Okay, so I borrowed this title from Emily. But Starbucks seems to be a recurring theme in our family. When did it all begin? Well, we'll have to review a little Warnygora history. All of your grandparents were coffee drinkers, so coffee is in your blood. Growing up on the farm, coffee was served for breakfast, dinner & supper, as well as 2 coffee breaks called "lunch" and again before bedtime! By the time I met Grandpa Warnygora he had developed a love for very strong coffee, probably from his days in the army and his years as a traveling casket salesman, or perhaps from visiting the Largents & Seattle, home of Starbucks! So you see, you were destined to be Starbucks lovers!
But when did Starbucks actually enter our lives? When we first moved to Northbrook there was not a Starbucks in town, which was ok cuz we hadn't had one in Minnesota either. So where did we meet our friends and enjoy a good cuppa joe while the dads were at work? Well, somedays we would join Deb, Johanna & Soren along with Doreen, Evan & Lauren at McDonalds for a happy meal and jumping in the ball pit. Other times we would meet at the Country Maid Cafe, which was located near the current Georgie V's.
We loved the Country Maid, even though it stands out as one of the oddest places ever! It was a very old diner, with a counter and stools to sit at and very old diner-style tables & chairs all squeezed into a tiny little cafe. The floor tiles were cracked, the bathroom was permanently dirty and yet the place was always packed! We would all jam in around a tiny table and order Persians (giant iced cinnamon rolls) and huge jelly donuts, or if it was lunch time grilled cheese all around. We would watch the dirty construction workers sitting at the counter next to the ladies in their floor length fur coats dragging in the puddles on the floor, while a table full of businessmen next to us tried to have a meeting as a group of old ladies gossiped loudly. The gum chewing waitresses would bring the moms our hot black coffee in old stained, chipped cups and saucers, sometimes with someone else's lipstick still on the rim. It was crazy, but it was what we had, so we loved it!
Then one day Starbucks opened! It was across the street, closer to the V&S Variety store, which all you kids loved! I'm not sure how or exactly when it happened, but little by little we began going to Starbucks every now and then. And so did some of the other Country Maid regulars, the fur coat ladies, the business men, even the man with the top hat and bulb shaped nose who still goes there today! Little by little the Country Maid lost it's regulars and had to close it's doors. But by then we had become hooked!
Since winter is giving us one last icy blast today, it's a great day to celebrate Starbucks with a few copy cat recipes of some of our favorite warm and cozy Starbucks beverages. And since warm weather will eventually come, I'll throw in a few recipes for some Starbucks summertime favorites. Get ready to enjoy!
Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Begin by preparing a good quality hot chocolate, I suggest Ghiaradelli. Heat 1 cup of milk (whole milk will give a nice rich flavor) in a saucepan on the stovetop, keeping it just under a boil. Add the amount of chocolate as directed on the package, whisking until it is completely dissolved. Remove from heat.
Add 1 tablespoon caramel syrup to a mug and swish it around to coat the walls of the mug. If you have caramel in a squeeze bottle you can drizzles it down the walls as you add it to the mug.
Carefully pour in the chocolate. Top with a generous spritz of whipped cream, add a drizzle of caramel, a sprinkle of good sea salt and a dusting of turbinado sugar crystals.
Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice
This is one of my favorites! It has no caffiene and tastes like warm apple pie, YUM!
Pour apple juice or cider into your favorite mug and stir in about 1 teaspoon Starbucks cinnamon dolce syrup (you can buy it from Starbucks). Heat in microwave to desired temperature. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel syrup. Enjoy!
Chai Tea Latte
I was introduced to this all time favorite by your cousin, Andy Largent, when we were visiting Seattle years ago. It remains my go to drink in any season. Please only use Tazo chai concentrate. Oregon and other brands are just not as good and would be a waste of time and money! The Tazo concentrate used in Starbucks is stronger and is diluted with water, we can't get the exact taste at home but this comes pretty close!
Choose a good mug, fill it with equal amounts of Tazo chai and milk , leaving room for foam. Heat to desired temperature in microwave. Get out your frother and give it a nice head of foam. Now sit in a comfy chair and prepare to relax........... ahhhhh!
Iced Chai Latte or Blended Chai -make at least 1 day in advance
Prepare equal amounts of chai and milk in a glass measuring cup. Fill an ice cube tray and let freeze. Refrigerate the rest of the mixture. When ready to enjoy, place several chai cubes in a chilled glass, pour chai mixture over ice, sip slowly with a straw. For a blended chai, pour chai cubes and chai mixture into blender pitcher. Blend until smooth, then pour into chilled glass. Use a straw for maximum refreshment!
Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino - make at least 1 day in advance
Prepare 6 cups of double strength dark roast coffee. Fill ice cube trays with 1/2 of the coffee and place in the freezer. Combine the remaining coffee with 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and 2 cups nonfat milk. Whisk until the cocoa is dissolved. Cover and chill.
When ready to enjoy place 1/2 of the coffee cubes and 1/2 of the coffee mixture into a blender pitcher. Blend until smooth. Pour into 2 frosty glasses, top with whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder. Instant cool!
Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino - make at least 1 day in advance
Prepare coffee ice cubes as directed above. Mix 3 cups of double strength coffee with 2 cups of nonfat milk, cover and chill. When ready to enjoy place 1/2 of the coffee cubes and 1/2 of coffee mixture in blender pitcher. Add 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup and 2 tablespoons chocolate chips. Blend until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses, top with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. This could be your new favorite, be prepared!
