Cozy Up With a Cup

By: Beth Pattman With colder weather fast approaching, it’s time to turn a new leaf and cozy up with a classic fall drink. Whether it’s pumpkin, vanilla, or cinnamon flavors that make your taste buds sing, these DIY versions of your favorite fall drinks will be sure to warm you and your soul. You may already have most of the ingredients tucked away in your cabinets, so just a few necessary additions won’t break the bank. Pick your poison and prepare to relax.

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Serves: 1

Prep Time: 4 minutes

Ingredients:

6 ounces boiling water

1 to 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder

½-cup milk

¼-teaspoon ground cinnamon

½-tablespoon light brown sugar

½-teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch of ground nutmeg

Whipped cream and ground cinnamon for garnish

Directions:

1. Stir the espresso powder into the hot water and set aside.
2. In a glass measuring cup, combine milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla and nutmeg; stir until thoroughly combined.
3. Place in microwave and cook for 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until the milk starts to froth up.
4. Remove from microwave and stir again.
5. Place in microwave for an additional 30 seconds, or until the milks starts to froth up again.
6. Remove from microwave. While stirring the espresso, slowly pour the milk mixture into the coffee.
7. Top with whipped cream and garnish with cinnamon.

Vanilla Chai Tea

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup dry milk

1 cup dry non-dairy creamer

1 cup dry non-dairy vanilla creamer

2½ cup sugar

1½ cup unsweetened instant tea mix

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground cloves

1 teaspoon cardamom

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

Directions:

1. Mix all of the ingredients together and store in an airtight container or a mason jars.
2. To serve, mix 2-3 heaping tablespoons of tea mix for an average-sized coffee cup 3/4 full of hot water.

*Money saving tip: some of these spices can be substituted for a store bought Chai tea mix that already includes them

Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

½ cup pureed pumpkin

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons brown sugar

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Dash of ginger powder

¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate

Whipped cream (optional)

Coconut flakes (for garnish)

Directions:

1. Heat milk in a pan on low until it’s warm
2. Stir pumpkin puree into milk
3. Add sugar, ginger powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract and whisk together
4. Add chocolate and stir together for about 7 minutes
5. Serve topped with whipped cream, coconut flakes and sprinkles of nutmeg