1. Almond Rocha-Mocha Duo
Are you ready? Grab a favorite coffee mug.
INGREDIENTS:
- 8oz cup: your favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- Roughly 1/4 coffee mug: half and half, or favorite portion size.
- 1 piece: ground Almond Rocha candy (o.k., 2 pieces ground if necessary).
Optional: small spoon of chocolate syrup and whipped cream topping.
Sprig of mint leaf: added as a garnish on top.
DIRECTIONS:
A very pleasant drink, especially during the holidays. Almond Rocha candy is very popular in the Pacific Northwest. It is often given as a gift during the holidays, and most are very happy to receive this tasty concoction of premium candy.
Simply pour your favorite coffee into a mug, next stir in the finely ground Almond Rocha. Optionally add some extra Almond Rocha if desired, and top with a small mint leaf. Please personalize portions… some prefer it more creamy, and some prefer it more sweet Only your individual taste buds know for sure when it is ‘just right!’
2. Awesome Budget Mocha “Home or Road Style”
INGREDIENTS:
- 8oz cup: your favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- 2 teaspoons: bulk cocoa powder (no sugar).
- 2 to 3 teaspoons: favorite steamed half & half.
- Again, 2 to 3 teaspoons: organic, raw or reg. brown sugar and/or organic honey and/or agave.
Optional: top with favorite homemade whipped cream.
DIRECTIONS:
Not awake yet? The Awesome Budget Mocha is a quick recipe for A.M. success.
First, brew favorite coffee and fill half of coffee mug with hot coffee. Next, add and MIX thoroughly the cocoa powder and sweetener, as they mix well in hot coffee. Then, add the cold cream or milk AFTER the other ingredients are nicely mixed in.
Taste your drink to check for the right temperature and blend of ingredients, then simply adjust to liking. If a little cold, re-heat or microwave. Now add optional whipped cream topping and ENJOY!
3. Cinnamon Choo Choo – the Steam Engine that Could
Sometimes the standard caffeine falls short for those with a less than awesome metabolism. One of the cool household items that can give a natural boost to the metabolism is a somewhat common spice that often gets left on the shelf. Let’s get a move on this recipe!
INGREDIENTS:
- 8oz cup: your favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- 1 or 2 teaspoon(s): high quality or organic ground cinnamon (optional cinnamon stick).
- 1 or 2 tablespoons: steamed milk whipped in a sauce pan / or sub. with almond milk.
- 2 or 1 teaspoons: agave natural sweetener (suggest organic or bulk).
DIRECTIONS:
This is a simple, quick mix to get you on the move in the A.M., especially if you have a slow metabolism. The key here is to mix both the cinnamon and the sweetener into the hot coffee immediately; otherwise the cinnamon and some sweeteners tend to make clumps… and who wants clumps in their coffee? After the successful mix, add in your favorite cream or milk; note the almond milk combines an interesting flavor when combining to the cinnamon.
4. Vanilla-Moo-Mocha
Technically, it is FRENCH Vanilla. Parlez vous Francais? If you are a French language expert, please drop me an email to correct any spelling or grammar. Without the “French” in the vanilla, according to Chef Spouse-Anonymous, this drink becomes uncivilized. So, please use the “French Vanilla” ice cream to prevent any world wars.
This drink mixes up fast, and is great if you are in a hurry… or just need to practice your French.
INGREDIENTS:
- Roughly ½ coffee mug full: favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- 1-2 teaspoons: bulk cocoa powder (no sugar).
- 1-2 teaspoons: raw or brown sugar /or organic honey and/or agave -awesome choice.
- 1 to 2 scoops: creamy French vanilla ice cream.
DIRECTIONS:
Honestly, this is a heavenly yet simple drink to make. Using a quality, creamy FRENCH VANILLA ice cream seems to raise the quality of this drink (Trader Joe’s brand is one fine choice!) with no high fructose corn syrup (sugar only).
You simply serve the ice cream to your mug, and then gently pour in your favorite coffee, leaving a nice froth on top, then serve. Check the temperature as you may need to make a minor heat adjustment to your awesome drink. (O.k. to use microwave very briefly if needed).
Now add a few pinches of cocoa powder to embellish the French vanilla topping and…
Enjoy (French) Vanilla-Moo-Mochaa!
5. Peppermint Stargazer
This little number will give you a telescopic view on flavor! The Peppermint Stargazer is out of this world!
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ mug: your favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- 1 teasp: pure vanilla extract.
- ½ cup: your favorite peppermint ice cream.
- 1 or 2 tablespoons: whipped cream.
- 1 sprig: fresh mint leaf.
DIRECTIONS:
Important note: do not, I repeat, do not eat the entire container of peppermint ice cream BEFORE making your Peppermint Stargazer coffee, no matter how ethical it may seem at the time.
First pour favorite coffee into a mug about half to three quarters full. Next add in and stir the pure vanilla extract… don’t over portion this or it gets weird. Next, add the awesome peppermint ice cream; I suggest stirring in one scoop as a creamer, than adding the second medium size scoop as a topping… slowly stirred to froth. Add a small amount of whipped cream on top (optional).
