The temperature hit 89 degrees here one day this week. The humidity was high as well, making the day sticky and uncomfortable. On the one hand it was terrific to have a day that finally was warm and sunny, but we don't have our air conditioners installed in our windows yet, so other methods of cooling must be relied upon.
One way I like to cool off on a hot afternoon is with a frozen coffee treat. Are you a fan of those frozen coffee drinks at your local coffee shop?
You know the ones I am talking about. Their names end with --uccino, or ---acchiato and if you drink one of them a day you will end up ---afatto and ---abroko.
It takes a little planning, but once I'm into the swing of summer I usually have all my frozen coffee treat ingredients on hand. That way I can control the outflow of $$ and the inflow of calories.
An essential tool in making a frosty cold coffee drink is a good blender. You'll need one that can chew up and spit out ice like there is no tomorrow. I'm using my trusty Ninja, but you may have another brand that works as well.
You'll also need some strong coffee, part of which you have frozen in cubes and and part chilled in your refrigerator. You'll want some milk, fat free works wonderfully, and a sweetener. My sweetener of choice is Splenda, or a sugar free flavored syrup sweetened with Splenda. I also keep some sugar free chocolate syrup on hand for days when a little chocolate is required with my frozen coffee treat.
Frozen Caramel Coffee Treat
Serves one
Total calories: 30
Place all of the ingredients in the jar of your blender and blend away. Start by pulsing the blender to break up the ice, then blend more continuously until the drink is think, smooth and frothy. Pour into your favorite tall glass.
The terrific thing about making this drink at home is that you can make it just the way you like it. In my case, I've skinnied down the calories as much as possible, but made a drink that I enjoy. At 30 calories it can't be beat. Compare that to a 310 calorie Grande Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks or a 220 calorie small Iced Caramel Swirl Latte from Dunkin Donuts. Maybe you've been thinking about trying one of those Frozen Hot Chocolates you've been hearing about from Dunkin Donuts? Think again. At 430 calories it's sure to help you pack on some extra poundage.
You don't like artificial sweeteners? Try agave nectar, honey or sugar. You like your drink sweeter than this? No problem, just add a teaspoon more of the sweetener. You'd like a mocha coffee treat? Again, no problem. Just add as much chocolate syrup (or sugar free chocolate syrup) as you like. Just remember to think about the calories added by each addition.
Summer is here, friends. Time to enjoy!
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| Frozen Caramel Coffee |
You know the ones I am talking about. Their names end with --uccino, or ---acchiato and if you drink one of them a day you will end up ---afatto and ---abroko.
It takes a little planning, but once I'm into the swing of summer I usually have all my frozen coffee treat ingredients on hand. That way I can control the outflow of $$ and the inflow of calories.
An essential tool in making a frosty cold coffee drink is a good blender. You'll need one that can chew up and spit out ice like there is no tomorrow. I'm using my trusty Ninja, but you may have another brand that works as well.
You'll also need some strong coffee, part of which you have frozen in cubes and and part chilled in your refrigerator. You'll want some milk, fat free works wonderfully, and a sweetener. My sweetener of choice is Splenda, or a sugar free flavored syrup sweetened with Splenda. I also keep some sugar free chocolate syrup on hand for days when a little chocolate is required with my frozen coffee treat.
Frozen Caramel Coffee Treat
Serves one
Total calories: 30
 |
| The Frozen Caramel Coffee Ingredients |
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, chilled
- 4 cubes of frozen coffee
- 1/3 cup fat free milk, chilled
- 2 teaspoons Caramel flavored sugar free syrup
Place all of the ingredients in the jar of your blender and blend away. Start by pulsing the blender to break up the ice, then blend more continuously until the drink is think, smooth and frothy. Pour into your favorite tall glass.
 |
| Frozen Caramel Coffee Ready to Sip |
The terrific thing about making this drink at home is that you can make it just the way you like it. In my case, I've skinnied down the calories as much as possible, but made a drink that I enjoy. At 30 calories it can't be beat. Compare that to a 310 calorie Grande Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks or a 220 calorie small Iced Caramel Swirl Latte from Dunkin Donuts. Maybe you've been thinking about trying one of those Frozen Hot Chocolates you've been hearing about from Dunkin Donuts? Think again. At 430 calories it's sure to help you pack on some extra poundage.
You don't like artificial sweeteners? Try agave nectar, honey or sugar. You like your drink sweeter than this? No problem, just add a teaspoon more of the sweetener. You'd like a mocha coffee treat? Again, no problem. Just add as much chocolate syrup (or sugar free chocolate syrup) as you like. Just remember to think about the calories added by each addition.
Summer is here, friends. Time to enjoy!
I really adore these kind of helpful hints. And it came at a great time b/c I've been researching blenders. My blender sucks at ice and sometimes if I want to make a smoothie, it takes FOREEEEVER to get through frozen fruit. I'm going to check out the Ninja now.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh, that frozen coffee looks so good. I've been making my iced coffee's using my Keurig. I love that machine.
ReplyDelete