Tag Archives: starbucks

#NationalPumpkinDay

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Happy #NationalPumpkinDay!

It seems like everywhere I turn, there’s something pumpkin flavored or pumpkin spiced something. I used to think this was such a novelty, but now it’s almost overboard! I’m admittedly a huge pumpkin-spice latte fan, from Starbucks. I went to get one at the beginning of the season though, and it was $6. $6. $6! For a coffee.

I thought that in honor of #NationalPumpkinDay it’d be appropriate to give you all a homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe that you can make on your own for considerably less money.

This recipe, from Betty Crocker, makes 10 servings of pumpkin spiced lattes! Perfect recipe to finish a fall dinner party and serve with dessert.

In a slow cooker, mix the following ingredients, and whisk until well combined: 5 cups strong brewed coffee, 4 cups milk (2% or whole), 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream. 1/4 cup canned pumpkin, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, stirring once after the first hour.

THAT IS IT. Serve in mugs and top with whipped cream if desired!

How amazing is that? So easy, all inexpensive ingredients, and made in a slow cooker, no less – couldn’t be easier or less expensive. Enjoy!

#NationalLemonadeDay

national_lemonade_day

Happy #NationalLemonadeDay!

Lemonade is one of those drinks that screams summertime and is always refreshing. It’s the kind of drink that I always forget how much I like it, and when I have it after awhile ask myself why I don’t have it more often! I thought it’d be fun today to compile some of my favorite ‘copycat’ recipes for the tastiest lemonade drinks I can think of. Here’s my top 3!

I LOVE Starbucks’ iced tea lemonade drinks – they’re perfect for me – not too sweet or sour and so, so refreshing.

Food.com has a really awesome recipe for Starbuck’s shaken iced peach green tea lemonade – quite the mouthful, but soooo great! Save some money with this ultra easy recipe: steep 4 bags of green tea in 4 cups boiled water for 3 minutes and let cool. Add 4 cups of lemonade of your choice (check out MyFrugalAdventure’s lemonade recipe – its easy, simple, and you can control how sweet you want it to be!). Fill a cup with ice cubes, add 4 tablespoons of peach syrup (you can order a huge bottle of Torani Peach Syrup off of Amazon for under $15 and it will last you for a VERY long time). Pour in your tea/lemonade mixture and you’ve got a tasty beverage!

iced_peach_green_tea_lemonade

Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade [starbucks.com]

I also really love Starbucks’ Passion Tea Lemonade and it could not be easier to recreate! FrugalCouponLiving makes a really awesome version of this. Boil 2 bags of Tazo Passion Tea (you can buy a 20 count box from Walmart for under $3!). Remove from heat and add in sugar to taste and vanilla. Allow to sit and refrigerate for an hour. Add ice, add lemonade of choice (I love MyFrugalAdventure’s!) and shake well to mix! That’s all!

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Starbucks’ Passion Tea Lemonade [http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/2014/04/29/copycat-starbucks-passion-tea-lemonade-recipe/]

Finally, I also love the ever-timeless Chick-Fil-A lemonade – don’t knock it ’till you try it! CincyShopper has a great copycat recipe that couldn’t be easier. Chick-Fil-A recomments that you use Sunkist Brand Lemonade, but you can use any of your choice. I’ll warn you now, this is SUGARY – you’ll then add a full cup of sugar! You can also use a substitute sugar to taste – I prefer Splenda myself…then simply add 5 cups of water and refrigerate to chill. Delicious and simple!

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Chick-Fil-A Copycat Lemonade [http://cincyshopper.com/copycat-chick-fil-lemonade-recipe/]

So there you have it! Enjoy a refreshing glass of lemonade on this #nationallemonadeday!

My Starbucks Rewards

My Starbucks Rewards, aka, my lifeblood.

As much as I try to make my own coffee at home, a Starbucks coffee on the go is both unavoidable and unrivaled! All you have to do is register a gift card (who doesn’t have these lying around from holiday stocking stuffers?) and earn a ‘star’ per purchase. You can achieve different levels depending on your frequency of purchase, but every 5 stars = free refills, and after 30 stars, every 12 stars =1 free drink or food item. Not a shabby deal if you are a frequent Starbucks drinker.

My favorite part of the reward program? A free drink of ANY SIZE or a food item during your birthday month! Pretty great, and I’ve used it for two years straight now!

They also send you deals throughout the month – BOGOs, special deals for special times, etc. available only to rewards programs users. VIP Status!

Download the app today – why not?

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MyStarbucksRewards

Apple: Starbucks for iPhone

Android: Starbucks for Android

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