Embellish with a sprig of fresh mint.
Step outside, gaze upwards and drink up! You deserve it!
6. Chocolate Crème De Cocoa Wookie over Ice!
WOW! A yummy adult drink, by adults, for adults. Double the caffeine, double the fun… and did we mention it includes Crème de Cocoa Wine? This is a keeper!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/3 to 1/2 glass: your favorite home coffee (regular or decaf) at room temperature or warmer.
- 1 cup: cubed or crushed ice.
- ½ cup or less: cream or half and half or favorite portion size.
- ½ glass: crème de cocoa wine “Chocolate Shop” brand, or sub w/ Kahlua or similar.
DIRECTIONS:
This awesome drink is best served with the right ingredients. Specifically, finding “Chocolate Shop” brand “Crème de Cocoa wine” may be a little difficult to find; this is a fantastic product, although you may have to look for it online. First add the ice in your glass and pour in a half glass of your favorite cooled down coffee. Next add the crème de cocoa wine (or substitute). Then add in some crème or half and half over the ice. Take a moment to let this drink chill over ice.
7. Kappa Chocolate Peanut butter Cup
Alas, all is well when sampling one of the most intoxicating flavor combos in this century! So, what if this takes you back to early childhood. If you happen to enjoy this drink in the midst of mature audiences, just mumble a few adult sounding phrases while sipping this adolescent mindblower.
INGREDIENTS:
- 8oz cup: your favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- 1/4 to 1/8 mug: half & half or milk, or almond milk!
- 1 piece: peanut butter cup (Reese’s brand-popular).
- 1 pinch: cocoa powder topping or chocolate sprinkles or chocolate syrup (optional).
- One spoon: whipped cream topping (optional).
DIRECTIONS:
First, prepare the secret peanut butter cup for mixing by smashing or grinding up this ingredient on a cutting board (or in a hurry?, smash with a fork in your mug). Next poor in favorite coffee when it is hot, as this will melt the ingredients. Then add in desired amount of cream, half & half, or milk. Optionally, toss a little cocoa powder and/or whipped cream as a topper. A+ is the grade here!
8. Mint Chip Mocha Supreme
Time for a cold or hot REFRESHING drink that is hard to beat!
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ mug: favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- ½ to 1 teaspoon: pure vanilla extract – don’t over portion.
- Favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream (½ cup).
- 1 or 2 tablespoons: whipped cream.
- 1 to 3 sprigs: fresh mint leaves.
DIRECTIONS:
First pour your favorite coffee into your mug about half to three quarters full. Next add in and stir the pure vanilla extract… don’t over portion this or it gets weird. Next, add mint-chocolate chip ice cream; I suggest stirring in one scoop as a creamer, than adding the second scoop as a topping… slowly stirred to froth. Add a small amount of whipped cream on top (optional).
Embellish with a topping of fresh mint leaves.
COLD VERSION: Use roughly half glass of coffee to half glass of mint chip ice cream before adding additional ingredients.
9. Eggnog Holiday Hustle
INGREDIENTS:
- 2/3 to ½ mug: your favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- 1/3 to ½ mug: eggnog – regular or low fat.
- 1/8 teaspoon or pinch: cinnamon – adjust to liking.
- 1/8 teaspoon or pinch: nutmeg – adjust to liking.
DIRECTIONS:
This awesome drink is fast to make and is great for those holiday rush schedules. First, pour your favorite coffee into a mug; use 2/3 cup of coffee if you are a coffee lover, add the eggnog and toppings.
OR if eggnog is the preferred dominate flavor, reverse the above, by pouring 2/3 of mug with eggnog and then add only 1/3 mug of coffee. Now, put a pinch of cinnamon and/or a pinch of nutmeg on top, and you are on your way! Do The Hustle!
10. Pumpkin Spice Harvest
So, maybe you have you heard about Pumpkin Pie Flavored Sauce or syrup. One product is made by Torani, the maker of flavored syrups for Italian sodas? Well they have a product that comes in about a 16 oz. squeezable bottle that is a great option for the holidays and beyond!
INGREDIENTS:
- 8oz cup: your favorite home coffee (regular or decaf).
- 3 teaspoons: your favorite steamed half & half.
- 3 teaspoons: pumpkin syrup or sauce – (used Torani brand Pumpkin Pie Flavored Sauce).
- Pinch – about 1/16 teaspoon: cinnamon powder as a topping (and/or mix in).
- 2-4 teaspoon: whipped cream as an optional topping as desired.
DIRECTIONS:
Right about October, many of us get a sudden urge for pumpkin, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie and whipped cream or ice cream. Well now we can have that harvest flavor in our favorite holiday coffee.
Pour your favorite coffee into a mug, and then add the steamed milk or half & half. Next, squeeze in one or two squirts of Torani Pumpkin Pie Flavored Sauce and stir.
Taste for the level of pumpkin flavor that your heart desires, add a tiny bit more if needed. Stir, and then top it off with a pinch of cinnamon and a bit of whipped cream if desired. Yum. This could be an after dinner drink or maybe a nice warm up on a chilly winter morning.