 tablespoons ground coffee beans per 1 cup water in your coffee maker.

CAFE DE OLLA

The recipe for this yummy coffee is from the December 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 47. It starts off, “Literally 'coffee from the pot,' this recipe offers a simple way to make coffee for a crowd, with a spiced twist that no one can resist.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 cinnamon sticks

4 star anise

4 allspice berries

4 whole cloves

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or 4 oz. piloncillo (Mexican raw sugar cones)

2 cups medium grind, dark roast coffee beans

2 cups low-fat milk

1 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, optional

Directions

Lightly crush cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice, and cloves with mortar and pestle. Place in resealable plastic bag, and pound with rolling pin. Transfer to large saucepan, and add sugar and 8 cups water. Bring mixture to a boil, and simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add coffee, and let steep 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, warm milk in small saucepan, and whisk until frothy.

Strain coffee through fine sieve or coffee filter into pitcher. Stir in coffee liqueur (if using). Serve with frothed milk.

COCOA JAVA

This recipe, from My Food and Family, begins, "You'll need just five minutes and three ingredients to make this tasty coffee drink. Share it with your family for a special treat!"

Prep Time/Total Time: 5 minutes

To view this online, go to https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/recipe/050780/cocoa-java.

Ingredients

2 env. instant hot cocoa mix

1-1/2 cups hot freshly brewed MAXWELL HOUSE Coffee

1/4 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Directions

Empty cocoa mix into 2 large mugs or cups.

Add coffee; stir until mix is dissolved.

Top with COOL WHIP.

Kitchen Tips

Tip 1

Substitute

Prepare using MAXWELL HOUSE Italian Espresso Roast Coffee.

Tip 2

Substitute

Prepare using instant reduced-calorie hot cocoa mix, or flavored instant hot cocoa mix.

Tip 3

Special Extra

To serve garnished with shaved chocolate, pull vegetable peeler across surface of 1 oz. BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate to form shavings. Fill mugs with ingredients as directed; top with shaved chocolate.